Card Counting

[Ducati]

Why is card counting illegal? Don't know how it works, and have never set foot in a casino in my life, but really don't see why this activity is illegal: if you have a talent to remember cards, and are not using any outside gadgets or influences, then where is the problem?

[Quizmonster]

It isn't actually illegal...it's simply that casinos automatically bar people they suspect of doing it. They are, however, not hauled off to the local police station.

There are code-systems which enable people who master them to keep track of which cards - even in multiple decks - have already been played. They are, therefore, aware of which cards remain to be played and the odds of their being, say, higher or lower. They can use this to swing the odds in their favour. Casinos, like bookies of every type, always insist that the odds remain in their own favour!

[Ducati]

Ah, I see. Thank you.

[brachiopod]

"... people they suspect of doing it [are] not hauled off to the local police station."

Though there are good odds on the suspected person taking a flying lesson out of the rear doors, followed by a quick game of human football with those rather large blokes with dickie-bows.

[Quizmonster]

Absolutely, Brachiopod, but then the dickie-bow-boys are the ones breaking the law!

[landie]

And the bones.