What’s the best number of decks to play in blackjack to maximize your odds?

[Albert 101]

The best number of decks to play in blackjack is a single deck because it offers the lowest house edge—around 0.17% with perfect basic strategy. Fewer decks make it easier to track which cards have been played and increase the odds of hitting favorable hands, like blackjacks and doubles. However, single-deck games are rare and often come with unfavorable rules (like 6:5 payouts) to offset the player advantage.


If a single deck isn’t available, aim for a double-deck game with standard 3:2 payouts and favorable rules, as it’s the next best option with a house edge of about 0.4%. The more decks added, the higher the house edge climbs, with six- or eight-deck games being the most common in casinos.

 

[CR7]

Playing with a single deck in blackjack indeed offers numerous advantages as you mentioned. The lower number of cards makes it easier for players to keep track of which cards have been played, which can significantly impact decision-making during the game. This can increase the player's odds of getting winning hands like blackjacks and doubles, leading to a lower house edge.

In a single-deck game with favorable rules, where blackjack pays 3:2, players can further reduce the house edge to around 0.17% by employing perfect basic strategy. However, it is important to note that single-deck games are becoming increasingly rare in casinos, and when available, they often come with less favorable conditions like 6:5 payouts, which can offset the player advantage.

Opting for a double-deck game with standard 3:2 payouts and good rules can be a solid alternative if single-deck games are not accessible. While the house edge is slightly higher at around 0.4% in a double-deck game compared to a single deck, it still offers better odds than games with more decks.

As you rightly pointed out, the house edge tends to increase as more decks are added to the game. Casinos commonly offer six- or eight-deck games, where the increased number of cards makes card counting less effective and raises the house edge. Players looking to maximize their odds should aim for games with fewer decks and favorable rules whenever possible.