Fewer decks are better for blackjack players

(Credit: stefanx80) 

Any time the number of decks in blackjack play is increased, the casino's edge goes up slightly. Compared to a single deck, a two-deck game handicaps your play by 0.35%, four decks by 0.48%, six decks by 0.54% and eight decks by 0.58%. It is always to your advantage to play a game that offers the fewest decks. 

As for the effect of the continuous shuffle machine, it actually lowers the house edge because you get an honest random shuffle, enabling you to play with a fresh shoe every hand. A shuffle machine in a one-deck game ups your advantage by 1.13%, two decks by 0.63%, four decks by 0.34%, six decks by 0.20% and eight decks by 0.14%.

But be warned: The reduced house edge is canceled out by the increased speed of the game. Dealers do not waste time manually shuffling. From the casino's perspective, shuffling is time, and time is money. The more hands you are dealt per hour, the deeper the built-in casino advantage drills into your bankroll.

What to do? Continue to play each hand correctly by using perfect basic strategy, at the lowest table limit you can find, with the fewest decks possible. These conditions force the dealer to shuffle more, which, with smart play, keeps your exposure to the casino's edge at a minimum.

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