Strategy and blackjack decks

The majority of blackjack playershave heard the adage that the fewer, the better is the case in regard to the number of decks being used in a game of blackjack, though considerably fewerof them really understand why this is the case.

After all, as many players have pointed out,including those whoplay the game at the best NJ online casino sites, which offer a multitude of online games and bets including blackjack and poker, the proportion of the rank of an individual card is exactly the same regardless of whether it comes from one deck or one of six decks.

Although the initial card proportions may seem to be equal, the reality is that more blackjacks will be dealt to the player in games that are played with fewer decks,and double downs will also be more successful – but how can this be the case?

Statistically, it does not seem to add up.

The reason is that the removal of cards has a greater amount of impact on games that are played with fewer decks.

Blackjacks and single decks

There is a 4.83% probability of having a blackjack drawn from a single deck.

From two decks, the probability falls to 4.78%, and when six decks are in play, the probability falls still further to as low as just 4.75%.

Double downs are also impacted by the same effect.

If an initial hand is doubled to reach 11 in total, there is a greater likelihood that a face card will be drawn to result in a total of 21 if there are fewer decks being used in a game.

Of course, these changes are also of benefit to the dealer. However, a dealer just gets even money, while a winning player gets 3:2 for blackjack.

In double-down hands, such as the example above, the player will win double the initial bet, which means that the player gets more handsome rewards even if the dealer gets the same amount of good hands.

The downsides of playing with a single deck

Playing with fewer decks is not all good news for players as the same reasons responsible for the above advantages also mean that that fewer hands of 20 will be dealt in a game.

The moment the first card that is a 10in value is removed, it just leaves 15 10-value cards in the 51 remaining cards in a single deck, meaning that the odds are actually better – 31 out of 103 – when playing with two decks.

Of course, the impact here again hits both player and dealer equally, making little difference to either’s chance of winning.

The bottom line is that playing with single decks gives players the overall best chance of victory in a game of blackjack, and while regular players will always have their own strategies and ways of thinking, this choice should always be the preferred option for the majority of players to choose from wherever possible.