Card counting in blackjack and poker differs significantly because of the nature of each game. In blackjack, card counting is a technique used to track the ratio of high to low cards left in the deck, helping players adjust their bets to capitalize on favorable conditions against the dealer. It directly impacts the odds of winning and can give players an edge over the house. In contrast, poker card counting involves keeping track of which cards have been dealt to help gauge the strength of opponents' hands. While card counting can provide useful information, poker also relies heavily on psychological factors, such as reading opponents' behavior and betting patterns. So, in blackjack, card counting is more focused on optimizing betting based on deck composition, while in poker, it is just one aspect of a broader strategy that includes bluffing and analyzing opponents.