Can Casinos Cheat?

[DonR]

Going through messages here, I ran into a few where people are mentioning the possibility of some kind of a foul play, by the casino. Sometimes, as all of you know, nothing works. No matter how good your play is, you are still going down. Even though this is still a part of the overall odds, which favor the house, under most circumstances, I had to ask myself a few times in the past, if there is something else going on.

For example, taking a few big cards out from the decks would definitely increase house's edge, but is it really something that a casino would do (especially bigger houses). Are there any other known tricks, that we should be aware of? I am not talking about little things, like frequent shuffling, or changing the penetration, but rather about some really dirty stuff. Is it possible?

[callipygian]

Originally Posted by DonR

is it really something that a casino would do (especially bigger houses)

Well, you've latched onto an important point here - the casino's incentive to cheat decreases with the amount of money they stand to make by not cheating. This generally means that big casinos have less incentive than small casinos, but also that big gambling meccas like Nevada and Atlantic City have less incentive than more diffuse locales. The stronger the regulations and oversight agencies (Nevada and New Jersey are strong and Indian gaming is weak), the less incentive people have to cheat as well.

As for whether cheating actually happens, I'll leave it up to other people to answer that question.

[takinfromindians97]

A few times i have thought i was being cheated at indian casinos, and on one occasion in Atlantic City. In Atlantic City they brought in a cheating dealer when i was killing them i was emptying there tray of greens.I was giveing them to my girlfriend stateing she was using them for roulette. The pit started to get very upset that i was winning, then in comes this incredibly fast dealer, i couldnt prove it but you could just tell something was going on. The pit sees me start to lose and are all smiles now.I quickly got up and left with my stack meeting my girlfriend with her pocket book brimming with green chips haha. Whos smilling now Mr. pit boss with the slicked back hair and cheap sports jacket.

[standard toaster]

can casinos cheat? yes.
do most? no.

should you worry about it? i dont think so if your at a reputable place i do not thin you need to be looking for it

but if you feel you really are being cheateddo what the guy above me said and just walk out of there

[EasyRhino]

The house doesn't really need to cheat, since they are the house, and have the advantage anyway.

[SD Padres]

I ran into a dealer in Hawthorne, NV that I believed was dealing seconds but I really couldn't prove it. That was in 1986 and single deck was the prominent game. I don't think casinos need/want to take that chance anymore.

Why take the risk? They already have a large edge and there's really no sense in losing their licence to cheat players.

I think it used to happen more frequently 20-30 years ago but I highly doubt it ever happens today...at least in the U.S.

The ones that are cheating us are the politicians but that's another forum!

[Sonny]

The casinos definitely don't want to be caught cheating, that's for sure. It would never be in their best interest to use a cheating dealer. Whether or not a dealer decides to cheat is an entirely different matter.

-Sonny-

[blackchipjim]

I wouldn't confuse the speed demon dealers for cheats. The pit uses the fastest dealer to thwart counters. I have been subject to speed demons when I play heads up in order to see if it bothers or changes my play. It doesn't bother my play only helps it as it increases the hands dealt per hour. That is the first sign I look for that they suspect you are counting. I had to laugh awhile back when a dealer started to argue with the relief dealer that it wasn't his turn for break yet and then realized the jig was up. blackchipjim

[callipygian]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Whether or not a dealer decides to cheat is an entirely different matter.

This is a good point. If a dealer is cheating with one player, he will need to cheat against other players or his table will have suspiciously low holds.

I just stay away from any dealer who appears to be influence-able. If they're willing to deal you seconds for a few bucks, they're more than willing to deal seconds against you for a few more bucks.

[N&B]

I have not played pitch games in quite a while since the locals here prefer a shoe. Never encountered cheating as far as i can remember in DD games.

Of course that was downtown and strip.

Here in CT, I'm sure i had a candidate in '95. Saw a card 'fall out' a few times in an hour... this at a $10 game w/4 others. I never did see that dealer again since.