Blackjack card counting has long been employed by skilled players to gain an edge over the casino. However, the introduction of Continuous Shuffle Machines (CSMs) has made this dark art nearly impossible. 

Card counting is forbidden in many brick-and-mortar casinos, where players face the risk of being kicked out if they’re caught. In spite of this, many players continue to implement this type of strategy while playing blackjack when opting to play casino table games.

Explore how CSMs are used to prevent card counting, take a look at their prevalence in land-based casinos and ultimately contemplate whether CSMs can still be beaten.

Different Card Counters Used by the House

So, what is card counting? It is a strategy used in live dealer blackjack where players keep track of the relative proportion of high-value to low-value cards remaining in the deck. By doing so, they can make more informed decisions on their bets, increasing their chances of winning. 

It may take a while before casino staff notice card counters, so casinos have taken additional measures to prevent such practices with the introduction of card-counting machines. There are three types of card counters used by casinos.

The Shoe

Any blackjack game with more than two decks will be dealt from a shoe. Shoe games are said to be completely beatable by card counting. However, the increased number of decks decreases the advantage of the game. 

Random/Automatic Shuffle Machines

This is a random card shuffling machine that takes all the cards (i.e., all six decks or eight decks) and shuffles them together. The dealer then takes the full stack of cards, has a player cut, then puts it into a shoe and deals. These machines don’t seem to worry card counters too much. 

Continuous Shuffle Machines (CSMs)

If a dealer deals out a few rounds, then takes the used cards and puts them into a machine that they are continually taking cards out of, then they are using a CSM. These machines continually shuffle together three to five decks, making it impossible to predict what types of cards are left in the shoe.

How CSMs Ruin Card Counting for Players

A key factor ensuring successful card counting is deck penetration. However, to achieve deck penetration, you will need most of the shoe to be dealt in the game. With CSMs, you will have a quarter of the shoe discarded at best, with three-quarters of the cards still remaining in the shoe when it is reshuffled by the device.

Traditional card counting techniques have relied on tracking the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck to make informed betting decisions. CSMs continuously shuffle the cards after each hand, effectively eliminating any deck penetration and resetting the count.

By constantly reintroducing all the cards into the shuffle, CSMs make it extremely difficult for players to gain any meaningful advantage. The continuous shuffling process leaves no room for the count to become sufficiently positive or negative, rendering card counting ineffective.

Widespread CSM Use in Land-Based Casinos

CSMs have gained popularity in land-based casinos for a number of reasons. Firstly, they increase the speed of the game, allowing more hands to be played per hour, resulting in higher revenue for the house. 

Secondly, CSMs provide added security against card marking or dealer/player collusion, as the cards are constantly shuffled and remain unseen by players. As a result, many casinos have opted to use CSMs on their casino table games and they are now a common sight on the casino floor.

Card counting at a live dealer online casino is extremely difficult, thanks to the use of Random Number Generators (RNGs,) which randomly reshuffle the deck after each turn (RNGs are also used in jackpot slots and online slots.) Card counters are generally more successful playing at a land-based casino with a real-life dealer and a physical deck of cards.

Can CSMs Still Be Beaten?

While CSMs seem to be making traditional card-counting strategies obsolete, there are alternative approaches that players can employ. Some experts suggest focusing on other aspects of the game, such as mastering basic strategy and using progressive betting systems. 

By maximizing the efficiency of their play and taking advantage of favorable rules, players can still aim to reduce the house edge. It is even said that using a type of 16-card window counting system can beat the game against a CSM. 

What Do the Pros Say?

Professional players and Blackjack Hall of Fame members have weighed in. Their sentiments indicate that CSMs are not making card counting obsolete. 

Some casinos put CSMs on their smaller tables, which customers don’t seem to mind all that much, but when casinos put them on the high tables, there is generally significant patron resistance. 

Either way, more players are said to be making upper-five figures or six figures from card counting these days. That is due to there being more and more opportunities for players to make profits over time or what the gambling world calls positive expected value (EV.)

Play Blackjack With Borgata Online

It is worth noting that not all casinos have completely abandoned traditional shoe-dealt games. Some establishments still offer these games, presenting opportunities for skilled card counters to practice their craft. Ultimately, it’s wise to remember that many venues frown on the practice; if you count cards, your gaming may end up curtailed. 

So why not enjoy the game for what it is? An opportunity to relax, have fun and maybe win some hands. To do this, register at an online game casino like Borgata Online, where safety and security remain a priority. You’ll have access to the vast selection of blackjack varieties, online slots, live dealer table games and other gaming choices. You can also read various guides and game reviews on the blog.