Blackjack has always been a casino favourite. It is exciting because of its combination of strategy, ability, and chance. Yet, within the past few years, live betting (wagering during the games as they are being played) has altered the way people gamble.
There is still one major question: can you still count cards when the casinos have automatic shufflers? Let’s break it down so that you can become the next pro and win huge rewards on 22Bet.
What Is Live Betting in Blackjack?
Live betting, otherwise known as in-play betting, allows the participant to modify their bets within the game. In classic blackjack, the bet is made before the cards are distributed, but in live betting, you may raise or decrease your stake depending on the cards that you see.
How Live Betting Changes the Game
- More Decisions: You can double down or split based on live action.
- Higher Stakes: Players may bet bigger when they see favourable cards.
- Faster Pace: Games move quickly, requiring sharp focus.
But the biggest change? Automatic shufflers.
The Role of Automatic Shufflers
Casinos have long fought against card counters. One way they do this? Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSMs) are devices that shuffle cards after every hand, making it nearly impossible to track.
How Shufflers Affect Card Counting
Card counting works by tracking high and low cards left in the deck. If many high cards remain, players bet more, but with a CSM:
- No Discard Pile: Cards go back into the shuffler immediately.
- No Predictable Patterns: Each hand is independent.
- No Advantage Play: Counting becomes useless.
Some casinos still use shoe games (multiple decks dealt before reshuffling). In these, counting can work… but live rounds add complications.
Can You Still Count Cards in Live Betting Blackjack?
The short answer? It depends.
If the Casino Uses a CSM: No
- Shufflers kill the count.
- Each hand is random.
- No way to gain an edge.
If the Casino Uses a Shoe: Maybe
- You can track cards.
- But live betting forces quick decisions.
- Dealers may shuffle early if they suspect counting.
Other Factors That Hurt Counters
- Faster Gameplay: Less time to calculate.
- More Decks: Some games use 8 decks or more.
- Casino Counterspying: Pit bosses watch for patterns.
The Psychology Behind It
Live betting is deeply psychological. The ability to adjust stakes mid-game triggers cognitive biases that can help or hurt parties.
A huge determinant is the ‘illusion of control’. People tend to think that they can impact game results and make fast decisions. It is more so in blackjack, where strategy comes into play. Live play feeds into this by letting players react to each card, creating a false sense of mastery.
Another psychological trap is “loss chasing.” People may increase bets impulsively after a losing streak, trying to recover, so halls play on this by offering side stakes and bonuses during live matches.
The confirmation bias is also involved, and when a person has won several hands after adjusting their wagers in real-time, they could come to an overestimation of their level and disregard luck. On the other hand, a losing streak may frustrate the situation and result in reckless behaviour. Knowledge of such decoys may enable you to be self-disciplined.