Blackjack Casino Dealers Work

More Secrets of Gaming

The second warning signal that you may be being cheated also involves a false shuffle. Again, the mechanics of the shuffle will be undetectable, but the result of the shuffle will be that the dealer will get a natural on the first hand. This type of cheating is most easily accomplished by crooked dealers in hand-held games. There are dozens of methods a card expert could use to control just one ace and one ten to be dealt to his own hand after the shuffle, and you will not see any of them. Just remember that a dealer should get a blackjack about once out of every twenty hands. If he gets a blackjack first hand after a shuffle, it's probably just luck. The odds against him getting a natural in two consecutive first hands after shuffling are more than 400 to 1, and the odds against it happening a third time in a row are more than 8,000 to 1. It's still probably just luck, but I'd find another dealer.
One other bad sign: Be wary of any dealer in a hand-held casino game who accidentally deals two cards instead of one. This could be a sign that the dealer was attempting to hold back the top card and bet the card beneath it. In fact, any time you feel uncomfortable about the honesty of a game, leave the table. Don't take chances. If you think a dealer is handling the cards in an unnatural or suspicious manner, don't try to catch him in the act of cheating. You will probably be unable to spot it, and if you do, you will probably not be able to prove it. Reporting suspected cheats to the casino will get you nowhere. Unless you can provide solid evidence, and you have witnesses to back you up, you will be viewed as a troublemaker, a paranoid nut, a sore loser, or possibly a scam artist.

The Honest Dealers

Most blackjack casino dealers are honest. If you are on a losing streak, don't blame cheating dealers. If you're playing for high stakes, you would be wise to seek a demonstration, and possibly an instructional course, from a card expert who thoroughly understands cheating moves, especially those used in casino blackjack. There are also books and videotapes available on the subject. Still, don't expect to see a good cheat. I've had personal demonstrations by some of the best cardsharps in the world; I've had the moves explained to me in detail and performed in slow motion. All a card sharp can teach you is how to spot a sloppy or inexperienced cheat. An expert is undetectable, and unless you have proof, your best defense is to quit that table as soon as you think something's amiss.

Private Blackjack Game

You should avoid getting involved in "private" illegal blackjack games. If you play for high stakes, and especially if you take junkets with other high rollers, you are liable to be invited to play in risky private games. I know one pro who couldn't resist such an offer, and he didn't realize he was being cheated until he'd lost $15,000. Stick to the legal casinos-you're less likely to be cheated.
In some cases, bosses will castigate dealers when they go on losing streaks. Likewise, bosses in some casinos are called on the carpet when their pit does not perform up to expectations. There is very little job security in the casino industry, and the pressure to show a healthy profit for the company can be great. The dealer who learns to short-pay is often just trying to keep the boss smiling. The boss who never notices the payout errors simply wants the shift manager off his back. The danger to the industry, however, is that any dealer who cans short-pay can just as easily overpay. Such a dealer might be tempted to collude with friends who can pick up a few overpays every shift.