Among blackjack players, there is a perception that some casinos cheat, pulling out high cards like aces from decks. Of course, nobody says they take out all aces, but the house edge increases if the shoe lacks even a few tens, not to mention aces.
The Casinoz article examines whether such concerns are valid and provides guidance on how to protect ourselves from them.
What Is the Aim of Cheating?
In the article "How does card counting help the player?", we described why high cards in the deck are more profitable for a player than for the dealer.
We will not repeat it here.
We will only remind you that players can decide what to do with their cards, while dealers must follow the strict rules and may not make any decisions.
Therefore, a player can split tens, double down on eleven, and so on. Moreover, a player gets paid 3:2 for a natural blackjack, and a dealer wins 1:1 for these cards.
Counting cards is based on determining the balance between high and low cards in the decks remaining in the shoe. If you do not understand why a player needs as many high cards as possible in the deck, read the article mentioned above and learn how to play blackjack better.
Blackjacks without Tens
Based on traditional blackjack rules, some games initially do not have tens. The best example is Spanish 21. This game has the so-called Spanish decks of forty-eight cards (without four tens). It has more favorable rules and bonus payouts for various combinations to compensate for the increased house edge due to the lack of a dozen.
You can read more about this fascinating version of blackjack in the article about its rules. We also recommend reading the Effectiveness of card counting in Spanish 21. This will help you to understand it better.
Can Land-based Casinos Cheat at Cards
Brick-and-mortar casinos can cheat. Theoretically, pit bosses can get a couple of tens from some decks if a player does not notice. However, we must understand that the club does not derive significant practical benefits (plus one-half of one percent when removing tens of single decks in BJ), and the risk of serious trouble is high.
The player can test the presence of cards before they get into the shoe. Cameras capture the entire game process from start to finish. If you suddenly start a scandal, the record will be shown to the client or superiors (who may not be aware of such initiatives by managers or pit bosses).
It turns out that no reasonable casino employee - whether a manager, pit boss, or dealer - will engage in such nonsense to bet a few percent additional benefits, especially when this advantage is seen over a long stretch of the game and not in one evening.
Therefore, it isn't easy to imagine a reliable casino deliberately changing decks of blackjack cards. Visiting a dubious casino is a sign of poor taste. If problems occur in such casinos, you can only blame yourself.
Can Online Casinos Cheat at Blackjack?
It is easier. Do not play in casinos powered by incomprehensible software manufacturers. Many casinos are supervised by competent authorities and independent auditors who issue them a license. And big companies like Microgaming or Playtech will not allow their products to be manipulated.
So, such suspicions in an online casino can hardly be justified.
Here are several fair casinos.
| Casino | Bonuses | Editors rating | |||
| 100% to 1000 $ x35 |
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T&C applies, 18+
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T&C applies, 18+
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| 100% to 400 $ x50 |
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How Can You Ensure a Fair Game?
In the case of brick-and-mortar casinos, there is one way out: a mandatory checking of all cards in a shoe before the game. It is not always easy, as you may find yourself sitting at a table where a game has already begun. But if you want to be entirely sure of fair play, look for an empty table and check the deck!
When discussing online casinos, consider playing in reputable casinos with verified software. They don't have such problems. If you are unsure whom to trust, consider the Top 10 online casinos, as recommended by Casinoz.
