Shoe in Blackjack
A shoe is a device that holds multiple decks of cards, allowing the dealer to deal smoothly without hand-shuffling between each round. Most casino blackjack games use a shoe.
Common Shoe Sizes
| Decks | Where Found |
|---|---|
| 1 deck | Rare, often handheld |
| 2 decks | Some casinos, often handheld |
| 4 decks | Uncommon |
| 6 decks | Most common |
| 8 decks | Common, especially in Vegas |
How Deck Count Affects House Edge
Fewer decks slightly favor the player:
| Decks | House Edge Impact |
|---|---|
| 1 deck | Baseline |
| 2 decks | +0.3% |
| 6 decks | +0.5% |
| 8 decks | +0.6% |
The difference is small but real. Single-deck games (if you find them with good rules) have the lowest house edge.
Why Casinos Use More Decks
- Faster play: Less frequent shuffling
- Counter countermeasure: More decks make card counting less effective
- Consistency: Easier to manage busy tables
The Cut Card
Every shoe has a cut card that signals when to reshuffle. Its placement determines deck penetration.