Countermeasures Used against Card Counters
In my post on Avoiding the Attention of Pit Bosses I gave some advice to card counters and shuffle trackers to help them continue practicing their techniques without getting caught. But I realized that the best way to continue on getting an advantage over the casinos is by learning about the specific countermeasures they employ against advantage players. Casinos are far from mediocre when it comes to finding ways to ensure that it is they who make a profit and not the people who go in to gamble.
Most casino games involve betting wherein the gamblers are always at a disadvantage and have no real way of gaining an advantage over the casino. Examples of such games are roulette and slots. Despite what bogus betting systems might claim there are no real betting systems that will work to give you an advantage and help you win in such games.
Blackjack is, however, different. It is one of the few games where skill does matter and where using techniques like card counting really does help a good player win. Luck of course always has a say but in the long run advantage players in blackjack really are able to make a profit. This fact of course makes casinos go crazy so that they have studied ways on how to cut down card counters.
According to Wikipedia here’s several of the usual countermeasures employed by casinos everywhere to make sure that even a card counter won’t win. As a card counter it is important to know these countermeasures so that you can address those that are addressable.
Harassment of suspected card counters by casino staff. This may be as simple as engaging a suspected card counter in a conversation to break their concentration.
Card counter identification using books of photos and new facial recognition technologies.
Computerized scanners in blackjack tables which can identify counting systems when in use.
Shuffling more often or shuffling when a player increases his wager size.
Changing rules for splitting, doubling down, or playing multiple hands. This also includes changing a table’s stakes.
As you see the countermeasures they employ range from the crude to hi-tech. So appear to be OK while others seem to be a bit illegal depending on just how far they take it. If you want to make sure that you don’t get harassed by casino personnel when you’re found p\out as a card counter is by playing in New Jersey where they have laws about such things. Avoid casinos that are known for harassment (check out the news there’s plenty you can find). And remember if you have been “caught” in one casino you should be aware that they most probably shared information about you with other casinos. So if you find yourself not being admitted to a casino you haven’t even previously played in you can be sure that your picture is in circulation. You can try disguise but then they might still be able to identify you with the new facial recognition technologies they use.
Technorati Tags: Casino, Blackjack Tips, Blackjack Advice, Casino Countermeasures, Countermeasures, Card Counter
Written by The Blackjack Advisor on November 29th, 2006 with
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