Why Do Blackjack Cards Have Holes?

Have you ever played a game of blackjack and wondered why some of the cards have holes in them? Well, you’re not alone. Many players have asked this same question, and the answer is quite simple.

Firstly, let’s understand what blackjack is. It is a card game played in casinos where players aim to get a higher hand than the dealer without going over 21.

The game involves a standard deck of 52 cards, but some variations may use multiple decks. Each card has a value assigned to it: numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points each, and Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points.

So why do some blackjack cards have holes in them? These cards are known as “punch cards” or “punched” cards. They are used by casinos to prevent cheating and protect against counterfeit money.

When a deck of playing cards is manufactured, they come in sheets with many individual cards printed on them. These sheets are then punched out into individual playing cards using a machine that creates holes in specific places on each card. These holes serve as an anti-counterfeiting measure since they make it difficult for someone to create fake playing cards that match the design of legitimate ones.

Some casinos also use punch cards as an anti-cheating measure. In these cases, a hole is punched into specific areas of the card to indicate its value. This makes it easier for dealers and other casino staff to quickly identify which card is being played without having to look at its face value.

Another reason for hole-punched blackjack cards is to track how many decks have been used during gameplay. Casinos may use multiple decks of playing cards during a game of blackjack to prevent players from counting cards and gaining an unfair advantage. By punching a hole in one corner of each card from specific decks, dealers can easily keep track of which deck is currently in use, and which ones have already been used.

In conclusion, blackjack cards have holes in them for a few reasons. They are an anti-counterfeiting measure, an anti-cheating measure, and a way to track how many decks are being used during gameplay. Next time you sit down at a blackjack table and notice the holes in the cards, you’ll know exactly why they’re there.