How does the house edge relate to the concept of card counting in Blackjack, and why is card counting not effective in Baccarat?

[Huego213]

The house edge in Baccarat and card counting in Blackjack are two different ways casinos maintain an advantage. Here's why card counting doesn't work in Baccarat:
* Independent Rounds: In Baccarat, each hand is dealt from a shuffled shoe, making card history irrelevant. Unlike Blackjack, where cards are not replaced, past hands don't affect the probability of future hands.
* Predetermined Drawing Rules: Baccarat uses fixed rules for when the Banker and Player draw third cards. This predictability eliminates the opportunity to gain an edge by tracking high or low cards.

 

[CR7]

The 1-3-2-6 system and the Martingale system are indeed popular advanced betting strategies in Baccarat, but both have inherent risks due to the nature of their progression and the underlying math involved.

Let's delve deeper into why these strategies come with notable risks:

1. **1-3-2-6 System:**
- *Risk of Bankroll Depletion:* While the 1-3-2-6 system aims to take advantage of winning streaks by progressively increasing bets, a prolonged losing streak can quickly wipe out your funds. Since the system relies on the assumption of winning consecutive hands to capitalize on the progression, any extended losing streak can result in significant financial losses.

2. **Martingale System:**
- *Exponential Bet Increase:* The Martingale system involves doubling your bet after each loss with the expectation of eventually recovering losses and making a profit when you win. However, the exponential growth in bet sizes can lead to rapid escalation in stakes, particularly during extended losing streaks. This puts your bankroll at risk, especially considering that casinos have betting limits that can prevent you from continually doubling your wagers after multiple losses.
- *Unsustainable Long-Term:* The Martingale system's flaw lies in its assumption of unlimited funds and the absence of constraints like table limits. In reality, most players have finite bankrolls and encounter betting limits at casinos, making it unsustainable to keep doubling bets indefinitely to chase losses.

In both cases, while these strategies aim to provide a structured approach to betting and potentially capitalize on variations in outcomes, they carry substantial risks that can lead to financial losses if not managed carefully. It's crucial for players to understand the limitations and probabilities associated with these progressive betting systems when implementing them in Baccarat.

 

[swift]

I think concept of card counting in Blackjack is based on the idea of reducing the house edge. The house edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player. In Blackjack, when a player counts cards, they can keep track of the concentration of high-value cards in the deck. If there are more high-value cards left

 

[Datweirdo]

Baccarat's design limits the effectiveness of card counting, as players mainly bet on the results of hands with little decision-making involved. The game relies heavily on luck and typically uses multiple decks, making it challenging to gain a strategic advantage. Thus, while card counting is an effective strategy in blackjack, it is not applicable in baccarat due to the game's greater simplicity and reliance on chance.

 

[Killman2002]

In Blackjack, the house edge can fluctuate as the deck composition changes. Card counting helps players keep track of the ratio of high to low cards left in the deck.
In Baccarat, however, the house edge remains stable due to game rules and the limited impact of card sequences on the winning outcome.