Blackjack is one of the most popular games at casinos. Most players come for the social aspect of the game but stick around to try their hand at winning some money. Thus, if you’re looking to play blackjack, it’s important that you know how to play it.
There are many decisions to be made surrounding which hands to hit and stand on, but one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is whether or not to play with multiple decks. Before deciding which is best for you, let’s explore how playing with more than one deck changes the game.
How Multiple Decks Blackjack Works?
Multiple decks blackjack is a variant of live blackjack in which the house’s shoe contains more than one deck of cards. The multiple deck version was created because casinos found that they could avoid some costs associated with running a live casino by increasing the number of decks from 1 to 2 or more. Also, the casino only has to shuffle all their decks together instead of shuffling each individual deck individually.
The house edge is smaller in a multiple decks blackjack game because, among other things, the player is more likely to be dealt a blackjack. However, you have to take into consideration that if the initial deal is one card as opposed to two, then this results in a higher house edge.
The number of decks in play will also influence the house edge because as the number of decks increases, so does the house’s advantage.
The goal in multiple decks blackjack is to get as close as possible to 21 without going over. You can hit as many times as you want, unlike in single-deck blackjack, where the rules limit you to hit a maximum of three times.
Playing with More Decks Increases Your Odds of Winning
If you’re looking for an edge on the casino, playing with multiple decks for blackjack online is an effective way to improve your odds of winning. When you play with fewer decks, the dealer gets better hands between shuffles.
For example, if there are six decks dealt out of a shoe, the chances are great that the remaining 52 cards will be distributed evenly throughout those six decks. Conversely, when there are more decks, the remaining cards tend to be in clumps.
If you’re a card counter with a good understanding of when to hit and when to stand, playing multiple decks means greater gains when you have an edge.
To maximize your chances of winning, stick with a strategy that works well when playing with multiple decks.
The Best Blackjack Distribution is Four Decks
While there are many blackjack strategies for multiple decks available, they all tend to favour games with four decks. These games offer an advantage to the player while still being somewhat rare in casinos.
If you have a good understanding of multiple deck blackjack, or if you are learning how to play, it’s worth your time to seek out these games when they do appear. Knowing when to stand and when to hit well is important for any strategy, but it’s even more critical in games with multiple decks.
If you’re going to play blackjack online, either for fun or to try and win some money, it’s a good idea to understand the best blackjack strategies for multiple decks. Playing with fewer decks is traditionally thought of as a positive move for a player, especially if you’re a card counter. However, know that more decks can also be an advantage on your side.
Most experts consider four-deck blackjack the ideal distribution and provides you with the greatest chance of winning if you play using solid blackjack card counting methods.
Takeaway
If you’re playing for fun, any blackjack game is fine, even ones with four or more decks (six and eight deck blackjack variants are also sometimes available).
If you want to try and win some money, however, stick with the games that offer the best chance of a win. Most players come for the thrill of socializing while playing a game, but few realize that it takes a bit more knowledge to increase your odds at a win in a serious blackjack session.
