Dealer Controlling the Shuffle
- Thread starter BOND
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Riffle masters
The preferential shuffle of cards is an art whereon I think it would be difficult to do with just aces. I do some subtle observations on certain dealers that I run into every once in a great while.
The dealer has to pique my interest and have certain qualities to arouse such interest for me to observe his or her dealings. I have only had one woman dealer that has achieved this status.
Without getting into too much of a discussion of the dealer techniques it is possible to keep slugs of cards unaffected by shuffles. Your power of observation in such situations can be invaluable. blackchipjim
The preferential shuffle of cards is an art whereon I think it would be difficult to do with just aces. I do some subtle observations on certain dealers that I run into every once in a great while.
The dealer has to pique my interest and have certain qualities to arouse such interest for me to observe his or her dealings. I have only had one woman dealer that has achieved this status.
Without getting into too much of a discussion of the dealer techniques it is possible to keep slugs of cards unaffected by shuffles. Your power of observation in such situations can be invaluable. blackchipjim
The way a dealer could control the shuffle is picking when to shuffle. This can be done on 1 and 2 deck games when the dealer doesn't have a predetermined shuffle spot. If the dealer is picking when to shuffle is he shuffling in your favor or against you? Tables with 1 or 2 spots have more discreation in when to shuffle as full tables with 6 spots being played.
Of Course, they Can!
Most usually, spent cards are preferentially picked up, in a not-obvious way, of course, and re-inserted into the used stack of cards in the order they were removed from the tabletop.
Then, mechanic's shuffle can generally preserve the "order", to a fair extent, of those cards thusly "stacked". Few run-of-the-mill dealers are able to do this effectively; however, distorting the random order of re-use of the cards can, and does, benefit the House.
Separation of aces & tens is a new one on me. The most common "stacking" routine I watch for is placing 6s, 7s, and 8s together in succession, which throws advantage to the dealer. Watching carefully in order to detect other manipulative techniques destroys the fun inherent in the game, for me, anyway. imp
Most usually, spent cards are preferentially picked up, in a not-obvious way, of course, and re-inserted into the used stack of cards in the order they were removed from the tabletop.
Then, mechanic's shuffle can generally preserve the "order", to a fair extent, of those cards thusly "stacked". Few run-of-the-mill dealers are able to do this effectively; however, distorting the random order of re-use of the cards can, and does, benefit the House.
Separation of aces & tens is a new one on me. The most common "stacking" routine I watch for is placing 6s, 7s, and 8s together in succession, which throws advantage to the dealer. Watching carefully in order to detect other manipulative techniques destroys the fun inherent in the game, for me, anyway. imp
Theorem - If a casino shuffles the cards in a non-random manner, and the player knows in what manner they are shuffled, it is an advantage for the player.
http://www.blackjackforumonline.com/content/Stickin it to safari club.htm
http://www.blackjackforumonline.com/content/Stickin it to safari club.htm
Dealer Manipulation of the Shuffle
The reason I ask the question about dealer manipulation of the shuffle is because it is very expensive for the AP. I have encountered two cases of dealer manipulation of the shuffle outside the USA. Both are 6d games.
1) The first case is more obvious. The dealor used a false shuffle and basically controlled the shoe by changing how different segments are combined after each shoe. He did not use the same shuffle procedure after each shoe. He also selectively inserted some cards at the bottom of the discards and others at the top of the discards.
2) The second case is less obvious with the dealor carefully watching how the cards are mixed during the shuffle. He uses a same shuffle procedure after each shoe but is careful how each half deck is shuffled together.
The reason I ask the question about dealer manipulation of the shuffle is because it is very expensive for the AP. I have encountered two cases of dealer manipulation of the shuffle outside the USA. Both are 6d games.
1) The first case is more obvious. The dealor used a false shuffle and basically controlled the shoe by changing how different segments are combined after each shoe. He did not use the same shuffle procedure after each shoe. He also selectively inserted some cards at the bottom of the discards and others at the top of the discards.
2) The second case is less obvious with the dealor carefully watching how the cards are mixed during the shuffle. He uses a same shuffle procedure after each shoe but is careful how each half deck is shuffled together.
In the general scheme of play, I believe the tens are far more important than the aces, despite aces double value, since there are 4 times as many tens per deck as there are aces.
Overall, a higher-than-normal percentage of tens contained in the deck favors the player, while the opposite is true for low-valued cards, IF the play proceeds by usual casino rules.
In the "back-alley" game wherein the dealer may quit at anytime he chooses, the "counting rules" go all to hell......... imp
Overall, a higher-than-normal percentage of tens contained in the deck favors the player, while the opposite is true for low-valued cards, IF the play proceeds by usual casino rules.
In the "back-alley" game wherein the dealer may quit at anytime he chooses, the "counting rules" go all to hell......... imp