Is There an Advantage to Single Deck Blackjack?

Most blackjack games are played with multiple decks of cards, but single deck blackjack does exist. The question is, does playing with a single deck offer any advantages?

The answer is yes and no. On the one hand, playing with a single deck means that there are fewer cards in circulation, so the odds of being dealt a natural blackjack (an ace and a ten-valued card) are slightly higher.

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PRO TIP:Single-deck blackjack offers several advantages for players. A low deck count means fewer cards to track, which gives the player an advantage in counting cards. Additionally, with single-deck blackjack there is only one set of rules which makes it easier to learn and strategize. Finally, single-deck games often offer better odds for the player, particularly when it comes to blackjack pays (3:2) and game rules such as doubling down.

On the other hand, casinos compensate for this by making the rules more favorable to them when playing with a single deck. For example, they may require a player to hit on a soft 17 (a hand consisting of an ace and a six), whereas in multiple deck games the player is usually allowed to stand.

So while there are some advantages to playing single deck blackjack, they are offset by the fact that the rules are generally more favorable to the casino. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference; some players prefer the challenge of trying to beat the odds in a game with fewer cards, while others prefer the slightly better odds that come with multiple deck games.