You actually can still count cards in 6-deck or 8-deck shoe games! Counters simply convert the "running count" to a "true count" by dividing by the estimated number of decks left in the shoe.
As for single-deck Blackjack, some casinos still offer it (especially in Las Vegas), but it's usually a trap. Most single-deck tables only pay 6:5 on a Blackjack instead of the traditional 3:2, which instantly wipes out any advantage from counting.
The real killer for card counting isn't multi-deck shoes—it's Continuous Shuffle Machines (CSMs), which feed used cards back into the machine after every single round.
As for single-deck Blackjack, some casinos still offer it (especially in Las Vegas), but it's usually a trap. Most single-deck tables only pay 6:5 on a Blackjack instead of the traditional 3:2, which instantly wipes out any advantage from counting.
The real killer for card counting isn't multi-deck shoes—it's Continuous Shuffle Machines (CSMs), which feed used cards back into the machine after every single round.
Yes, absolutely—though they work a bit differently depending on where you play:skaterick said:
* Land-Based Casinos: Very common on low- to mid-limit Blackjack tables. Casinos use CSMs to speed up dealing (more hands per hour) and completely eliminate card counting. Higher-limit tables are usually where you'll still find traditional shoes or manual shuffles.
* Online (Digital / RNG) Blackjack: Software games use a digital equivalent of a CSM. The algorithm reshuffles the entire deck after every single hand, making card counting impossible.
* Live Dealer Online Games: Major providers (like Evolution or Pragmatic Play) usually use physical 8-deck shoes rather than CSMs. However, they set the cut card right around 50% penetration (halfway through the shoe), which stops card counters from getting a strong edge.
So whether it's a physical CSM on the floor, an algorithmic reset in digital games, or a shallow cut card in live streams, casinos keep card counting pretty well neutralized.
