Casino blackjack how many decksWhen my bride & I first started our career of casino blackjack how many decks going to the casinos blackjack was our game of choice. How many decks are used in blackjack at a casino Mobile and Applications Casinos usually use 6 or 8 decks for most games, and sometimes in high stakes games use only 2 decks. Due to differences in the number of decks, the odds and house advantage varies.

1. Blackjack Odds Table
2. How Many Decks Are Used In Blackjack In Vegas
3. Single Deck Blackjack
4. How Many Decks Are Used In Blackjack In Vegas
5. How Many Card Decks Are Used In Blackjack
6. How To Beat Blackjack Online

• Appendices
• Miscellaneous
• External Links

Introduction

In playing blackjack online one problem I often face is not knowing how many decks are being used. This is a particular problem with Real Time Gaming casinos. The help files often do not indicate this rule, as well as other rules, and customer support are notorious for giving incorrect information on their own rules. So I devised a test to help determine the number of decks. This test is based on the player's first two cards and the dealer's first two.

The following table shows the probability for various configurations of the initial four cards in blackjack. Note the probabilites for a suited pair. Of all the hands I feel this is the best to test for, given both it's frequency and correlation to number of decks.

4-Card Hand	1 deck	2 decks	4 decks	6 decks	8 decks
4 singletons	0.676110	0.63692	0.618504	0.612530	0.609573
Non-suited pair	0.304250	0.286614	0.278327	0.275638	0.274308
Suited pair	0.047769	0.069582	0.076566	0.080006
Two non-suited pairs	0.010372	0.009771	0.009488	0.009397	0.009351
Two suited pairs	0.000271	0.000593	0.000725	0.000796
Two pair - 1 suited	0.003257	0.004744	0.00522	0.005455
3 of a kind - 3 suits	0.009220	0.008685	0.008434	0.008353	0.008312
3 of a kind - 2 suits	0.006514	0.009488	0.010441	0.010910
3 of a kind - 1 suit	0.000527	0.000773	0.000909
4 of a kind - 4 suits	0.000048	0.000045	0.000044	0.000044	0.000043
4 of a kind - 2 suits (3&1)	0.000033	0.000048	0.000057
4 of a kind - 2 suits (2&2)	0.000017	0.000037	0.000045	0.000050
4 of a kind - 3 suits	0.000136	0.000198	0.000218	0.000227
4 of a kind - 1 suit	0.000001	0.000002	0.000003
Total	1	1	1	1	1

To determine the number of decks in an online blackjack game keep a tally of both the total number of hands played and the number of suited pairs. Only count a hands as a suited pair if the other two are singletons. For example one suited pair and one non-suited pair does not count. In a single deck game the ratio of suited pairs to total hands will obviously be zero. In double deck this ratio will be about 4.8%. In a 4-deck game the ratio increases to 7.0%. After that the differences are too subtle are to tell without a gigantic sample.

Of course if you ever notice three of the same card on the screen at once that rules out a double deck game immediately. Despite my lack of faith in customer support knowing their own rules I would suggest at least asking. If they give you an incorrect answer, and you can prove it, you may get some free money in your account as a way of thanks. This has happened to me several times.

Unfortunately it takes a fairly large sample size to have confidence in the number of decks between 2 and 4. After 250 hands the probability that the sample mean in a 2-deck game will be greater than 6.96% (the 4-deck theoretical mean) is 5.29%. Likewise the probability that the sample mean in a 4-deck game will be less than 4.78% (the 2-deck theoretical mean) is 8.76%. Increasing the sample size to 500 these numbers become 1.11% and 2.76%. At 1000 the numbers are 0.06% and 0.34%.

Blackjack Odds Table

Written by: Michael Shackleford

Blackjack is one of the popular card games, which is available in various traditional and online casinos. Many beginners do not have any idea about the number of decks used in this activity. Blackjack puts an impact on the house edge, as well as cards.

If you want to learn this game, it is essential to know basic concepts about it. You must know how many cards are required to play it. Many online casinos like www.slotsheaven.com allow you to play Blackjack with free spins and all the necessary instructions. If you do not know how to initiate, you can easily read the instructions and start playing.

