Most online casinos shuffle after every hand. Others shuffle at random times but do not indicate exactly when to the player. I have noticed Microgaming casinos flash the word 'shuffling' about one hand in four.
Continuous shuffling machines are a mainstay in the casino game of Blackjack. The game’s basic components contributing to your outcome is luck of the draw. Shuffling of cards automatically can affect both the odds of the players to win and the house advantage.
Whilst this factor used to vary quite significantly depending on the shuffler of a game, with the advancements in technology new methods to shuffle cards have emerged, enabling a fairer game wherever played. Most casinos will not manually shuffle cards. Rather they will use machines which are called ‘continuous shuffling machines.’
Understanding the Shuffling Machine
Shuffling machines are used across the casino industry to create more efficient randomisation of cards for any game in comparison to shuffling manually. Since their invention, different variations of card shuffling machines have emerged, such as automatic shufflers and the continuous shuffling machine (CSM).
The continuous shuffling machine facilitates a type of automated shuffling used by most, if not all, casinos in an attempt to stop card counting in games. Continuous shuffling machines work by randomising the deck of cards, thereby allowing the game to be played at a quicker rate, (not having to wait for the dealer to shuffle and deal), whilst providing a fairer game through a more thorough, entirely objective shuffling system.
How Continuous Shuffling Machines Work
Typically, five decks of cards are placed into a CSM, with the machine throwing out and putting back in cards from each deck at random. The shuffling, as the name suggests, is going on continuously, with cards already used in the game having the chance to show up in subsequent hands. This makes attempts of card counting less likely to be successful than games with a traditionally shuffled deck of cards.
The original continuous shuffling machine uses an elevator-type system in which a shuffler will insert cards into the device’s shelves at random as the machine moves up and down. The Shuffle Master then randomly picks a deck for the game and places it into the dealing shoe. There are numerous different types of CSM, all providing a casino game with an effective, thoroughly random shuffle.
How Continuous Shuffling Machines Affect Player Strategies
Whilst playing a game of Blackjack that involves a CSM, there are a few things to consider in order to develop an effective gaming strategy, and to further yield the best possible outcome:
- Cards that have been used are placed back in the deck at random throughout the game. Therefore, counting cards throughout a game with a CSM will be less likely to work, if not impossible altogether
- Apart from card counting, games involving CSM will not change other basic Blackjack strategies, as these are almost always concerning elements of the game outside the shuffling of a deck
- Shuffle tracking could possibly be done if the CSM is integrating cards already used in the game back into the dealing shoe. Through this, players may be able to predict what cards are likely to be grouped together
- In a game of Blackjack with a CSM, the distribution of cards used is weighted in favour of the larger cards
- The fewer the decks of cards a CSM is set up for, the better the advantage for the player
Consideration of the above factors can help a player significantly whilst working out how to get the best possible outcome during a Blackjack game that uses a continuous shuffling machine.
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Can Continuous Shuffling Machines be Beaten in Casinos?
It has been claimed that Blackjack is the only game players can learn to beat regularly. Those that learn basic strategy techniques are much more likely to win a game, and with experience under their belt, move on to card counting to further increase their chances of winning.
The implementation of continuous shuffling machines within most casinos has drastically restricted the lengths to which card counters can go to. There are still various things that can be done to put an advanced player’s skill set to good use!
There are many different types and models of continuous shuffle machines, one of which is made by leading manufacturer Shuffle Master and is the One 2 Six Machine.
The One 2 Six types of the shuffler, similar to most of the basic layouts of continuous shuffling machines, have cards inserted into it at random and throughout the duration of the game, and then presents a predetermined, thoroughly shuffled, number of cards into the dealing shoe for use in the game.
Although players cannot know the exact cards distributed, what can be determined is that the cards in the game will not be dealt for a few hands. Therefore, this provides players with a move accurate guess as to what will be in this new pack of cards by filtering through what is least likely to be in it.
However, each type of continuous shuffling machine will slightly vary in its techniques, being able to hold different amounts of decks within the shuffling process. The higher the amount of decks involved in the shuffling machine, the harder it is to estimate what is in the deck and therefore the lower the advantage for the player.
Shuffling When Playing at Online Casinos
When playing Blackjack at a live online casino, determining what shuffling technique is being used is a bit more difficult as simulations and algorithms are used for the most part.
Is Ocean Online Casino Blackjack A Continued Shuffled
Therefore, to help guess what type of shuffling technique is used and adapt player strategy accordingly, here’s what to bear in mind with online casinos:
- They often use a random simulation program in its shuffling technique to avoid bias
- Shuffling is typically done after every hand
- If you see the same card twice in a game, the casino is not using traditional methods, and rather is much more likely to be using CSM-styled shuffling
While continuous shuffling machines have made it harder for the more experienced Blackjack player to win, they level the playing field. Adapting your strategy towards beating the shuffler through a good knowledge of how your shuffling is done, and what this means for the hands dealt in a game.
Blackjack is one of the oldest games in the casino. It has been around in some form or another since the early 1600s.
Centuries ago, nobody could fathom that machines would be shuffling blackjack games one day. However, this scenario has come to life in the form of continuous shuffling machines.
Casinos use continuous shuffling machines (CSMs) to take pressure off the dealer and help speed up games. But they also turn off a portion of their players when using these machines.
Certain gamblers have misconceptions about CSMs that include everything from rigged games to a much higher house edge.
Should you share the same concerns? I’ll clear up this matter by covering more on CSMs along with why they’re so misunderstood.
What Is a Blackjack CSM?
A continuous shuffling machine features an opening at the top where dealers can insert clumps of cards. It has numerous slots located inside of it that serve as card holders.
This machine shoots played cards into the slots in a random manner. Once it has finished putting all of the cards into random slots, the machine pushes the clump to the top.
