Despite a clear set of rules, there are several versions of blackjack that create different dynamics, winning chances and are, in general, a breath of fresh air.
One of them is single deck blackjack, possibly the easiest of the 21 games to play.
This McLuck Blog guide will:
- Introduce you to this blackjack version
- Explain what makes it different
- Weigh in on the pros and cons of this variation
What is Single-Deck Blackjack?
A standard deck of cards has 52 cards. However, blackjack is usually played with up to eight decks, meaning there can be north of 400 cards in the dealer’s “shoe”.
The single-deck blackjack variation breaks with this tradition, using just a single pack of cards – 52, then.
The more cards in play, the lower the player’s chances of beating the dealer. The single-deck blackjack game is quite unfriendly to the house, with an edge of just 0.014%. Compare that to 0.551% with six decks and 0.577% with eight decks and you can see the difference.
In other good news, the chances of hitting a blackjack in the game of the same name are highest when only a single deck is in play.
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Single-Deck Blackjack Strategies
Single-deck blackjack strategy needs to keep up with the game. As a quick primer, it tells you when you should:
- Hit
- Stand
- Double
- Split
- Surrender
The basic blackjack strategy sharpens your play and reduces the house edge by ensuring you aren’t making unnecessary mistakes. It doesn’t guarantee a win. It’s not a way to “beat” the house.
Single-deck blackjack strategy insists you split your aces, avoid splitting tens, and stand on a “hard” 17 or higher. Of course, that’s just the tip of a very large iceberg. The basic strategy requires study, until it comes naturally.
Here’s another one – don’t take insurance. Ever. It’s one of the most debated topics in single-deck blackjack strategy, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Pros and Cons of Single-Deck 21
Single-deck blackjack seems perfectly set up in favour of the player, which is a mixed blessing. It’s rarer at brick-and-mortar casinos than in multi-deck games. The house generally doesn’t want to lose too much of its edge to the player.
Another advantage is the fact that, as there are fewer cards, card counting might be possible – if you feel like doing so, which is a technique that sparks debate.
Games are also faster – we’ll count this as a positive, if you’re looking for something quicker.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of single-deck blackjack is that it’ll be familiar to people who learned the game the old-fashioned way – at home, with their only pack of cards.
There are also disadvantages, of course. While single deck blackjack might be easier to understand, there are two tweaks done by casinos that will make the house edge higher:
- The dealer will hit on a soft 17 or no doubling after split will be allowed.
- Blackjack odds might go from 3:2 to 6:5 (which is less interesting to players)
As always, it’s a matter of comparing games and checking what each social casino has in store for you.
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Conclusion
Single-deck blackjack is a rewarding, simplified version of the classic game built around familiar rules. It’s a strong choice for beginners and traditionalists.
Be careful when applying the blackjack strategy for single-deck. The chart tends to shift slightly with an increasing (or decreasing) number of decks.
We almost forgot – there are other blackjack versions that you might find interesting:
- Atlantic City: Blackjack played with 8 decks. The dealer standing on soft 17, you doubling down on any card value and after splitting, plus late surrender, are allowed.
- Classic: The closest to the original 21 game, this blackjack uses 8 decks and blackjack wins at 3:2.
- European: Blackjack played with 2 decks, where the dealer doesn’t take a second card before you’ve played your hand.
- Spanish 21: Played with 6-8 48-card decks, as they don’t include number 10 cards.
- Switch: You get two hands instead of one in this blackjack game and you can exchange the second card between each hand.
- Vegas Strip: Played with 4 decks. Dealer will always stand on soft 17 and can check for blackjack right away with Ace or 10 card.
And that’s it! Time to head over to McLuck social casino and enjoy a game of blackjack. If you feel like playing other social casino games, don’t worry – you’ll find just the right guide on McLuck blog.
