To shuffle is to mix a deck or shoe of cards into a random order before dealing. Casinos shuffle by hand, with automatic shuffling machines, or, in online RNG games, with software that effectively reshuffles before every hand. A fair shuffle means every order of the cards is equally likely, so nobody can predict what comes next.
A shuffle randomises the order of the cards; a 52-card deck has about 8.07 × 10^67 possible orders.
Most online RNG card games reshuffle every hand, which Wizard of Odds says trims the blackjack house edge slightly.
Continuous shuffling machines return cards to the mix constantly, which defeats card counting.
UK rules require simulated card games to have the same probabilities as a real deck.
Meaning
Mixing cards into a random order
Orders of one deck
52! ≈ 8.07 × 10^67
Online RNG games
Usually reshuffled every hand
Effect of shuffling every hand
-0.02% house edge (six decks), -0.11% (one deck)
Continuous shuffler
Cards return to the mix after each round
What shuffling means at a casino
Shuffling is the step that makes card games fair. Until the cards are mixed, their order carries information from the last round; afterwards it shouldn't carry any. The number of possible orders is enormous: one 52-card deck can be arranged in 52 × 51 × 50 × … × 1 ways, written 52!, which is about 8.07 × 10^67. A well-shuffled deck is almost certainly in an order that has never existed before.
This glossary entry covers the main shuffling methods, how online games do it, what UK rules require, and the myths about 'bad shuffles'.
Shuffling methods: hand, machine and software
How cards are shuffled in different settings
Method
How it works
Where you meet it
Hand shuffle
The dealer riffles, strips and mixes the cards, then a player or dealer cuts
Land-based tables; some live studios
Automatic shuffler (batch)
A machine shuffles one set of decks while another is in play
Land-based and live tables
Continuous shuffling machine
Used cards go back into the machine after each round, so the mix never runs down
Some blackjack tables
RNG shuffle
Software draws cards at random from a virtual deck, usually fresh each hand
In RNG games there is no physical deck. Wizard of Odds' online blackjack notes (opens in a new tab) say most online casinos use a random number generator and shuffle after every hand. That has a small effect on the maths: shuffling after every hand lowers the blackjack house edge by about 0.02% in a six-deck game and 0.11% in a one-deck game. On £10 hands, that's 0.2p and 1.1p a hand respectively.
Card counting depends on cards staying out of play until the next shuffle. The deeper a dealer goes into a shoe before shuffling, the more a counter could in theory learn. The Wikipedia card counting article (opens in a new tab) notes that continuous shuffling machines greatly reduce that, and that online games shuffled each round remove it. Live tables also shuffle early: Wizard of Odds reports Evolution's Lightning Blackjack reshuffles its eight-deck shoe after about four decks. Counting isn't illegal in Britain, but casinos can refuse to deal to suspected counters. Our card counting page covers the history, and continuous shuffling machines explains how they work.
Shuffle myths: new shuffles, 'bad' dealers and luck
A new shuffle doesn't change your luck, and a dealer can't 'shuffle the wins out' of a game. For a player who isn't tracking cards, the chance of any card on any hand is the same before and after a shuffle: one card in 13 is an ace, whatever happened last round. Each hand is an independent event for practical purposes. If you worry an online game is unfair, see is blackjack rigged online? and read about edge sorting, a real but rare attack on poorly shuffled cards.
Shuffled card games live in the table and live lobbies, while the offers below are mainly for slots. Card and live games are often excluded or weighted lower for wagering, so read the terms first. 18+ and terms apply.
Casumo: opt in as a new customer and deposit £20 or more for a 50% bonus up to £100, wagered 10x within 7 days with a £5 bet limit. 10bet: a 100% match up to £25 for new UK customers, wagered 10x on slots within 3 days, with bonus winnings capped at £1,000 and Skrill and Neteller deposits excluded. Coral: bet £10 on slots after depositing to receive 100 free spins at 10p each on selected games, with 48 hours to accept, 7 days to use and no wagering on winnings.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only. Opt-in required. 50% deposit bonus up to £100 on first deposit. Minimum deposit £20. 10x wagering on the bonus amount. Maximum bet or spin £5. Bonus valid for 7 days. Game, play and payment method restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers only. Select the casino welcome bonus at sign-up and make your first deposit within 7 days. 100% bonus up to £25. Wager the bonus 10x on slots within 3 days. Maximum bonus winnings £1,000. Skrill and Neteller deposits do not qualify. Bonus is not redeemable. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our 10bet reviewLicence: Blue Star Planet Limited, Gambling Commission account 43173. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What does shuffle mean in casino games?
To shuffle is to mix the cards into a random order before dealing, so nobody can predict what comes next. Casinos shuffle by hand, by machine or, online, with a random number generator. A fair shuffle makes every order of the cards equally likely. Our blackjack hub explains how this fits into the deal.
Do online casinos shuffle after every hand?
Most RNG table games do. Wizard of Odds says most online casinos shuffle after every hand, using a random number generator. Live dealer games are different: they use real cards and shoes, shuffled by hand or by machine at set points. The game's help screen explains which applies. See live against RNG games.
What is a continuous shuffling machine?
A continuous shuffling machine is a device that takes used cards back after each round and mixes them in with the rest, so the shoe never runs down. It speeds up the game and stops players gaining anything from tracking cards. Some land-based and live blackjack tables use them. Our page on continuous shuffling machines explains more.
Does shuffling change the odds?
For most players, no. Before and after a shuffle, the chance of any particular card is the same, and the house edge is set by the rules. The exception is small: shuffling after every blackjack hand lowers the edge by about 0.02% with six decks, according to Wizard of Odds. Read about the house edge in blackjack.
Can a dealer cheat with the shuffle?
At UK-licensed casinos, shuffling procedures, cameras and supervision are there to stop that, and RNG games are tested by approved test houses. Cheating with a shuffle would need skills and access that regulated studios are set up to prevent. If you have a concern about a game, complain to the operator first. See how to know a game is not rigged.
How many ways can a deck be shuffled?
A standard 52-card deck can be arranged in 52! ways: 52 × 51 × 50 and so on down to 1. That comes to about 8.07 × 10^67, a number with 68 digits. It means a properly shuffled deck is almost certainly in an order that has never been seen before. Our probability guide explains how such counts work.
We use no tracking cookies. We store one item in your browser to remember this notice. Casino sites may set their own cookies after you follow an advert link. Cookie policy
