The Burn Card: Why so important?

[tribute]

Why is it advantageous to the casino to burn a card off the top? Is it a counter measure for shuffle tracking? Relief dealers also burn a card when entering a partially dealt shoe. I have even seen casinos burn five or six cards as their standard rule. How much effect does one card really make?

 

[BJLFS]

I think it's to throw off counters. But what the casinos don't understand is burning a card will all average out to 0. They are just as likely to burn a bad card as a neutral or good one. Remember that all's it will take a a few shoes to even out. I think it's a BS tactic.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

Not all casinos burn a card, but if it is part of their shuffle procedure it must be done.

It could prevent the first dealt card being peeked at during the shuffle or reshoeing. Burning a card dates back at least to faro, when the first card was called the soda card and was burned.

 

[MangoJ]

I think it's to throw off counters. But what the casinos don't understand is burning a card will all average out to 0. They are just as likely to burn a bad card as a neutral or good one. Remember that all's it will take a a few shoes to even out. I think it's a BS tactic.

If you are counting and supposely playing the majority in a positive count - it is more likely to burn a high card than a low card.

The effect is real but small. It is equivalent to a reduced penetration (of 1 card less).

 

[BJLFS]

If you are counting and supposely playing the majority in a positive count - it is more likely to burn a high card than a low card.

The effect is real but small. It is equivalent to a reduced penetration (of 1 card less).

In that sense that's right.

 

[zengrifter]

If you are counting and supposely playing the majority in a positive count - it is more likely to burn a high card than a low card.

Huh? zg

 

[moo321]

It has nothing to do with counting. It's a protection measure designed to stop you from betting based on having peaked or marked the top card. Same reason they use a brush to cover up the next card in a shoe. Same reason you burn a card before dealing flop/turn/river in poker.

 

[bjcardcounter]

It has nothing to do with counting. It's a protection measure designed to stop you from betting based on having peaked or marked the top card. Same reason they use a brush to cover up the next card in a shoe. Same reason you burn a card before dealing flop/turn/river in poker.

Good moo, I asked the PB once, he had no idea why.:joker: