Shoe

A shoe is a device used to hold and dispense playing cards at table games like blackjack, baccarat, and poker. Shoes typically hold 4, 6, or 8 decks of cards. Using multiple decks increases the house edge compared to single-deck games, as it makes card counting more difficult. In online casinos, the concept of a shoe is simulated digitally, with virtual decks shuffled by RNG. Live dealer games show the actual shoe on camera, and some games display a 'cards remaining' indicator. The number of decks in the shoe directly affects optimal strategy and the house edge in blackjack.