Protect Yourselves from Fraudsters

Usual method of stacking consists of inserting in the upper half of the pack of cards used in the game a proportion of high cards larger than normal. The pack so set is offered for a cut to a player, namely to “that player” who generally cuts in the middle. After the cut, the upper half becomes the lower half. Often, only the first half of the pack is dealt in an actual game, and then the cards are shuffled anew. In such a case the final effect is the same as that achieved by removing a number of high cards from the pack.

We will make here a few additional remarks concerning shuffling. In a casino no matter what the game is, one does not like to see someone shuffling the cards with a” push in, pull out” movement and keeping the hands on the cards all the time. In this case it is nearly impossible to determine whether the cards “pulled out are different from those which were pushed in.” Hence, it is difficult to ascertain that there has been any real shuffling. This is one of the most common forms of cheating. In blackjack it is, probably; better if one plays at a full table when the cards are not shuffled thoroughly.

We have discussed above some of the technical aspects of peeking, dealing seconds, and stacking. As we have already said the reader should not infer that most casinos cheat. In fact, it is our opinion that the general policy of major casinos is to deal the games honestly. Nevertheless, we prefer the blackjack games which are dealt from a shoe. With the exception of stacking, the main method of cheating in such games is by altering the composition of the pack of cards inside the shoe. If high cards are removed and low ones are added, the expectation of the house increases. Such an alteration is, however, material evidence in case of inspection. We do not believe that such altered shoes are used in major casinos.

1. Peeking and dealing seconds cannot be detected when executed competently. The peeping Tom does his work so cleanly. Those who say otherwise do not know what they are talking about. Even a slow motion replay of a film taken with a high-speed camera will not reveal anything, unless the film is taken at “the right angle.” Suspicious movements, yes, can be observed. Nevertheless, for various reasons, cheating cannot be inferred on the basis of such movements.

2. The best blackjack player cannot obtain more than a small advantage over the house. This player will end by being a loser if cheated once or twice per hour. In fact he will, probably, end by being a loser even if cheated only once every two hours, if the cheating takes place at the right time.

A skillful player will need many days of playing to recuperate what he may lose in one playing session against a skillful cheat.

The above remarks explain why an honest game is so essential for the skillful player. The average gambler loses his money in any case if he plays long enough, no matter how the game is dealt. It does not matter if the player is insured is going to surrender his bets.

The above remarks also explain why we should prefer blackjack games dealt from a shoe. We do not like to place ourselves in a situation in which someone can cheat us, with a sleight-of-hand nobody can see. There is a major difference between participating in games in which cheating creates material evidence and participating in games in which cheating can be done by sleight-of-hand.