Do Online Casinos Rig Blackjack Decks?
Online casinos don’t use physical decks like live dealers do. Instead, they rely on random number generators (RNGs) to shuffle the cards instantly after every hand.
In theory, this makes each round independent. That doesn’t mean all games are fair. Rogue casinos manipulate digital blackjack to reduce a player’s winning chances.
How Online Blackjack Differs from Live Dealer Games
In live dealer blackjack, casinos use real decks, and shuffling happens at predictable intervals. Although difficult, smart blackjack players can track the cards.
Online RNG blackjack resets the deck after every hand, eliminating card counting. The main risk in online blackjack isn’t deck manipulation—it’s playing at an unlicensed casino.
In 2017, BetOnline’s live dealer pulled a second card from the deck after seeing the player’s hand. More recently, rogue offshore sites use software that appears fair but favors the house.
Why Shuffling Frequency Can Impact Your Edge
Live blackjack dealers shuffle when the shoe reaches a certain point. Unfortunately, some casinos shuffle earlier to disrupt advantage play. Online, every hand is random, which means deck penetration is irrelevant.
Casinos still have control over payout settings, bet limits, and even AI-driven adjustments that could target winning players. If an online casino rigs the game, you’ll notice sudden shifts—winning streaks followed by impossible losing streaks.
Players report patterns where the dealer consistently gets high-value cards when they raise bets. To avoid rigged blackjack, play at online US casinos with licenses from third-party audits like eCOGRA or iTech Labs.
Can Online Casinos Change the Shuffle to Limit Your Wins?
Online casinos claim their blackjack games are fair, but not all sites are transparent. While legitimate sites use certified random number generators (RNGs), some casinos adjust their algorithms to reduce player winnings.
How RNGs Work in Blackjack
An RNG is a mathematical system that continuously generates sequences of random numbers, even when no one is playing.
Each number corresponds to a specific card in the deck when a player hits or stands. The software pulls the next available number to determine the outcome.
This means:
- There’s no memory of previous cards.
- The deck doesn’t run out, so strategies like card counting are impossible.
- The RNG calculates each hand in isolation, eliminating deck penetration.
Traditional advantage play—like tracking high-value cards—fails in RNG blackjack. A poorly designed or manipulated RNG can create patterns that unfairly boost the house edge.
Why Every Hand Is Independent (No Deck Penetration)
In land-based blackjack, casinos use deck penetration to decide when to reshuffle. Expert blackjack players estimate future probabilities by tracking dealt cards.
However, some casinos did tweak their RNG blackjack software to adjust win probabilities based on a player’s behavior. For example:
- Pattern-based losses: Some players report that after winning a few hands, the dealer suddenly starts drawing perfect 20s and 21s.
- Algorithmic adjustments: After a player’s bets increase, the odds shift slightly against them. While reputable casinos don’t engage in this, unlicensed ones can manipulate RNG settings without oversight.
Algorithmic Adjustments vs. True Randomness
In a fair game, each blackjack hand should be independent, meaning past results don’t influence future outcomes.
Some casinos “change the shuffle” mid-game. For example, players have reported where they lost after increasing their bets.
In 2018, a well-known offshore casino faced scrutiny after multiple players noticed suspicious losing streaks after big wins.
How Some Casinos Use Bet Limits and Session Tracking
Instead of altering the shuffle, online casinos can limit your ability to win using other tactics such as bet limits. If you start winning consistently, the casino caps its maximum bet to prevent you from capitalizing on a hot streak.
Session tracking is another way casinos indirectly influence results. They monitor player behavior and adjust game dynamics accordingly.
If you’ve been winning for a while, the algorithm causes the dealer to win more frequently. Be wary of sites with extreme wagering limits or sudden losing streaks after large wins.
Withdraw your money if a casino shows unfair patterns and report it to player advocacy groups.
How Online Casinos Manipulate Blackjack Outcomes
1. Unusual Betting Patterns or Increased Reshuffling
In traditional blackjack, live dealers shuffle the deck. In RNG-based online blackjack, the casino shuffles the deck after every hand.
Abrupt shifts in game behavior mean the casino’s software is adjusting in real time to limit your chances of winning.
After a big win, players suddenly see:
- More frequent reshuffling in live dealer games.
- The dealer consistently pulls 20s or 21s when the player raises bets.
- Unusual losing streaks that seem mathematically improbable.
2. Reports from Other Players on Trustpilot and Casino Forums
Before depositing real money, check online reviews from real players on platforms like:
- Trustpilot: Users leave reviews about withdrawal issues, unfair losses, or suspicious gameplay.
- Reddit & Bitcointalk Forums: Players share their experience at rogue blackjack casinos that tweak results.
