Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, and the number of decks used can make a big difference to your playing experience. There are single deck, double deck and four, six and eight deck versions of the game available in casinos across the world. While the number of decks used in a Blackjack game does not directly impact the rules, it can affect the house edge and your chances of winning.
How Many Decks Do Casinos Use?
In land-based casinos, Blackjack is usually played with a single deck. However, in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, you will find tables that use multiple decks. The most common number of decks in a casino is eight. This is enough for most players to win, but it does mean that the casino has a slightly higher house edge than single-deck games.
The Most Common Deck Sizes In Online and Live Dealer Blackjack
When you play live dealer games, you will usually see 6-8 decks of cards. These cards are shuffled automatically as they are dealt. Some casinos will even shuffle the deck as it is being dealt and reshuffle it again as you play. This is a good way to avoid any delays that are often associated with single-deck games in a live setting.
The Most Common Decks in Blackjack at Land-Based and Live Dealer Casinos
In most brick-and-mortar casinos, you will find six to eight decks of cards. This is a good standard for most casinos, but there are also some that offer more decks than that.
These are mainly located in high-limit or high-risk games. They are designed to maximize profits for the casino. The more decks in a shoe, the smaller the number of cards that can be counted in the shoe and the harder it is for card counters to catch up.
A major disadvantage of playing with multiple decks is that you don’t know what card you are playing with. This can make it difficult to keep track of your cards and make sure you don’t overplay your hand.
You can also run the risk of losing your hand because you don’t have enough cards left in the deck. This can be particularly troublesome if you have a winning hand and are waiting to bet.
The Most Common Deck Sizes in Blackjack at Live Dealer Casinos
When you play live dealer games, you are dealing with a real dealer. They will deal the cards in a shoe with six to eight decks of cards. This gives you a more authentic experience when playing blackjack.
This is because it is easier for the dealer to see the cards that have been played. The number of decks in a shoe will also influence the likelihood of getting certain hands, such as a flush or a straight.
In addition, the number of decks in a shoe can affect how many tens or picture cards are in the deck. This can be a big advantage for the casino, as you are more likely to get a blackjack when there are a lot of tens or picture cards in the shoe. This can help you beat the house edge and win more money.