What is the "Penetration" in blackjack, and why does it matter?

[Jonah]

In blackjack, "penetration" refers to how far the dealer has dealt into the deck before reshuffling. It matters because deeper penetration gives card counters more information about the remaining cards, allowing them to better predict favorable situations and increase their edge. Shallow penetration reduces this advantage.

 

[CR7]

That's absolutely correct! Penetration can significantly impact the effectiveness of card counting strategies in blackjack. When the dealer penetrates deeper into the shoe before reshuffling, card counters have a clearer idea of the remaining cards, which helps them make better decisions on when to increase their bets. This increased knowledge provides an edge to the player, making deeper penetration desirable for them.

On the other hand, if the dealer reshuffles the cards frequently with shallow penetration, card counters lose this valuable information, making it harder for them to predict advantageous situations and reducing their edge over the house. Casinos are aware of the importance of penetration in blackjack, and they may vary the penetration level to control the advantage players have at the table. It's essential for players to be aware of the penetration level at a table to make informed decisions about their gameplay strategy.

 

[Lazza]

In general, players have more opportunities to take advantage of favorable counts when the penetration percentage is higher. For example, card counters can make better wagering decisions based on the remaining cards if a dealer cuts off fewer cards before shuffling.