I didn't mean to mislead with the point of counting down 8 decks. New Jersey does not (or did not) prohibit a casino from calling for a shuffle when it deemed necessary or cutting the shoe in half or anywhere else in the shoe it desired. A shuffle could be called after the first hand in the shoe if management saw fit to do so. I have been away from A.C. a long time and don't know if they still have that leaway. Chuck T.