Checks Play, calling it in

[counter19]

Along these same lines, sometimes useful information can be gleaned by asking the dealers about their procedures. For example, I play at a casino that uses ASMs for the pitch games. Just before the dealer switches the decks, she always breaks the "used" shoe in half and rotates one of the halves 180 degrees clockwise, then restacks the shoe and loads it into the machine. I have asked a dozen dealers at this casino WHY they rotate half the deck, but I have not gotten anything more coherent than, "That's what they tell me to do." What I gathered from this exercise is that the dealers don't know why they're supposed to do this, which greatly increases the likelihood that they will fail to do it (or do it properly), which leads to potential vulnerabilities, ...

Dog Hand

Not surprising. As an administrator, it is probably better to keep your staff ignorant to further protect the game. They only need to know what to do, it's not beneficial for them to know why.

[counter19]

Try betting $20 off the top and give the illusion of a 1-5 spread. You can always go back to $10.

Not a bad idea!

However, do you mean going back to $10 if I later decide that this strategy is not for me or do you mean going back to $10 in the same session? If you go back to $10 in the same session, your spread has just gone back to 1-10, has it not? It would seem that at least the majority of your bets would need to be $20 with only the occasional $10 to maintain the illusion of this spread.

[hitthat16]

I do however happen to know that if you ask them why they call when someone bets $100, they will tell you that they are not allowed to say.

That means it triggers a skills check. They want to know if they should back that person off, or give them anything they want.

[counter19]

A couple stores I play call out "green plays!" So annoying.

Oh good Lord!!

[counter19]

That means it triggers a skills check. They want to know if they should back that person off, or give them anything they want.

Well, I know that. I just mean that they don't know, which is why it is hard to fish any information out of anybody.

[Three]

Well, I know that. I just mean that they don't know, which is why it is hard to fish any information out of anybody.

They know.

[counter19]

They know.

The dealers? Hmmm…I'm a little skeptical. After playing there for so long, I would think that the dealers with an ounce of common sense would know why. Some dealers though are straight up air headed. I don't think they're all in the "know" and many are just robots doing a job with tasks of which they don't appear to understand.
But, I could be wrong. After all, my job is to give an act. They may be doing the same. It's safe to say that I should just assume that they all know and play with a healthy degree of caution. I'm not going back there for a while anyway.

[Three]

After your response I am pretty sure I didn't understand what you were thinking they knew. My answer was they know why the call is made. Around here most dealers know you are counting. Most don't care. If you are a pain in the arse they care but only about the pain part. They may help the casino take action on the counting part to deal wit the pain part.

[moo321]

Thanks moo. I honestly think I know everything that I could know at this particular moment. I even try to fish out information from dealers that I get along with really well. There is one in particular that doubles as a pit boss and dealer. I of course have to make sure to ask in such a way that they do not have suspicions as to why I am asking.
I often will ask them what the craziest thing is that they have ever seen at the blackjack table. They always love telling stories like this. When they finish the story, I often ask them how often people get kicked out and for what. I ask with a tone that I believe makes them think that I am just wanting a dose of sensationalism through gossip. Of course, what I really want to know is if anybody has ever been kicked out for counting. As of yet, nobody has ever told me anything about a counter and I just won't ask directly. They may not even know if somebody has or not because the powers that be may not want them to know.
I do however happen to know that if you ask them why they call when someone bets $100, they will tell you that they are not allowed to say.

1. It sounds like you're doing this the right way. But only ask as a last resort. Try to figure it out on your own by watching first.
2. Watch everything. And I mean everything. Dealing procedures. Card procedures. Procedures on carnie games. Dealer rotations. Which floor people are dual-rates (also dealers)?What is the hierarchy? What warrants a call to surveillance? Who writes comps? Which suits are paranoid? Which suits are sharp? Which suits are morons?
3. Read as much as possible about the environment. Understand how casinos operate. What makes them happy? What makes them scared?

[Marlene]

So do these joints that advertise $1 blackjack yell "Red Action!" when a five dollar chip hits the felt?

[paymypush]

Not a bad idea!

However, do you mean going back to $10 if I later decide that this strategy is not for me or do you mean going back to $10 in the same session? If you go back to $10 in the same session, your spread has just gone back to 1-10, has it not? It would seem that at least the majority of your bets would need to be $20 with only the occasional $10 to maintain the illusion of this spread.

It's not a sure thing but bet $20 when the floor is watching, especially when you buy in and hand him your card. He'll record your base bet as $20 and you can then drop down to $10. Many times he'll be too busy or just too lazy too change it. Put the $20 up when he checks the table. It doesn't have to be all the time. Put even more in the circle while the dealer is shuffling. Just don't forget to take it down like I have - unless you know a blackjack is coming.

[FalseCount]

Are we referring to a southern california game? Particularly, a shop that has incorrect info on CBJN?

[Aslan]

Are we referring to a southern california game? Particularly, a shop that has incorrect info on CBJN?

Iwas talking about B. What is incorrect about the info?