is counting legal in Canada ?

[golfnut101]

A guy sitting beside me said quite matter of factly that it is legal to count in Canada. The dealer did not even flinch. Their was zero attention paid by pit, even thought it was a nickel table. Anyone know factually the truth ?

[Cardcounter]

When you are card counting you are just using your brain to make decisions based on the mathimatics of the game. You are not using any devices to keep the count other than your head. Card counting is perfectly legal no matter where you are in the world. However, the casino does have the right to bar you from playing evening if you are doing nothing illegal, if they feel you have an advantage over them. It is illegal to play blackjack at a particular casino if you have been barred from that casino and they won't let you play there any more.

[shadroch]

I believe counting is illegal in a few places overseas,but am not certain.

[ScottH]

Originally Posted by Cardcounter

Card counting is perfectly legal no matter where you are in the world.

I think that is inaccurate information. Cardcounting can get you into some deep trouble in some parts of the world.

[bj bob]

Originally Posted by golfnut101

A guy sitting beside me said quite matter of factly that it is legal to count in Canada. The dealer did not even flinch. Their was zero attention paid by pit, even thought it was a nickel table. Anyone know factually the truth ?

I think I remember some of Hylan's team got caught up there and he had to go bail them out. Seems to me that he won the case and it was determined to be legal. Don't know if things have changed since.
BTW, I wouldn't count in Canada anyway...too hard..Have to convert the RC to TC and then into Canadian values.

[techster]

It seems to me in most, if not all, non-third-world countries, for something to be illegal there must be a burden of proof. Since card counting is just THINKING, how could anyone possible be found guilty?

[halcyon1234]

Originally Posted by bj bob

I think I remember some of Hylan's team got caught up there and he had to go bail them out. Seems to me that he won the case and it was determined to be legal. Don't know if things have changed since.
BTW, I wouldn't count in Canada anyway...too hard..Have to convert the RC to TC and then into Canadian values.

Yeah, but Canadian TC are almost on part with American TC these days, so it isn't as hard as you think.

God help you if you go play in a Mexican casino, though! (What's 5 / 0.003275 again?)

[halcyon1234]

Originally Posted by techster

It seems to me in most, if not all, non-third-world countries, for something to be illegal there must be a burden of proof. Since card counting is just THINKING, how could anyone possible be found guilty?

It always comes down to this:

1) The casinos run the show, so they can boot you for anything they want to, proof or no proof.
2) The casinos are massive, big, huge, powerful fiends. If the law is buyable, they've bought it. If it isn't, they know how to manipulate it. If they're damned determined to charge you with something, they'll do it, and try to strong arm you into a settlement.
3) If they just want to sue you with a civil suit, burden of proof isn't needed. Just some sorta evidence to kinda sorta show-- y'know-- stuff. And see the strong-arm thing from #2.
4) Don't go into a third-world casino, since they'll often replace "lawsuit" with "five guys named Thumper and applied physics". =)

[SystemsTrader]

Ok, while the casinos may not be allowed to throw you out for counting directly, they can and will use counter measures. In my travels through Canadian casinos I have seen a couple of counters have the shoe cut off at 50%. I also know of a counter being asked to leave the casino for "disturbing other players" when he was wonging in and out of tables. That's the excuse they will use and how are you going to fight that. So don't get cockey in those casinos. I've also noticed a lot of posts lately with guys claiming there is no heat what so ever in Can. casinos but looking closer at their posts you realize they are red chip wongers. I mean its simple common sense, if the casinos allowed counters and took no measures against it the spots would be filled with counters 24/7. For those who have played in Canadian casinos you may have noticed the lousy conditions to begin with. Mostly 8 deck with poor pen or lots of CSM's and low table maximums.

[Dyepaintball12]

So, in Canada they cannot kick you out for counting? Just use measures to insure you can't win by counting?

Am I reading that correctly?