Multi-Deck Play in Blackjack

Over the past decade and especially in the last few years, the trend has been toward fewer single-deck games and more two, four, five, six, and even eight-deck games. There are several reasons the casinos have increased the number of multi-deck games.

In single-deck Blackjack, the dealer must shuffle every few hands if the table is full. This takes up time that could be profitably used for taking money from all the unskilled players. With multiple decks there is less shuffling, thus less wasted time. In addition, multiple-deck games can be dealt more quickly from a shoe (the rack that feeds the cards to the dealer), thus saving even more time.

There is less likely to be any cheating in multiple-deck games. A few marked cards in a single deck will make quite a difference; whereas, the effect is severely lessened as the number of decks is increased. Many of the games are dealt face up; the player never touches the cards, just signals his playing decisions by hand. Multiple decks also make it much more difficult for the dealer to deal "seconds," or to work in concert with a player against the house. The State of Nevada has granted some casinos licenses for multiple-deck play only, or for shoes used to hold cards (usually small casinos with four tables or less).

The Gaming Control Board does not have enough personnel to properly regulate all the 200+ unrestricted table games licensees in the State. Shoes tend to limit cheating, and so the Board assumes this will hold down its enforcement problems. The failure to increase personnel in this field is additional proof of the irresponsible and indefensible position of the State when it comes to protecting the public. Lastly, most casino personnel believe that it is virtually impossible for anyone to consistently win at multiple-deck games. Fortunately, they are quite mistaken. But it works to the system player's advantage for the casinos to think that they are completely safe from counters.

It is true that a four-deck game is less favorable to the Basic Strategy player. Basic Strategy in a single-deck game virtually nullifies the house advantage. In a four-deck game, however, the Basic Strategy player has a disadvantage of about 0.5%.

Multiple-deck is also less advantageous in that it requires a more sustained sense of concentration. It is therefore much easier for fatigue to take its toll and reduce accuracy.

With practice and diligence, however, these factors can be overcome so that multiple-deck play in Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, and other casino areas throughout the world will become quite profitable indeed.

Betting Spreads

You can increase your betting spread by a larger amount in a multiple-deck game. This does not have to be done in one fell swoop. The deck has a tendency to hold a rich or poor condition longer in a multiple-deck game so you can increase to say ten units when the deck becomes rich, then jump to 20 when it stays there or go to 40 if it continues to stay rich. Do not forget that you must be bankrolled for the maximum bet.