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Blackjack Shuffle Tacking Overview
Definition
Blackjack shuffle tracking is the art of keeping track of groups of cards in a deck for the purpose of either keeping them or getting rid of them.
Background
Shuffle tracking is a new blackjack technique. It derives from card counting which began in the 1960s. Because shuffle tracking is only recent, there is still much research to be done with it by both advantage players and the casinos. Right now, players are still refining this technique, and casinos are looking for ways to thwart it.
Theory
Shuffle tracking is based on the premise that shuffling really isn't as random it seems, and that the placement of cards can be predicted. Anyone who has played cards will know there truth to this. If you shuffle cards and play at home, you will notice that some cards appear in groups or clumps rather often. This is due to simple shuffling which fails to mix up the cards thoroughly.
It is the same in casinos. Casinos use different methods of shuffling and a dealer will shuffle as he or she is instructed. But no matter what the method, dealers cannot be too thorough in their shuffling. Why? Because it takes too much time. If a dealer were to shuffle thoroughly each time, then fewer hands would be played and the casino would earn less. That would entail bigger losses for them than a few obsessive shuffle trackers. So it's not worth it. That does not mean casinos are okay with shuffle tracking. But at this time there is nothing they can do about it.
How It Works
A dealer shuffles cards at set intervals. The shuffle tracker takes note of the discarded (used) cards and how the deck is shuffled anew. As already said, there are various shuffling methods. A shuffle tracker analyzes these methods to find out where clumps of cards end up in the deck so that they can predict when they will appear. Because casino rules dictate that players get to cut the cards during shuffling, a shuffle tracker can work to "cut out" some cards and keep others.
In shuffle tracking, the player is looking to get the same cards deemed favorable in card counting. They must avoid low cards. How a player predicts the location of these cards, and get to use them in play is complicated business. It takes lots of practice and keen observation and sometimes even with everything is done right, the cards still do not fall one's way. Yet adherents of the technique say it is worth it. Shuffle tracking is said to give an advantage of 1-4%. Combined with basic strategy and card counting, shuffle tracking becomes a formidable gambling weapon that gives the casinos a run for their money.
