8 Deck Blackjack: Improve Your Odds at Blackjack with 8 Decks

Blackjack can be a great game for players, with a lower house edge than many games in the casino. Because of that, casinos reduce the house edge some by adding more decks and offering some less-favorable rules.

Eight deck blackjack is one of those options, and as the name implies, this game features eight decks of cards. This game comes with a lower house edge than single and double-deck blackjack, and the game also has its own strategy that is dependent on the rules of the game.

Keep reading to learn more about the strategies, odds, and game play for eight deck blackjack.

What is 8 Deck Blackjack?

This game features eight decks used to deal the game. The dealer uses a device known as a “shoe” to deal cards from from his left to right and the action can move quicker than other games because the dealer doesn’t have to shuffle as often.

Eight deck blackjack is common in many casinos in Las Vegas and in other properties around the world. This is generally the highest number of decks a player will see at a blackjack table. The higher the number of decks, the higher the house advantage.

There is a larger card pool and these games often include less-favorable rules, such as the dealer hitting soft 17. The higher number of cards also makes card counting more difficult as well.

Odds and House Edge in 8 Deck Blackjack

Despite the number of decks, 8 deck blackjack still features a low house edge considering some of the other bad bets in a casino. For example, some slot machines may have house edges as high as 25%.

Knowing that, here’s a quick look at the house edge for various numbers of decks, considering a game with: doubling on any two cards allowed; doubling after split allowed; resplitting to four hands allowed; just receiving a single card after splitting aces; surrender not allowed; and dealer hits soft 17.

Number of decks	House advantage
One deck	0.17%
Two decks	0.46%
Four decks	0.60%
Six decks	0.64%
Eight decks	0.66%

Notice that the house edge for eight decks is still below 1% in this game. It’s also important to remember that these low house edges come with using the correct basic strategy for this exact game with eight decks.

Essential Strategies for 8 Deck Blackjack

Basic strategy is your friend when it comes to playing 8 deck blackjack as well as all other blackjack games. Basic strategy will always give players the best mathematical plays based on every dealer upcard.

This will help determine when you should hit, stand, or double down. You’ll also know when to split hands and how to play “soft” hands that contain an ace (which can count as 1 or 11). Some eight deck blackjack basic strategy plays may be different from what a player might make on a single or double-deck game.

A more conservative approach is beneficial in eight deck games due to reduced card counting potential. However, studying basic strategy charts will still offer the chance at reducing the house edge as much as possible (more on that below).

Understanding the 8 Deck Blackjack Chart

An eight deck blackjack strategy chart gives players an easy way to find the right play in these games. The charts vary depending on the game’s rules, but viewing them and knowing when to hit, stand, double, split, and make other correct moves is easy.

The chart should guide player decisions and practicing will help know the correct moves to play on that next visit to the casino. Players will easily find their own hand on the left side and then match that up with the dealer’s upcard located to the top of the chart. Where those correspond, you’ll find the correct decision for that hand.

The charts will also have options for when a player is dealt a pair (such as A-A) and soft hands as well. For example, players will always want to split A-A and always double down on 11 except against an ace. Here’s an example of an 8 deck blackjack chart.

Advantages and Drawbacks of Playing 8 Deck Blackjack

There are some advantages and disadvantages to playing eight deck blackjack. Here’s a quick look at a few of those.

Pros	Cons
Usually easy to find as the game is available at numerous casinos.	May have poorer rules than other games.
Action can move more quickly (this can be good and bad however).	Usually will have 6 to 5 payouts on blackjack rather than the better 3 to 2.
Still has a low house edge compared to other games.	Higher house edge than other blackjack games.
May come with lower stakes and lower variance in payouts.	Difficulty in counting cards because of the higher number of cards.

Conclusion

Eight deck blackjack is a common version of the game found in many casinos around the world. The house edge in the game is reduced because of the greater number of cards and card counting may also be difficult because of this.

However, the game still has a low house edge compared to other casino games. Using a basic strategy is still the best way to play in these games and an 8 deck blackjack strategy chart offers the chance to practice and easily know the correct decision to make in any scenario. Making informed choices on every hand in 8 deck blackjack games gives players the best chance to lower the house edge and maximize winnings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the house edge in 8 deck blackjack?

While this version of the game may have a house edge that’s higher than some others with fewer decks. However, this is still less than 1% in more favorable games when using correct basic strategy.

How does 8 deck blackjack differ from single deck blackjack?

The game may be quicker because the dealer shuffles less and there is also a higher house edge. Players may also find less-favorable rules, such as hitting on soft 17 and paying out 6 to 5 for blackjacks.

Is card counting effective in 8 deck blackjack?

It may be more difficult to count cards because of the larger number of cards in play when using eight decks.

What are the best strategies for 8 deck blackjack?

Always follow the correct basic strategy for the game that you’re playing. Using an eight-deck blackjack basic strategy chart is a great way to practice and work on your skills.