order of cards

[Sage]

In a recent round the dealer turned over her first card when she dealt it to herself. Then a few rounds later she did the same thing. No one at the table caught it and I decided it didn't make any difference, so I did not say anything. I did not see her do it again the whole session.
Is there any reason why the dealer deals the first card to herself face down and then turns it over as the last card at the table?

 

[Mladonna]

maybe it was just distraction ? or maybe the dealer was counting and did it on purpose ?

 

[tthree]

Chance for a free shot

If you had pointed the error out to the PB you would have probably had what is called a free shot. You would have been able to play your hand and be payed for a win but a lose would not result in your wager being lost. It would be a push. It is the PB's call but I bet that would be the case.

 

[Gamblor]

Not sure why a dealer would do this randomly, but know of at least one casino where its their policy. Always questioned what they are trying to thwart.

 

[David Spence]

If the dealer is selectively turning over the higher of her two cards, it will put you at a great disadvantage, even if you know this is what she is doing. From what you've said, it sounds more likely that it's a random departure from procedure. However, you may want to see whether there is a method to her messiness.

A few years ago, I suspected a dealer of doing this (I virtually never think a casino is cheating), and, lo and behold, she turned over the higher of her two cards far more often than not, so I left. In hindsight, I still think it's less than 50/50 that she was cheating (I'm an incurable Bayesian), but better safe than sorry.

 

[Gamblor]

If the dealer is selectively turning over the higher of her two cards, it will put you at a great disadvantage, even if you know this is what she is doing. From what you've said, it sounds more likely that it's a random departure from procedure. However, you may want to see whether there is a method to her messiness.

A few years ago, I suspected a dealer of doing this (I virtually never think a casino is cheating), and, low and behold, she turned over the higher of her two cards far more often than not, so I left. In hindsight, I still think it's less than 50/50 that she was cheating (I'm an incurable Bayesian), but better safe than sorry.

Or what about a dealer that shows you a 6 instead of the A, or 2 instead of 9 :grin:

 

[p8ntballsk8r]

could just be a mistake. sloppy or new dealers who are trying to deal too fast do this on occasion

 

[blackchipjim]

Baiting

I think it was trap or bait so to speak to see the response from a suspected ap. Someone else may have been watching your reaction to the snafu to see if they can flush you out. I never over react to anything that occurs at the tables because I'm not too bright you see.

 

[MangoJ]

If they switch by accident, this is not a problem. If they choose their upcard, they are playing with a high house edge.

I think I calculated a dealer choosing upcard strategy guide based on both dealer cards some time ago (can't find it though). When optimized against an innocent player (using basic strategy), the house edge is 10% (from memory). Against a switching-aware player (the player strategy would change considerably) the house edge is still around 3%.

 

[Solo player]

If they switch by accident, this is not a problem. If they choose their upcard, they are playing with a high house edge.

I think I calculated a dealer choosing upcard strategy guide based on both dealer cards some time ago (can't find it though). When optimized against an innocent player (using basic strategy), the house edge is 10% (from memory). Against a switching-aware player (the player strategy would change considerably) the house edge is still around 3%.

If the dealer is choosing the up card how would they know which card to flip over? Cheating? If there is no cheating I don't understand why the house edge would be 10%

 

[Sucker]

In a recent round the dealer turned over her first card when she dealt it to herself. Then a few rounds later she did the same thing. No one at the table caught it and I decided it didn't make any difference, so I did not say anything. I did not see her do it again the whole session.

The house procedure in some places is to turn the first card up; in others it gets turned down. Some places require the dealer to do it face up on SD and DD games but face down on shoes; in some places it's vice-versa. You probably had a dealer who at a previous table (or at a previous job) did it the other way & she just forgot, out of habit. No big deal.

Is there any reason why the dealer deals the first card to herself face down and then turns it over as the last card at the table?

This is nothing more than a personal preference of the casino manager. You're right - it doesn't make a difference. But if you were to find a dealer who accidentally turned his HOLE card up....... :grin:

 

[MangoJ]

If the dealer is choosing the up card how would they know which card to flip over? Cheating? If there is no cheating I don't understand why the house edge would be 10%

Yes, if the dealer would first see both cards, and then decides which one to flip over, this would be cheating (giving the high house edge)
If the dealer flips a random card without looking, there is no gain (or loss), and nothing to worry about.

I think the upcard is usually fixed within dealing procedures, to minimize risk of exposing the hole card. And that would depend on a pitch or shoe game and manager training (as Sucker stated)

 

[blackriver]

if we believe the claim that playing naturally oreders the cards in a way that favors the layer if they are not shuffled, then i suspect playing should order the cards so that the house would have a higher edge turning over either the first or the second always, i cant imagine which and the the effect is probably minimal, but i bet it exists