In the following write-up, we will discuss how many decks of cards casinos are using for this game. We will assume it for most of the casinos to get a rough idea of Blackjack. If we consider the game technically, then there is no such thing.

How Many Decks Are Used In Blackjack In Vegas

There are plenty of variations, which require different decks of cards. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how many a deck of 52 cards in Blackjack is used. Let us discuss this in detail.

Number of Decks Required to Play the Game

Generally, if you want to involve yourself in a decent activity, you can start with only 21 cards. In most of the casinos, there are usually 6 to 8 decks used. All the 52 cards are included, and joker cards are excluded. Therefore, you have to choose the right variation to play it with your estimated number of decks.

There are plenty of variations, but you have to understand them before you start playing. You must know how to play with a high number of cards altogether. Experienced players know how to deal with a large number of decks.

How It Affects the House Edge?

Single Deck Blackjack

If we consider the game of 21 cards, then the estimated house edge is relatively less than 1%. There are specific rules that you must follow. There is a difference in the house edge, and it can vary as per the number of decks. It is found that at least 0.5% of the house edge is entirely reserved for some deck-based activities.

The instructions of the game make it player-friendly, and people follow them while initiating themselves in it. You have to remember one crucial thing, the more the number of decks, the more will be the house edge. Nowadays, players can get an extra advantage because of the rule’s change by various land-based casinos.

How Many Decks Are Used In Blackjack In Vegas

Many things are now removed, like low payouts, removing doubling of soft hands, change in the Blackjack rules, etc. If you are trying the game for the first time, it is necessary to take a few decks.

There are more chances of winning if you try out with a few cards. No player wants to lose the deal, and it is crucial to follow the rules and choose the best variation with more chances of winning.

How It Affects Card Counting?

The procedure of card counting in Blackjack is quite significant and crucial. Many players calculate cards for the deal to win in many ways. The main aim is to win big, no matter how it is possible. If you are not good at calculation, you must consider the game played with one deck. It does not require advanced mathematical calculations.
If you want to learn the technique of card counting, then you should explore various books or online platforms for in-depth knowledge. The counting of each card in the available decks is quite a difficult task for most casual players. It requires training, and one must master it. You must have patience and knowledge to do such a job.

Why Do Traditional Casinos Use Few Decks in Blackjack?

It was recently found that casinos near Australia play Blackjack with a single deck in the same format as that of a traditional 6-deck game. The house edge was the same in both cases, i.e., 1%. When many people knew how to play Blackjack, the procedure of card counting become popular.

The rules are made in such a way that it safeguards the house. Therefore, in the beginning, many casinos introduced the game with one deck with unfavorable rules, which players did not like. All the recreational punters switched off this activity, and that’s how high-deck games were introduced.

In this way, players became happy and satisfied with the game. They continue playing Blackjack with more chances of winning. But in some casinos, there are plenty of rules that are not player-friendly, including restricting splits, limits on bets, etc. There is no denying that many people benefit from the few deck games, no matter how unfair the rules.

The game was in favor of the players. Now, it is found that most of the dedicated and experienced players are switching to the online platforms to win more. There are more opportunities if you play online, including the favorable house edge.

How is Online Playing Beneficial?

Many of the online Blackjack games are played with six to eight decks of cards. If we talk about rules, then the rules are quite favorable to players. There are 21 variants, and a player is free to choose anyone as per his choice. You can play Blackjack with player-friendly rules with more chances of winning.

The Bottom Line

Now, the doubt of the number of decks used in Blackjack is quite clear. There are different variations, and a player can choose anyone with different rules. As a newbie, you have to learn different techniques and pick the right variation, in which you have more chances to win.

How Many Card Decks Are Used In Blackjack

The game is quite challenging for casual players because they do not calculate the house edge and may lose a lot. If you want to improve your chances of winning, it is better to start working on yourself.

How To Beat Blackjack Online

It does not matter whether you are investing your time in online or land-based casinos; you can win only when you choose the right variation of Blackjack.