What is "penetration" and how does it affect counting cards?

Jonah

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Penetration in card counting refers to the percentage of the deck or shoe that has been dealt. The deeper the penetration, the more information a card counter has about the remaining cards, allowing for more accurate predictions. With greater penetration, a counter can make better decisions on when to bet more, especially if high cards are still left in the deck. Shallow penetration reduces the effectiveness of card counting, as there's less information available. Casinos often limit penetration to make card counting less profitable.
 
Exactly! Penetration is crucial for card counting because the more cards that have been dealt, the more accurately a counter can gauge which cards remain in the deck or shoe. By tracking the cards already played, a counter can adjust their betting and playing strategy based on the composition of the remaining deck. Casinos can control penetration by shuffling earlier or using more frequent shuffles to reduce the advantage of card counters. This is why skilled counters often seek out games with deeper penetration to maximize their advantage.
 
Penetration refers to the percentage of the deck or shoe that has been dealt in card games like Blackjack. It affects card counting by providing more information about the remaining cards. Deeper penetration offers a clearer picture of the deck’s composition, allowing card counters to adjust their bets and strategies more effectively. The more cards dealt, the greater the advantage for card counters, as it increases the accuracy of their calculations.
 
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