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Pitch games vs shoe games: how the cards are dealt

In a pitch game, the dealer holds one or two decks and pitches cards face down. In a shoe game, six or eight decks are dealt face up from a box. Fewer decks help the player, but only if the payout and rules stay good.

Reviewed Oct 14, 2026

Answer first

90s

Feature	Pitch game (1–2 decks)	Shoe game (6–8 decks)
Cards dealt	Face down	Face up
Touch cards	Yes, one hand	No
Common payout	3 to 2 or 6 to 5	Usually 3 to 2
Edge, good rules	About 0.2% to 0.4%	About 0.5% to 0.6%
Hands per hour	About 70 to 80	About 60 to 70

Key numbers

Two games in four numbers

1 or 2Pitch decksHeld by the dealer

6 or 8Shoe decksDealt from a box

About 1.4%6 to 5 costAdded to the edge

About 0.25%Deck effectSingle vs six decks

In short

Key takeaways

Fewer decks lower the house edge, all else equal.
A 6 to 5 single-deck game is worse than a 3 to 2 six-deck shoe.
In pitch games you hold your cards and signal with them; in shoe games you only use hand signals.
Check the payout sign before choosing by deck count.

On the felt

Two ways to see a hand

Pitch: your cards face down
You pick them up with one hand
Shoe: your cards face up
You never touch them
Dealer upcard
Same in both games

The rules of play are the same; the handling is different.

Edge by game (common rules)

Game	Payout	Approx edge
Single deck, S17	3 to 2	About 0.15%
Double deck, H17	3 to 2	About 0.6%
Six-deck shoe, S17, DAS	3 to 2	About 0.4%
Single deck	6 to 5	About 1.6%
Eight-deck shoe, H17	3 to 2	About 0.65%

Exact edges vary with doubling and surrender rules.

Handling in a pitch game

Pick up your cards with one hand and keep them over the table. To hit, scrape the cards toward you on the felt. To stand, slide them under your chips.

To double or split, turn the cards face up and add chips next to your bet.

Signals compared

Action	Pitch game	Shoe game
Hit	Scrape cards toward you	Tap the felt
Stand	Tuck cards under chips	Wave hand flat
Double	Turn cards up, add chips	Add chips beside bet
Split	Turn cards up, add chips	Add chips, show two fingers

Cameras need clear signals.

Why casinos prefer shoes

Shoes allow more players per dealer and reduce card handling mistakes. Many casinos also use continuous shufflers, which remove the shuffle break.

Pitch games remain popular in Reno, downtown Las Vegas and some regional casinos.

Sequence

Choosing a table

Step 01
Read the payout sign
3 to 2 first.
Step 02
Check dealer soft 17 rule
Stands is better.
Step 03
Count the decks
Fewer helps.
Step 04
Check doubling rules
Any two cards is best.
Step 05
Watch the pace
Pitch can be faster.

Card counting note

Counting is easier with fewer decks, so casinos often shuffle pitch games early. Penetration, how deep the dealer deals, matters as much as deck count.

Counting is legal, but casinos can ask counters to leave.

Floor rules

Game terms

Know before you sit

Pitch game: Hand-held single or double deck.
Shoe: A box holding several decks.
Penetration: How far into the decks the dealer deals.
S17: Dealer stands on soft 17.

Online deck counts

Online blackjack games state their deck count and rules in the help screen. RNG games often reshuffle after every hand, so deck count matters only for the basic edge, not for counting.

Single-deck online games with 3 to 2 pays are rare but worth seeking.

Common mistakes

Choosing single deck at 6 to 5: A 3 to 2 shoe is better.
Using two hands in a pitch game: One hand only.
Touching shoe cards: Not allowed.
Ignoring soft 17 rules: They change the edge.

Keep reading

Go play

Where to play in Las Vegas

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After the 90 seconds

Questions before and after you play

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

01Basics

What is a pitch game in blackjack?

A single or double-deck game where the dealer holds the cards and pitches them face down to players.

What is a shoe game?

A game dealt face up from a box holding six or eight decks. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Which has a lower house edge?

Pitch games, if the payout is 3 to 2 and the other rules match. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

02Rules

Can I touch the cards?

In pitch games, yes, with one hand. In shoe games, no. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Do pitch games pay 6 to 5?

Many do. Always check the sign on the felt. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Is double deck good?

A 3 to 2 double-deck game with good rules is one of the best games available. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

03Where to play

Where are pitch games common?

Reno, downtown Las Vegas and some regional casinos. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Are online games pitch or shoe?

Online games state the deck count; many use six or eight decks. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Do shoe games use shufflers?

Many use continuous or automatic shufflers. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Sources

Wizard of Odds — Blackjack house edge calculator Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Edge by rules
Wizard of Odds — Blackjack Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules
Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER