Is It Important to Count Cards in Poker Games & How to Do It?

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Loading ...

Jeffrey | Poker Strategy

Card counting is a popular strategy in blackjack games. Does it apply to poker, though, and can it be used to the same extent?

In many ways, poker is different from blackjack, though it has only one reason why card counting has to be done differently there. The main reason for that is the fact that the poker deck is shuffled after every single round.

Due to this, poker players can’t count cards the way they do in blackjack. It’s because the same ones may occur again after just a single round, so counting the ones from the previous round does no good.

However, there are some alternatives to this kind of strategy instead. In a way, you can still keep track of the played and folded cards on the same round. That’s what we’ll talk about in this post.

How Important is Keeping Track of Cards in Poker?

Simply put, if you want to win, you’ll have to pay attention to all the face-up cards in the game. Discarded ones are also very important.
Attentiveness to these cards is crucial for every pro poker player and even an amateur. Doing this essentially allows narrowing down the possible outcomes at any time during the game.

Therefore, you’ll find it much easier to predict your chances of success and failure and make better decisions. On the other hand, if you don’t learn to count the known cards, you’ll give this advantage away to your opponents.

Check out all the poker strategies as mentioned on Fortune Frenzy.

How to Count Cards in Poker Games?

First of all, you’ll need to keep track of all the cards face-up, such as:
• Community Cards
• Folded Cards
• Door Card
• Up Cards

Depending on the poker type, you need to consider all the information that’s visible to you. You should immediately forget all these cards after the round is over.

However, as long as it lasts, remembering all the discarded cards, as well as up-face cards still in play, is necessary.

Next, evaluate your own hand and determine which combinations would favour your hand. Compare all the possible outcomes for your hand based on the cards you know and the outcomes that satisfy you.

In other words, see what kinds of poker combinations you may have with your pocket cards and/or community cards. By discarding the cards that aren’t in the deck, you can have a much better time determining this.

Strategy for All Poker Games

No matter the poker type, this strategy can be used to some extent at all times. This includes all the variations and game types, namely:
• Texas Hold’em
• Caribbean Stud
• 7 Card Stud
• Omaha
• Hi-Lo Poker
• And any other

If you want to become a professional player, you’ll need to know much more than that, of course. Yet for a novice, card counting strategy is perhaps the most important skill.

It will also help you manage your bankroll better, as you’ll have better odds to win without bluffing. So, learn to count the cards quickly and you’ll be an unstoppable force at any poker table.

Special promotions

Poker Pro Bankroll Series

Latest Poker Strategy Articles

Contact PokerBankrollBlog

Questions? Concerns? Comments? Contact us! We'll return your email within 12 hours.