Shift change opportunities

#1
From my knowledge most casinos are using re using 3 shifts a day.( at least for the dealers and the pit boss, I don't know about the eye in the sky )
4am - 12 pm
12 pm - 8 pm
8 pm - 4 am

Referring to the heat aspect, Can I exploit it by playing short session (45 min) at the end of the first shift and then after a short break come back and play at the beginning of the 2nd shift.

EX: play from 7pm - 7:45
7:45 -8:15 break
8:15 play again.

The short session are very important to me because I only play Double Deck @ Vegas. ( I know that I can always move to another casino in Vegas but sometimes I prefer to hit just 1-2 casino in one day at Vegas )

I am just sharing an idea, I have never tried it, my main worry is the eye in the sky.

Any advise or comment will be greatly appreciated.
 

Sonny

Well-Known Member
#2
guy9bundes said:
Referring to the heat aspect, Can I exploit it by playing short session (45 min) at the end of the first shift and then after a short break come back and play at the beginning of the 2nd shift.
Yes, that can be a very strong technique to use. The pit bosses usually change about an hour after the dealers but it can vary. You’ll have to observe the pit crew at each casino and time your return based on their schedule. The surveillance crew follows a different schedule but if you can catch them at the right time they will never notice you. Usually they only respond to calls from the pit so you should be fine anyway.

-Sonny-
 

EasyRhino

Well-Known Member
#3
Yeah, it general, it sounds like a good idea.

Course, for the casinos that do "chaos scheduling" where employees dribble in every hour, this wouldn't work too well (probably not an isse in Vegas).

If you did want to maximize your odds of dodging surveillance (say, you're betting at a very large level), and you could find out the surveillance schedule, you might play it hyper conservative and just wait 8-9 hours in between sessions.

Note that for comp-hustling purposes, I think Max Rubin wrote something about playing right before a shift change, and somehow tricking in the new floorman into thinking you were playing longer. I'm iffy on the details.
 

Cardcounter

Well-Known Member
#4
Shift time correction

The shifts where I work are different here is the breakdown for the most part are this is the dealers schedule.
Day shift 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Swing shift 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Graveyard 2:00 a.m.-10 a.m.

all though there are few exceptions of dealers that come in a little later or a little earlier.

The pit usually comes in an hour before the dealers.

I think that these times are closer to most casinos schedules give or take an hour.

I think that if you are going to do that about a 3 hour break an hour before shift time would be sufficient to see new faces behind the tables!

Like play the day shift for awhile go see a movie than come back on swing shift to play!
 
#5
Cardcounter,

Do you have information on the eye in the sky shift schedule? Do they have similar shifts as the dealers? the pit boss?

The eye in the sky is my main worry.

Thanks
 

shadroch

Well-Known Member
#6
The problem with that is that the pit staggers its changes.I'm on good speaking terms at the hotel/casino I frequently play in downtown Vegas.Lets say the dealers work 8-4. some of the pitbosses will work 6-2 and others work 730-330 and yet others work 9-5. The pit doesn't work the same hours as the dealers,and since they are staggered,its difficult to do as you are trying.Its never two PBs being replaced by two fresh ones.
However,with each dealer shift change,there usually is a break while chip are replenished and such.There is a few minutes of down time which most casinos credit the players at the table with.If you can catch these on a regular basis,it can add up.But if you are a serious card counter,you shouldn't be mixing in comp counting. I'm the opposite. I'm a comp counter that mixes in some card couning.
 

Cardcounter

Well-Known Member
#7
Sorry

I don't know what the person looking at the eye in the sky schedule is. But the eye in the sky is always on! People that are high up in the casino can look at survalinace footage by logging on to the internet and going to a secure website and having a password.
 

Paradox

Well-Known Member
#8
Agree with shadrock

shadroch said:
The problem with that is that the pit staggers its changes.I'm on good speaking terms at the hotel/casino I frequently play in downtown Vegas.Lets say the dealers work 8-4. some of the pitbosses will work 6-2 and others work 730-330 and yet others work 9-5. The pit doesn't work the same hours as the dealers,and since they are staggered,its difficult to do as you are trying.Its never two PBs being replaced by two fresh ones.
However,with each dealer shift change,there usually is a break while chip are replenished and such.There is a few minutes of down time which most casinos credit the players at the table with.If you can catch these on a regular basis,it can add up.But if you are a serious card counter,you shouldn't be mixing in comp counting. I'm the opposite. I'm a comp counter that mixes in some card couning.
Large casinos like The MGM Grand also do this. Their PCs overlap by hours. The "eye" also has a very different schedule. They are always manned.
 

Dopple

Well-Known Member
#9
Who make the final call on a back off though. It is not the eye alone is it? Dont they have to go through some higher authority.

Maybe they put you on a watch list and if you win too much then they pull the plug on you.
 

EasyRhino

Well-Known Member
#10
I understand the typical progression would be:

Floorman gets suspicious, runs to up to surveillance, who tags you as a counter, presents evidence to the management chain, and the shift manager or similar actually makes the call on the backoff. Call is relayed back down to floor or pit manager, who then gives you the tap on the shoulder.

If the bet is large enough, surveillance might get into the picture without a floorman even making an initial call.

If you're an established whale at the casino, the casino manager might actually have to make the call to back you off.

... if anyone has any actual facts with which to reinforce or correct this, I'd appreciate it. I only see the tail end of backoffs. :)
 
#11
If the pit is quiet, the eye in the sky is busy.

Play when you want, but I'd move my action around town a bit rather than staying in one casino all afternoon (where that opportunity exists).

Less chance of detection, being asked to back off, or general heat.
 
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