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Advantage Slots
21Blackjack
Expert

Shuffle Tracking

Complete Advantage Play Strategy Guide

21
21

Blackjack

Quick Stats

Expected Edge

2-3%

Bankroll Required

Very High ($10,000+)

Time to Learn

12+ months

Additional Metrics

edge When Successful
2-3%
skill Required
Extreme
modern Opportunity
Very limited

Overview

Tracking groups of high cards through the shuffle to predict when they'll appear. Far more powerful than counting but requires team play and extraordinary concentration.

Strategy

Identify shuffle procedures. Track zones of high/low cards through the shuffle. Use betting patterns to exploit rich zones. Requires counting skill plus spatial memory and shuffle analysis. Almost always done with a team.

What to Look For

  • Simple shuffles with predictable procedures
  • Dealers who shuffle the same way every time
  • Multiple deck shoes (6-8 decks)
  • Poor deck penetration games (tracking helps more)
  • High-limit rooms for bet spreading

Risks & Considerations

  • Extremely difficult to learn and execute
  • Requires team coordination
  • Detection leads to immediate backoff
  • Modern shuffling machines eliminate opportunity
  • High variance even with edge

Pro Tip

Always start with proper bankroll management. Even with an edge, variance can be brutal. Never risk more than 1-2% of your total bankroll on a single session, and ensure you have at least 20-30 buy-ins for your chosen stakes.

Basic Strategy Chart

4-6 Decks, S17, DAS, Late Surrender

Legend
HHit
SStand
DDouble (Hit if not allowed)
DSDouble (Stand if not allowed)
PSplit
RhSurrender (Hit if not allowed)
RsSurrender (Stand if not allowed)
Hard Total2345678910A
9
H
D
D
D
D
H
H
H
H
H
10
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
H
H
11
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
12
H
H
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
13
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
14
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
15
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
Rh
Rh
16
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
Rh
Rh
Rh
5-8
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
17+
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S

Pro Tips

  • • Always split Aces and 8s
  • • Never split 5s or 10s
  • • Double down on 11 against everything except Ace
  • • Stand on 17 or higher (except soft 17)
  • • Never take insurance (unless counting cards at TC +3)

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