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 explains whether such concerns are valid and how to protect ourselves from them.
What Is the Aim of the 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 a 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 that 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 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. But we must understand that the club does not get great 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 record the whole process of the game from beginning to end. If you suddenly start a scandal, the record will be shown to the client or the superiors (who may not be aware of such initiative managers or pit bosses).
It turns out that no reasonable casino employee - whether a manager, pit boss, or dealer - will not engage in such nonsense to bet a few percent additional benefits, especially when this advantage is seen on 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. And visiting a doubtful casino is a sign of bad 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 the manipulation of their products.
So, such suspicions in an online casino can hardly be justified.
How Can You Ensure That the Game Is Fair?
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 because you can sit at a table where a game has already started. But if you want to be entirely sure of a fair play - look for an empty table and check the deck!
If talking about online casinos, play in large casinos with verified software. They don't have such problems. If you do not know who to trust, open the Top 10 online casinos according to Casinoz.
