What you should know about shuffling in blackjack
Whether you’re an online blackjack player or a soon-to-be land-based pro, there are a few things you must know about Shuffling in Blackjack when picking a table to sit at.
The shuffler type, for example, can change the odds of the game you’ll play. So what should you know about Shuffling in Blackjack? Well, the 3 types of shuffling you’ll stumble on, hand shuffles, automatic shuffler machines (often referred to as ASM), continuous shuffling machines (often referred to as CSM). Each type has its perks and drawbacks. In the lines that follow, we’ll briefly discuss them.
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CSM – why most card counters avoid them and why you should too
The experts would tell you there is no way you’ll ever have an edge if you sit at a CSM table. You’ll quickly spot CSM blackjack games because of the structure of the escargot-like machine that replaces the traditional shoe. The CSM holds the cards and reshuffles them as the dealer “feeds it” every 5 or 6 hands. (Depending on the number of players at the table, of course.) In other words, they continually remix up to 5 decks.
Shuffling in Blackjack – The perks and drawbacks of CSM blackjack tables
Essentially, a blackjack table that uses CSM offers much faster gameplay. The dealer won’t remix the decks after reaching a certain depth since the machine takes care of that. However, the endless shuffle means that experience card counters can never hold an accurate count. Thus, the player’s edge is significantly reduced. So naturally, if you’re just starting to memorize the basic blackjack strategy chart, the CSM won’t affect you too much. Yet, as your skills progress, you should avoid these types of tables, if you can.
It’s also noted that the equivalent to CSM blackjack tables in online casinos is RNG-driven games. But live casino suppliers rarely offer this shuffling in live dealer games.
Manual shuffling – will your patience pay off?
Without a doubt, manually shuffled blackjack games aren’t all that speedy, especially if you’re playing at an 8 deck table. Did you know that it takes a dealer 3 minutes to mix 8 decks on average? Yet, because a human interacts with the cards. And players get to watch the dealer mix the cards in front of them. So the manual shuffling feels more trustworthy than CSM for some. Plus, card counters typically prefer Manual shuffling and ASM as they favor holding the true count. You’ll spot manual shuffled tables because they’ll boast a traditional layout. Hence, a standard shoe will sit on the table. And so will a discarded card pile.
But at this stage, we feel that players should know that CSM is fair. Like all casino games, roulette, slots, equipment, etc. CSM undergoes regular audits.
Are Manual shuffling blackjack games available in online casinos?
Manually shuffled tables are common in Evolution, Ezugi, Playtech, and Authentic Gaming (now Scientific Games) live dealer games.
ASM Shuffling in Blackjack – the best of both worlds?
ASM Blackjack tables also boast a regular shoe and a discarded card pile. The ASM is typically next to the table or next to the dealer. Essentially, ASM devices offer the best of both worlds at a blackjack table. They speed up the gameplay because the dealer only needs to place cards in the machine to shuffle them up. And frequently, more than 1 set of 8 decks are in play. Because the device doesn’t continually remix the cards after 5 decks were played. ASM gives the same benefits as manually shuffled games, except there’s little waiting time in between deck changes.
ASM blackjack games are also available in Ezugi, Evolution, and Playtech live casino collection. They’re a favourite of many players, and who knows, they might be yours too.
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