TABLE SELECTION
Find the Best Games
Not all blackjack tables are equal. The rules, penetration, and conditions can swing your edge by over 1%. Learn what to look for before you sit down.
The 5 Things to Check Before Sitting
- Deck penetration — How deep do they deal before shuffling?
- Number of decks — Fewer decks = better for counters
- S17 vs H17 — Dealer stands or hits soft 17?
- Doubling rules — Can you double on any two cards?
- Blackjack payout — 3:2 is essential. Never play 6:5.
Penetration: The Most Important Factor
Penetration is how far into the shoe the dealer goes before shuffling. Better penetration means more high-count hands and bigger edges.
| Penetration | Cards Dealt | Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85%+ | ~350 cards | Excellent | Rare. Jump on these games. |
| 75-85% | ~310-350 | Very Good | Solid conditions. Worth playing. |
| 65-75% | ~270-310 | Playable | Acceptable with good rules. |
| 50-65% | ~210-270 | Marginal | Only if rules are excellent. |
| <50% | <210 | Unplayable | Don't waste your time. |
Rule Variations and Their Impact
Blackjack Payout −1.39%
3:2 is standard and required. 6:5 cuts your expected value by 1.39%—this alone destroys any counting edge. NEVER play 6:5 blackjack.
Dealer Hits Soft 17 (H17) −0.22%
If the dealer hits soft 17, it costs you ~0.22%. Look for tables where dealer stands on all 17s (S17).
Double After Split (DAS) +0.14%
Being able to double down after splitting pairs adds ~0.14% to your edge. Most Vegas strip casinos offer this.
Resplit Aces +0.08%
If you can split aces again after getting a second ace, that's worth ~0.08%. Rare but valuable.
Late Surrender +0.08%
Surrender lets you forfeit half your bet against bad situations. Worth ~0.08% and enables Fab 4 plays at high counts.
Number of Decks
Fewer decks favor the player and counter. Single deck (if 3:2) is ideal, but most countable games are 6 or 8 deck shoes.
Combining Rules: Real-World Examples
| Game | Rules | House Edge | Countable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Strip Standard | 8D, S17, DAS, 3:2, 75% pen | 0.35% | Excellent |
| Downtown Vegas | 2D, H17, DAS, 3:2, 65% pen | 0.45% | Good |
| Party Pit Trash | 6D, H17, No DAS, 6:5 | 2.0%+ | Never |
| Regional Casino | 8D, H17, DAS, 3:2, 80% pen | 0.45% | Very Good |
Red Flags: Games to Avoid
- 6:5 blackjack — Automatic no. Don't care how good other rules are.
- Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSM) — Cannot be counted. Cards reshuffled constantly.
- Less than 50% penetration — Not enough high-count opportunities.
- "Blackjack Pays Even Money" — Worse than 6:5. Run away.
- Side bets only tables — Focused on sucker bets, not the main game.
- Super crowded tables — Fewer hands per hour = less money over time.
Optimal Table Conditions
IDEAL GAME CHECKLIST
- ✓ 3:2 blackjack payout
- ✓ Dealer stands on soft 17 (S17)
- ✓ Double after split allowed (DAS)
- ✓ 75%+ penetration
- ✓ 6 or 8 deck shoe (not CSM)
- ✓ Late surrender available
- ✓ Can resplit aces
- ✓ 1-2 other players (not too crowded)
- ✓ Fast dealer
- ✓ Reasonable table limits for your bankroll
Hands Per Hour
More hands = more opportunities to bet big in good counts. Prioritize:
| Situation | Hands/Hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heads-up (you vs dealer) | 200+ | Ideal. Maximum opportunities. |
| 1-2 other players | 100-150 | Still excellent. |
| 3-4 other players | 60-80 | Acceptable. |
| Full table (6-7 players) | 40-50 | Slow. Consider leaving. |