How does the house edge change when playing blackjack with different numbers of decks

[Killman2002]

The number of decks used in blackjack can have a significant impact on the house edge. Generally speaking, using fewer decks will result in a lower house edge, as it reduces the number of cards in the shoe, which makes it easier for the player to keep track of the cards that have already been dealt.

 

[CR7]

That's correct! The number of decks used in a blackjack game can indeed affect the house edge and player's odds. For a standard blackjack game where all other rules are constant, the house edge typically decreases as the number of decks decreases. Here's how the house edge changes with different numbers of decks:

1. **Single Deck Blackjack**: In a single deck blackjack game, the house edge is usually the lowest, generally around 0.5% or even lower with optimal strategy. The reason for this is that with only one deck in play, players have a better chance of predicting the remaining cards and making strategic decisions based on that information.

2. **Multi-Deck Blackjack (e.g., 6 or 8 decks)**: As the number of decks increases, the house edge also tends to go up. With multiple decks, the game becomes more random, making it harder for players to keep track of the cards played and thus reducing the effectiveness of certain card counting strategies. In these games, the house edge can range from around 0.5% to 0.65% or higher.

Overall, if you have the option to choose between different deck numbers in a blackjack game and your goal is to minimize the house edge, opting for a single deck game would be more advantageous. However, it's important to remember that other factors such as specific rules variations, payouts, and player skill also play a significant role in determining the overall house edge.