The dealer takes this card clump out of the machine and continues dealing. Therefore, they never need to completely stop play to shuffle a shoe (two or more decks).
Instead, they only briefly pause to grab played cards and insert them into the CSM. This process keeps games running more smoothly and without lengthy brakes.
Why Casinos Love Continuous Shuffling Machines
More and more casinos are adding CSMs to their tables. You can see the main reason why these machines are spreading throughout the blackjack world below.
Faster Games
Under normal circumstances, a dealer needs to stop a blackjack game and shuffle the cards. They typically do this after between 60% and 75% of the shoe has been dealt.
This stoppage can last for several minutes. The dealer must separate the pile into different clumps and riffle through each one.
The casino appreciates a well-shuffled and random blackjack game. But these stoppages also cost them money.
The house holds the edge over any recreational blackjack and wants faster games to capitalize on this advantage. A CSM allows casinos to deal around 20% more hands per hour.
More Profits
The exact amount that casino stand to make from faster blackjack tables varies based on different factors. A dealer’s speed and how many people are the table also play a role.
Simply put, though, gambling establishments want as many hands dealt as possible. They can win thousands of dollars more each day with continuous shuffling machines in the mix.
Here’s an example to illustrate how much casinos will earn with machine-dealt games:
Table without a CSM:
- 3 people are playing.
- 80 hands are dealt per hour.
- The average bet size is $25.
- 80 x 3 x 25 = $6,000 in betting action
- The house edge is 1.5%.
- 6,000 x 0.015 = $90 in winnings for the house
Table with a CSM:
- 3 people are playing.
- 100 hands are dealt per hour.
- The average bet size is $25.
- 100 x 3 x 25 = $7,500 in betting action
- The house edge is 1.5%.
- 7,500 x 0.015 = $112.50 in winnings for the house
Stops Card Counters
Casinos definitely don’t like card counters. A skilled counter gains an advantage over the house and makes guaranteed profits.
Professional players put a serious dent in casinos’ profits. However, continuous shuffling machines render card counting impossible.
Card counting needs deck penetration to make profits. Their positive count is much more accurate when 70% of the deck has been dealt versus just 20%.
The latter waits this long to shuffle, because they don’t want to stop the game frequently.
But the dealer doesn’t need to stop action to shuffle with CSMs involved. Instead, they can just grab a pile of cards every so often and throw them into the machine. As a result, card counters never get adequate deck penetration.
Common Misconceptions about CSMs
In their ideal world, gambling establishments would fill blackjack tables with continuous shuffling machines. They don’t do this everywhere, though, because not all of their customers approve.
Certain players absolutely refuse to play at tables with these machines. The same group often has the following common misconceptions about CSMs.
Raises House Edge
The average player will lose more money at tables with a continuous shuffling machine. Therefore, they may feel that these machines raise the house edge.
In actuality, a CSM lowers the house advantage by 0.014%. As a recreational player, you have a slightly better chance to win each hand at a machine-dealt table.
The reason why people lose more in these games, though, is due to the game speed. They see more hands per hour and are exposed more to the house advantage.
Earlier, I showed how a casino’s profits go up when a CSM is in play. The reverse is true for players, where they lose more money with machines involved.
Rigs Games for Casinos
It’s understandable that some gamblers mistakenly believe they face worse odds with continuous shuffling machines involved. The latter speeds up the action and causes more losses.
However, a much bigger misconception is that CSMs somehow rig the game. Those who believe this feel that the machine is somehow programmed to give the casino better odds of winning.
This same logic relates to slot machine myths. Many players believe that casinos can easily rig slot machines.
Gamblers have always had a mistrust of anything dealing with machines, because they can’t see the innerworkings like with a blackjack game
Casino stand to lose much more, including their license and hefty fines, if they were caught using a biased CSM (if such a thing even exists). Therefore, you don’t have to worry about casinos cheating.
Should You Play at Tables with CSMs?
Your individual preferences will determine whether you play at a blackjack table with a continuous shuffling machine.
You can see that there’s nothing to worry from a house edge or rigged-game perspective. Assuming you don’t mind the thought of a machine-based game, then you won’t mind playing at these tables.
However, you may also seek a more-classic blackjack feeling. A CSM doesn’t achieve this traditional aspect.
Instead, it makes games feel more robotic. If you like the atmosphere almost as much as the action, you should definitely look for hand-shuffled games.
The increased losses might also turn you off from these tables. Again, the quicker game speed will lead to increased losses on average.
You can win more money by studying basic blackjack strategy. But you also must deal with the more-realistic fact that you’ll lose when considering the house edge.
What’s Your Alternative in Blackjack?
Continuous shuffling machines may be slowly invading the gambling world. However, you don’t have to settle for these games.
Some international gambling destinations, on the other hand, feature CSMs at the vast majority of their tables. Macau and Monte Carlo are two of the most-notable casino hotspots that fall into this category.
You should definitely avoid these places when you’re trying to avoid continuous shuffling machines. The good news, though, is that the majority of the gambling world still offers plenty of hand-shuffled tables.
That said, I advise that you do research before playing blackjack in a prospective gambling destination. This research will ensure that you don’t visit a gambling hotspot and get a nasty surprise.
Conclusion
The point of this post isn’t to sell you on playing at tables with continuous shuffling machines. Instead, I merely want to show that CSMs aren’t as bad as some players think.
These machines don’t give the house a bigger advantage—they actually decrease it. They also don’t rig games to give casinos stronger odds.
You can expect a fair game with CSMs involved. However, you’ll also be more exposed to the house edge when considering that more hands will be dealt per hour.
Furthermore, you might like the feeling of being at a table where the machine shuffles cards. In this case, you should definitely seek out a traditional blackjack table.