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The Decks of Cards
Casinos use one, two, four, six and sometimes as many as eight decks of cards in their blackjack games. Often, within the same casino, single and multiple deck games will be offered. Most games outside Nevada are multiple deck games of at least four decks.
Blackjack played with a single deck of cards is called a single deck game, with two or more decks, is called a multiple deck game. Essentially, whether played as a single deck or multiple deck, the rules are the same.
When one or two decks are used, the dealer holds the cards in his hand. When more than two decks are used, the cards are dealt from a rectangular plastic or wooden device known as shoe. the shoe is designed to hold multiple decks of cards, and allows the cards to be easily removed one at a time by the dealer.
Each deck used in a blackjack is a standard pack of 52 cards, consisting of 4 cards of each value, Ace through King. Suits have no relevance in blackjack. Only the numerical value of the cards count.
In a multiple deck game, the player's cards are typically dealt face up and are not supposed to be handled or touched except by the dealer. In a single deck game, the player's cards are dealt face down and are handled by the player.
Does it matter if your cards are dealt face up? Strategically, no, because the dealer has no options and must play by the rules of the game, draw to 17 or better, and then stand. Some people think that the game is more fun when the cards are dealt face down, but realistically, it is how you play the cards that is most important, not whether or not they are face up or face down.
Originally, in the 60's, 70's, and somewhat into the 80's, most of the blackjack games offered were played as single deck affairs. Since the 80's most blackjack games offered use multiple decks dealt out of a shoe.
Multiple deck games became popular for two reasons. First, with less shuffling involved, casinos were able to deal more hands per hour and increase their profits. Second, casinos reasoned that more decks would stop the card counters from getting an edge against them.
Do multiple decks stop card counters as casinos intended? Not at all. It is a common misconception that it is hard for a player to count cards in a multiple deck game. On the contrary, the skills necessary to beat the multiple deck game are no different than what is needed for a single deck one!