> Incidentally I didn't really win much
I've heard it said that the casinos encourage bad card counters, because someone who has a "system" that doesn't really work for them is going to lose even _more_ money playing. It's only when you start really winning that they care. The fact that you were obvious about it just made it easier for them to identify you once you won anything significant.
Re:The rising human cost of sports betting
by xapata on Tuesday February 01, 2022 @12:09AM
(#30158862)
The table limits prevent serious losses from card counting. Information has a cost. So long as the maximum bet isn't large enough (relative to the minimum bet), on average even a perfect card counter will lose money.
Re:The rising human cost of sports betting
by willis936 on Tuesday February 01, 2022 @12:01AM
(#30158819)
I've sat at $5 tables where an old dude was openly discussing the count with the dealer. I bet when he bet and made out okay.
Counting theory is really simple stuff. Everyone does it subconsciously. Almost everyone can learn the concept of sampling without substitution. Banning such basic math seems ridiculous, but highlights that the average player is not there to win. Gambling institutions are sad places.
Re:The rising human cost of sports betting
by slaymaker1907 on Tuesday February 01, 2022 @12:56AM
(#30159095)
I think almost any card game is going to have some element of card counting unless card counting is completely impossible. It's like trying to play poker while ignoring the psychological elements of the game.
Interestingly, if the player doesn't maintain a proper betting strategy, he will have a considerable risk of ruin even in a player advantaged game. In a game with a 10% player edge, 28% of players managed to go bust[1]. Given the large number of rounds of betting for blackjack, without a good betting strategy, even players that count their way to a 2-3% edge are probably still going to make the casino money.
The downtown Casinos are much more uptight about advantage play, but I think that's because a lot of the pit bosses are old school and they just hate the idea of a player supposedly putting one over on them.
[1] https://neilhacker.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/kelly-criteri...