It should be well known by now that in blackjack the house always has an advantage over the players, unless you count cards. That edge varies depending on the game rules a casino employs, as we have already explained in the introductory articles of our guide, but not only.
As a basic strategy player, all you can do is reduce your disadvantage to a minimum, and by sticking strictly to basic strategy you can even be ahead through the comps you receive. However, in order to do that, because mathematically you will always lose more hands than win (the law of large numbers is against you), you will need to play the least hands possible. By reducing the number of hands played per hour, you will lose less money, but often you’d receive the same amount of casino freebies as if you were playing in a faster game.
Thus, apart from choosing a table with optimal rules (such as dealer stands on soft 17 etc), you will need to consider the speed of the game. And speed depends on both objective and subjective factors. For example, an objective factor is the number of players on the table since, all else equals, a 2-player game will also go faster than a 6-player game. A subjective factor, on the other hand, can be the dealer, since each dealer operates at a different pace and has different experience.
We will discuss game speed factors in detail in the following paragraphs. What is crucial to remember is that game speed is more important for the basic strategy player than the off-the-top expectation of a particular game and should be among the key factors considered when choosing a table.
Hand-held games
Games where cards are dealt face down and are held by players are slower than their alternative. However, they are less common as well. Hand-held, hand-shuffled games, single-deck games are typically the slowest games there is, followed by the hand-held, hand-shuffled, double-deck games.
Next come shoe games, which in turn are slower than games using automatic shuffling machines. Games employing continuous-shuffling machines are the fastest.
Number of players
How many people sit at the table is the next thing you should take into consideration. Logically enough, the larger the player count, the slower the game will be as more hands will have to be dealt in each round.
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The difference in the number of played hands can have such a dramatic effect on expected losses that an empty single-deck game turns into a bigger money sink than a crowded six-deck table. Also, crowded shoe games are better than empty hand-held games. And so, although the number of decks grows, the higher player count can offset that effect.
Thus, your best possible choice would be a crowded single or double-deck game. You must avoid tables using automatic and continuous-shuffling machines.
Slowing Down Blackjack Game
Money Management in Blackjack
Single Deck Blackjack Basic Strategy
Double Deck Blackjack Strategy
Shoe Games Blackjack Strategy
Keep in mind that it is not only the number of players that slows down the pace of play, but also the social interaction that is created, including with the dealer. A player can intentionally affect the game speed, but such tactics will be discussed in the next article. Suffice to say for now, if you find a table that suits you, but with a hasty dealer, there are ways to slow them down.
Dealers
Dealers play a huge role in establishing the table’s speed. Some dealers are mostly silent and lightning fast, while others are chatty and deal at a moderate pace. Ultimately, what you want to find is a break-in dealer, i.e. novice dealers currently undergoing training. They will most likely be dealing slower, and more importantly – will do mistakes fairly often. If those mistakes favor the casino, resolving them will delay the game. You can, however, remain quiet in case they are in your favor.
There are also dealers that, in order to speed up the game, assume what the player’s next move will be and deal straight away, without waiting for a call. If this happens, you should immediately speak out since, after all, it is your money at stake.
