The Burn Card in Blackjack – everything you need to know about it
When playing blackjack in an online casino or offline one. You’ll see the dealer removing the first card and placing it in the burn pile in between shuffling. In some cases, and only in some land-based casinos, new dealers are also compelled to burn a card when taking over a table.
If you’re a card counter, you might worry about the card value you don’t know. And if you’re new to blackjack, you might not understand how this simple move affects your game. If it’s your case, don’t worry. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the burn card when playing blackjack in the below lines. We’ll also tell you how this practice affects your odds at a table. Read more about the Blackjack burn card.
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The idea behind the burn card and how knowing it affect your odds
Almost ever since casinos offer blackjack on their floor, dealers have to burn a card before starting a new game. This move aims to protect the house from players who might know what the first card in the shoe is. So, for example, it might surprise you that blackjack players who’d know an Ace is the first card to come out of the shoe would get a 50% advantage. Alternatively, advantage players who’d know the first card is a 10 would win a 14% advantage.
But how could you know what the first card is?
On blackjack tables where no continuous shuffling machines (CSM) are in play. An attentive eye is all it takes to know the first card (if the casino doesn’t burn it). Another way observing players see the value of the first card is to spot scuff or scratch. And memorize the value of this card. But to successfully do this, you’d need to be sitting at the same table for a while. And, of course, be lucky enough to play with the same decks’ many rounds too.
Does the burn card(s) affect your odds or the running count?
Most experts would tell you that it depends on the number of decks the variation of blackjack you specialize in uses. The reality is that. The more decks in the shoe, the less impactful the burn card is on the running count.
But why is the burn card impact so minimal?
Essentially, it’s because no blackjack games use the totality of the shoe. And also, because from one operator to another, the dealer might cut the shoe differently. In some cases, 8-deck games (mostly), 1 1/2, and up to 2 decks are left in the cardholder at the end of a game. Thus, the impact of 1 or 2 cards missing is hard to feel. But knowing its value impacts your game, as you’ve read above. So, if the casino you’re visiting shows the burn card at the beginning of the game. You should add or subtract 1 to your running count. If they don’t show it, it’s not a big problem. Just ignore it.
Baccarat burn on blackjack table – what is this about?
While the Baccarat burn on blackjack tables is not a common practice in online casinos or live casino dealer games. Some card counters have reported that when an operator suspects advantage play in a land-based table. The venue could opt for the Baccarat burn on blackjack tables.
So what is that?
To sum up, a Baccarat burn is when the first card of the shoe is turned face up. And when the cards’ number (example 4) dedicates how many cards will be taken off the shoe to burn. This practice has little impact on your running count as a card counter. But it increases the deck penetration by 4.
What to take out of this?
You shouldn’t worry too much about it since you won’t see the burn card. And because there is no such thing as a card flow when playing blackjack online or offline. Instead, focus on the independent event you master to win the edge. By putting time in the game, you’ll see your EV increase.
| 21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only | ||
| 100% Bonus up to $1000 Bonus on first 3 deposits Join the Party! | Visit Casino |
