Cut Card in Blackjack
The cut card is a colored plastic card inserted into the shoe to indicate when it's time to shuffle. When the cut card appears, the current hand finishes, then the dealer reshuffles all decks.
How the Cut Card Works
- After shuffling, a player "cuts" the deck by inserting the cut card
- The cut card is placed somewhere in the last 1-2 decks
- Play continues until the cut card is dealt out
- Dealer completes the current round, then reshuffles
Why Cut Card Placement Matters
The cut card determines deck penetration—how deep into the shoe play goes before shuffling:
| Cut Card Placement | Penetration | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 decks from end | ~75% | Better for counters |
| 2+ decks from end | ~65% or less | Hurts counting |
Casinos adjust cut card placement to combat card counting. Shallower penetration means counters have less information and fewer high-count opportunities.
For Recreational Players
Cut card placement has minimal impact if you're not counting cards. It simply determines how many hands you play between shuffles.