Can Poker Players Count Cards? What You Need to Know

Many people have heard of “card counting” in blackjack, and some may wonder if the same idea can be used in poker. The two games might look similar because they both use standard playing cards, but they run on very different principles. 

This guide explains what card counting is and why it does not work in the same way in poker. It also looks at how poker players make decisions, what might actually give them an advantage, and what UK rules say about card counting and cheating. By the end, you will see how the two games differ and why poker is more about strategy and people than keeping track of cards.

What Does Counting Cards Actually Mean?

Card counting is a strategy connected with blackjack. Blackjack is played against the dealer, and the aim is to reach a total of 21, or as close as possible, without going over. Because the dealer draws cards from a shoe (a holder with multiple decks mixed together), players can try to keep track of which cards have already been dealt.

The most common approach is to assign simple values to groups of cards, then add or subtract from a running total as each card is revealed. If more high cards remain in the shoe, the count may look “favourable”. If more low cards remain, it may not. The purpose is to guide betting decisions based on what cards are still likely to come out.

This method does not predict the exact card that will appear. It only gives a rough idea of the balance between high and low cards. UK casinos take steps to make card counting less effective. For example:

• Many tables use multiple decks.
• Some tables use continuous shuffling machines, which mix cards back into play after each round.

Card counting is not illegal under UK law, but casinos can refuse service or ask a player to leave if they suspect it is happening. What is illegal is the use of devices or collusion, as that is considered cheating under the Gambling Act 2005.

Can You Count Cards in Poker?

Poker is a different game. Instead of playing against the dealer, you play against other people. In most casino games, such as Texas Hold’em, each hand starts with a new shuffle. Once the hand is finished, all the cards are gathered and reshuffled. This means there is no “running tally” from hand to hand as there is in blackjack.

In Texas Hold’em, every player gets two hidden “hole” cards. Up to five community cards are then dealt face up in the middle of the table. You can use the cards that are visible during the current hand to try and work out what might still be possible. 

For example, if you can see that two Kings are already out, then there can only be two left. But when the hand ends, those cards are mixed back into the deck. No information carries forward into the next deal.

In stud poker, some cards are dealt face up. Here, keeping track of what other players can see is part of normal play. Again, though, once the hand ends, everything resets.

So, while you can observe exposed cards during a single hand, poker does not allow you to track cards across hands in the way blackjack does.

How Poker Differs From Blackjack

Even though both games use the same cards, their mechanics are not the same. Some of the key differences include:

• Opponents: In blackjack you play against the dealer. In poker you play against other players.
• Goals: Blackjack aims for 21 or less. In poker you aim to make the strongest hand or use a betting strategy to try and win the pot.
• House role: The casino has a built-in edge in blackjack. In poker, the casino usually makes money by taking a “rake” (a small fee) from each pot.
• Card use: Blackjack uses a shoe across multiple rounds. Poker reshuffles the full deck after every hand.

Because of these differences, blackjack-style counting has no role in poker.

Why Counting Cards Does Not Work in Poker

The reason card counting fails in poker is simple: each hand starts fresh. You cannot track previous hands because the deck is reshuffled every time.

In Texas Hold’em, for example, the only useful information is what is visible in that single hand. You might calculate your “outs” (cards that could improve your hand) or notice which cards are already exposed. But once the pot is awarded and the cards are collected, the process begins again.

In stud poker, the same principle applies. You may observe what is showing during that hand, but nothing carries over between rounds.

In short, blackjack relies on the composition of the shoe across multiple rounds. Poker does not.

How Poker Players Gain an Edge Without Counting Cards

Poker is shaped by different elements that players often focus on to help guide their choices. Some of the most common are:

• Reading opponents: Watching how someone bets can suggest what type of hand they might hold.
• Bluffing: Acting strong when weak, or weak when strong, can potentially persuade others to fold or bet more.
• Position: Where you sit in relation to the dealer matters. Acting last (on the “button” in Hold’em) lets you see what others do first.
• Pot odds: This is comparing the size of the bet you face with the size of the pot. For example, if the pot is £100 and it costs you £10 to continue, you weigh the value of calling against your chance of winning.
• Bankroll management: Setting aside a budget for poker can help you choose the right stakes for you and avoid decisions that may be influenced by frustration.

These skills do not remove the element of chance. You cannot guarantee the outcome of a hand. 

Is Counting Cards Considered Cheating?

In the UK, the law makes a clear distinction. Using your memory or observing cards in play is not cheating. Using a device, working with others to share information, or tampering with the game is. Those actions are offences under the Gambling Act 2005.

Casinos also have the right to protect their games. Even though mental card counting is not illegal, they can refuse service if they think someone is trying to track cards in blackjack. Many use shuffling machines or multiple decks to make it harder.

In poker, observation is part of the game. What is not allowed is collusion, signalling to another player, or using any external aid to track cards.

Both blackjack and poker involve chance, and no system can guarantee success. If you choose to play, it can help to:

• Decide in advance how much money you are comfortable spending.
• Set a time limit before you begin.
• Remember that any game can potentially lead to both wins and losses.

The most important point is that gambling should only be for entertainment, never as a way to make money.

_{*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.}

_{**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.}