Sucker said:
I suppose this would work on a busy weekend when all of the casinos' ASMs are in use. But usually when something goes wrong with an ASM, they just bring another one over & plug it in. (With new cards of course; if they ALSO get ruined)
The ASM still worked, they just needed to get new cards. They didn't end up replacing the cards so it became a hand shuffled game with just one set of cards. I am guessing they didn't want to stop the game to fan new cards.
It wouldn't be the first time something like this has been done, but if you're going to take out an ASM you'd better have a damned good reason.
ASM's make money for counters just by giving you more hands per hour. I'm not familiar with any ASM-dealt SP21 game where you can get more advantage from tracking the house shuffle than from the added speed of the ASM.
I agree, but for fun here are a series of unlikly events that could happen together to make the "spilled drink play" very worthwhile:
1. You are an experienced ace tracker
2. You are playing heads up with the dealer
3. You notice 3 aces in a row and note the key card
4. You know the house shuffle is weak
5. You know the dealer performs the shuffle in a way that is good for you
6. You are willing to spread 7 max bet hands should all this come together and the key card comes at the right time
7. You are ok with leaving the casino and not coming back for a long time
