How fair are simulated card shuffles? RNG table game deep dive

Card games like poker, baccarat, and blackjack used to be exclusive services at specialised tables inside gaming halls, and each one could only cater to a handful of players at a time. That changed now, with platforms like Gamdom. How do they work, and are they fair? Read on for a deep dive into online casino card shuffle.  

Key takeaways

• Shuffling cards in online casinos is powered by software. Random number generators (RNGs) ensure that digital decks are mixed instantly and fairly.
• Online card games rely on two types of randomness, namely true random number generators (TRNG) and pseudo-random generators (PRNG). 

What is a simulated card shuffle, and how does it affect your experience at online casinos? All of that will be explored below:

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Differentiation: physical cards vs digital cards

Cards, in the context of casino gaming, refer to a deck with four suits (clubs, spades, diamonds, and hearts) and ranks 2 to 10, followed by Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. Most casino card games forgo the jokers, keeping a deck limited to just 52 cards a pack. In games like baccarat and blackjack, the dealer often stacks 6 or 8 decks in the boot. 

These are the fundamentals followed by all casino operators and game providers for their casino card games. The main difference between them is how the card arrangement is randomised. Physical decks are either shuffled by hand or using a machine. Simulated card shuffle uses random number generators (RNG) or variations of this technology. 

Physical cards are easy to comprehend. It’s just an external force, a person or machine, stacking the deck manually. A simulated card shuffle is a bit more complex because the deck is virtual; therefore, its arrangement is not defined by physics. Instead, it has to be reconstructed as data, which makes the process instant compared to a physical card shuffle. 

How does a simulated card shuffle work?

Online casinos rely on RNG to mimic the randomness of physical shuffling. These are complex algorithms that generate numbers quickly, with each number corresponding to card draws. Licensed online casinos must use certified RNGs, and independent agencies audit these algorithms to ensure integrity. 

RNG works because it generates unbiased outcomes. Every card dealt is an independent statistical event, meaning that nothing leaks into or influences the next round. The online casino shuffle algorithm ensures no pattern is formed that the player or house can exploit. 

Two kinds of randomness in simulated card shuffles

Further clarification needs to be addressed in the nature of RNG online casino technology: there are two of them. One is called the true random number generator (TRNG) and the other is the pseudo random number generator (PRNG). Both mimic the randomness of shuffling for online casino card games, but the methods are fundamentally different. 

Here is the difference between TRNG and PRNG:

True Randomness (TRNG)

The true random number generator, or TRNG, is an external physical device. They sometimes look like plugged-in flash drives or processing rigs, giving an online casino game the power to randomly generate seeds. TRNG is costly and slower than PRNG, and while it produces true randomness, it is rarely used directly in online casino card games.

How it works revolves around the device’s sensors that ‘listens to’ or ‘feels’ the environment. It receives signals from noise, electronic waves, temperature, or even vibrations. This digitises input into 1s and 0s, and that is converted into a seed, which is then translated into the outcome of a simulated card shuffle. 

Pseudo Randomness (PRNG)

Pseudo randomness, or PRNG, is the more popular online casino shuffle algorithm for most game providers because it’s cheaper and easier to implement. They are fast, scalable, and straightforward to integrate with game software. Auditing agencies also find it easier to test in a laboratory because they can review the seeding process and produce huge samples. 

An RNG online casino using this algorithm starts with a secret seed and churns out a long sequence of numbers that simulate random behaviours. Someone with access to the seed can reproduce its sequence, but the output is indistinguishable from TRNG. The PRNG seed is securely stored and used by the game software; while players cannot access it, the casino system uses it to generate outcomes.

Summary of comparison: TRNG vs PRNG

Most virtual poker games that use an online casino shuffle algorithm rely on PRNG technology. It enables long play time and fast rounds, while being easier to verify for license providers as a provably fair technology. 

Here’s a summary of the comparison between the two types of RNG:

Simulated card shuffles in online table games

The online casino card games that don’t have physical cards or a dealer tending your table are powered by simulated card shuffles. Here are three examples and how to play them at Gamdom: 

Online Andar Bahar

Andar Bahar by OneTouch is a simple game of guessing which side will win. It starts with a side bet where you guess the rank of the middle card. When a joker is revealed, you place a bet on Andar (A) or Bahar (B). Cards are placed alternatingly between Andar and Bahar, and where the card with the same rank as the joker lands is the winning side. 

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Online blackjack

Classic Blackjack by OneTouch lets you place bets on up to three hands at a time. The dealer only places cards on the hands where you bet. It’s a simple game of forming the better hand than the dealer without reaching a bust. To win, your hand’s total must be higher than the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21. Use strategic blackjack bets to win at Gamdom.

Dragon Tiger

First Person Dragon Tiger by Evolution is a simple game where you guess which side between Dragon or Tiger, gets a higher-ranked card. You can also bet on a tie if both sides have the same rank, or a suited tie if they have the same rank and suit. Want to step up your strategies? Check out these helpful Dragon Tiger tips from Gamdom. 

Common myths about simulated card shuffles debunked

Being sceptical of game design choices is good consumer practice. However, it can breed harmful myths or misconceptions that shape player behaviours. It’s important to debunk them. Here are common myths about online casino card shuffle and the truth behind them:

Online shuffles are rigged to favour the casino

The games you play at Gamdom are provided by independent game developers. Gamdom itself does not influence the outcome, and strict regulations ensure the games remain fair. Plus, strict organisations and licensing authorities protect consumers from game rigging of any kind. 

Algorithms are designed to avoid repetition 

If outcomes happen in sequence, pattern, or repetition, then it is purely coincidental. That can happen sometimes with real-world cards and dice, too. Simulated card shuffle algorithms are unpredictable and uncontrollable, so repetition can sometimes happen. 

Simulated card games owe you a win after a losing streak

Some players believe online casino card shuffle follows a karmic system, in which if you lose too many times, it owes you a win on a certain number of rounds. This happens because many non-casino games use this system, offering the players a guaranteed win on the nth roll. Verified PRNG mechanisms do not follow this system, and the same applies to all games offered on Gamdom. 

TRNG is the superior mechanism

With its name and concept, you may think that true randomness is better than pseudo-randomness. Although true randomness may sound superior, statistically, results from both TRNG and PRNG are indistinguishable. Both have limitations, but game providers and auditing parties favour PRNG for its scalability and verifiability. 

Faster clicks influence the shuffle

In physical decks, multiple shuffles are used to achieve sufficient randomness. The online casino shuffle algorithm doesn’t have physical limitations. It can churn a random sequence instantly, and that becomes the new output of a shuffle. If the game shows long shuffling animations, that’s just for flavour and presentation, not function. 

Play simulated card games at Gamdom with confidence

Simulated card games at Gamdom are powered by RNG from the most reputable game providers in iGaming. You are guaranteed to have a high-quality gambling experience for a rich, fulfilling betting session. Play your favourite card games on mobile and win Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or Tether (USDT). 

May your deeper understanding of online casino card shuffle give you a better experience when playing online casino card games. The technology may change over time as providers explore more innovation in the iGaming industry. When they do, you can count on Gamdom to bring the best quality service to you any time and anywhere. 

For immersive casino gaming, try live table games

Words: Team Gamdom