Card counting is a well-known approach often associated with games like blackjack, and while it isn’t illegal, it’s something casinos take seriously. Understanding how they detect and respond to card counting can offer useful insight into how casino security and game monitoring work.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the rules surrounding card counting, why casinos work to prevent it, and the methods they use to identify those who may be using the approach.
Do Casinos Care If You Count Cards?
While card counting isn’t illegal in the UK, it’s something most casinos take seriously and often prohibit in their terms and conditions.
Even though it doesn’t break any laws, both land-based and online casinos tend to act quickly if they suspect someone is counting cards. In a physical casino, if you are caught card counting, you may be asked to leave, while online, your account could be suspended or permanently closed.
Casinos generally view card counting as giving players an unfair edge, which is why it’s usually against their rules—even if it isn’t against the law.
Can A Casino Kick You Out For Counting Cards?
As mentioned earlier, card counting isn’t illegal—but that doesn’t mean casinos will overlook it. Breaking a casino’s house rules, which often include a ban on card counting, is something they take seriously.
If staff suspect you’re counting cards in a land-based casino, they can ask you to leave immediately. If you sign up to play—whether in person or online—you agree to follow the casino’s terms and conditions, which typically cover rules around gameplay strategies like this.
Online casinos take a similar approach. If they detect behaviour that suggests card counting, your account could be restricted or suspended.
How Do Casinos Catch Card Counters?
Casinos use a variety of methods to spot card counting, especially at blackjack tables. In some cases, they may even bring in individuals with card counting experience to quietly observe players for any suspicious behaviour—though this isn’t common in every venue.
Dealers also play a role. Many are trained to engage players in regular conversation, as card counters often need a high level of concentration. Chatting can make it harder to keep track of the cards, which can help disrupt counting efforts.
Casinos also pay close attention to betting behaviour. Sudden changes—like increasing the stake when the deck becomes favourable—can raise red flags. CCTV is used extensively to monitor tables and spot these kinds of patterns.
Some venues go a step further by using facial recognition technology to identify individuals who’ve previously been banned for card counting, helping to prevent them from re-entering unnoticed.
Can You Count Cards At An Online Casino?
Online blackjack generally comes in two forms: live dealer blackjack and automated (or RNG-based) blackjack. 
Live blackjack features a real dealer, streamed directly to a player’s device, allowing them to see each card as it’s dealt—much like in a land-based casino. Because the deck isn’t always reshuffled after every hand, card counting is technically possible in live blackjack, although it’s still extremely difficult and often discouraged by casino operators.
Automated blackjack works differently. These games use a Random Number Generator (RNG), and the virtual deck is reshuffled after every hand. This means there’s no way to track previous cards, making card counting virtually impossible.
So, while card counting might be an option in some live dealer games, it’s not something that works in automated versions—and either way, casinos have systems in place to monitor this kind of play.
How Do Online Casinos Stop Card Counting?
Online casinos, particularly in live dealer blackjack, have several measures in place to make card counting extremely difficult.
One of the most effective tools is the Continuous Shuffling Machine (CSM), which mixes used cards back into the deck after each round. This constant reshuffling breaks any sequence, leaving card counters with little to work with.
Many live blackjack games also use multiple decks and may switch them out before a full shoe is played, further reducing the chance of tracking cards effectively.
At busier tables, sometimes an additional dealer prepares new shoes while the main game continues. This fast-paced environment, with cards regularly rotated and replaced, makes it hard to maintain an accurate count.
If a player is suspected of using card counting techniques, the casino has the right to restrict or close their account—similar to what happens in land-based venues.
These practices highlight how much effort goes into protecting the fairness of the game, making card counting a highly challenging—and increasingly ineffective—strategy in modern online casinos.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.