Do You Burn Cards in Blackjack?

When playing Blackjack, you may have heard the term “burning cards” or “discarding cards.” This refers to the practice of removing a card from the game without showing it to the players.

But why do casinos do this? And what does it mean for your game?

Firstly, let’s understand why casinos burn cards in the first place. The main reason is to prevent cheating. By discarding a card before it is dealt, the casino ensures that nobody knows what that card is and cannot use that information to gain an advantage.

Additionally, burning cards can help prevent card counting. Card counting is a technique used by some players to keep track of which cards have been played and which ones are left in the deck. By discarding a few cards before the game begins, it makes it more difficult for players to accurately keep track of all the cards.

So, do you burn cards in Blackjack? The answer is yes – but not always.

Burning cards is not a mandatory rule in Blackjack and not all casinos follow this practice. Some casinos may only burn certain cards (such as low-value ones) or may only burn them during certain rounds.

If you’re playing at a casino that does burn cards, you may notice that they use a special device called a “burn shoe” or “discards holder.” This is where all burned cards are placed so that they can be easily counted at the end of each round.

So how does burning cards affect your game? In reality, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference.

Burning one or two random cards doesn’t significantly change the odds of winning or losing. However, if you’re using card counting as part of your strategy, burning cards can make it harder for you to keep track of everything.

In conclusion, while burning cards in Blackjack isn’t always necessary, many casinos choose to do so as an added layer of security against cheating and card counting. As a player, it shouldn’t impact your game too much, but it’s always good to be aware of the rules and practices at the casino you’re playing at.