Casino reactions Card counting

1 casino reactions

1.1 detection
1.2 technology detecting card counters
1.3 countermeasures

casino reactions
detection

monitoring player behavior assist detecting card counters falls hands of on-floor casino personnel ( pit bosses ) , casino-surveillance personnel, may use video surveillance ( eye in sky ) computer analysis, try spot playing behavior indicative of card counting. counter-strategies featured dealers learning count cards recognize patterns in players. many casino chains keep databases of players consider undesirable. casinos can subscribe databases of advantage players offered agencies griffin investigations, biometrica , osn (oregon surveillance network). griffin investigations filed chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2005 after losing libel lawsuit filed professional gamblers. in 2008 chapter 11 payments said date , requirements met, , information being supplied using data encryption , secure servers. if player found in such database, stopped play , asked leave regardless of table play. successful card counters, therefore, skill @ cover behavior, hide counting , avoid drawing heat , possibly being barred, may important playing skill.

detection of card counters confirmed after player first suspected of counting cards; when seeking card counters, casino employees, whatever position, alerted many things common when related card counting not common other players.these include:

large buy-ins
dramatic bet variation larger bets being placed @ end of shoe
playing small number of hands during shoe
refusal play rated
table hopping
playing multiple hands
lifetime win
racial profiling (in non-u.s. locations)

card counters may make unique playing strategy deviations not used non-counters. plays such splitting tens, doubling soft 18/19/20, standing on 15/16, , surrendering on 14, when basic strategy says otherwise, may sign of card counter.

extremely aggressive plays such splitting tens , doubling soft 19 , 20 called out pit notify them because telltale signs of not card counters hole carding.

technology detecting card counters

several semi-automated systems have been designed aid detection of card counters. mindplay system (now discontinued) scanned card values cards dealt. shuffle master intelligent shoe system scans card values cards exit shoe. software called bloodhound , protec 21 allow voice input of card , bet values, in attempt determine player edge. more recent innovation use of rfid signatures embedded within casino chips table can automatically track bet amounts.

automated card-reading technology has known abuse potential in can used simplify practice of preferential shuffling — having dealer reshuffle cards whenever odds favor players. comply licensing regulations, blackjack protection systems have been designed delay access real-time data on remaining cards in shoe. other vendors consider real-time notification surveillance shoe hot important product feature.

with card values, play decisions, , bet decisions conveniently accessible, casino can analyze bet variation, play accuracy, , play variation.

bet variation. simplest way card counter makes money bet more when has edge. while playing tapes of recent session of play, software can generate scatter plot of amount bet versus count @ time bet made , find trendline best fits scattered points. if player not counting cards, there no trend; bet variation , count variation not consistently correlate. if player counting , varying bets according count, there trend slope reflects player s average edge technique.

play variation. when card counters vary basic strategy, in response count, gain additional edge. software can verify whether there pattern play variation. of particular interest whether player (when count positive) takes insurance , stands on 16 versus dealer 10, plays differently when count negative.

countermeasures

casinos have spent great amount of effort , money in trying thwart card counters. countermeasures used prevent card counters profiting @ blackjack include:

decreasing penetration, number of cards dealt before shuffle. reduces advantage of card counting.
banning known counters playing blackjack, games, or entering casino property (trespassing).
shuffling when player increases wager or when casino feels remaining cards advantageous player (preferential shuffling).
changing rules splitting, doubling down, or playing multiple hands. includes changing table s stakes.
not allowing entry game until shuffle occurs (no mid-shoe entry).
flat betting player or making cannot change amount bet during shoe.
cancelling comps earned counters.
confiscation of chips.
detention (backrooming).

some jurisdictions (e.g. nevada) have few legal restrictions placed on these countermeasures. other jurisdictions such new jersey limit countermeasures casino can take against skilled players. casinos have resorted physical assaults deter card counters. assaults less common in days of card counting.

some countermeasures result in disadvantages casino. frequent or complex shuffling, example, reduces amount of playing time , consequently house winnings. casinos use automatic shuffling machines counter loss of time, models of machines shuffling 1 set of cards while in play. others, known continuous shuffle machines (csms), allow dealer return used cards single shoe allow playing no interruption. because csms force minimal penetration, reduce advantage of traditional counting techniques. in online casinos deck shuffled @ start of each new round, ensuring house has advantage.