Counting cards is an ability that is employed by players of card games to obtain an edge by tracking cards which have been used. This gives the gambler a concept of the sum of cards, which have to be dealt with. Card counting is a skill that has more use in blackjack than in other card game.

In 21, a gambler has an advantage when the remaining deck contains "high cards." High cards could be faces and aces. The counter in the casino takes advantage of these opportunities by placing bigger bets, as and when they happen. Many accomplished gamblers use the composition of the shoe to change their overall course of action. Fairly new gamblers occasionally experience problems while engaged in rapid card counting and could be prone to errors, when it comes to handling dealt decks. Vingt-et-un card counting is a business on its own. Millions are made or spent, both by the gamblers and the gambling halls, depending on card counting schemes in use.

Technology has made its presence known on counting cards too, with refined computing power affecting the complete activity. Long-established players however swear that a card counting plan of greater complexity is more prone to error, evening out the added accuracy allowed by the application of technology. Anyone can dig up many plans for chemin de fer card counting by going web sites dedicated to the game. With the game increasing in appeal in gambling dens around the world, there are newer game plans being created every other day. One can find literally hundreds of Web sites sharing with you hints on counting cards and the overall plan to earn money through chemin de fer.