Quote Originally Posted by JBourne View Post
It's a patent describing the novel functions of an ASM. In particular, it describes the ability to effectively randomize a deck, and the ability to return the deck to sorted "factory" order. To accomplish this, the device is able to optically detect the rank and suit of every card, the software is able to sequence the cards according to an algorithm, and the mechanism is able to quickly reorder the cards.

This is the seed of an active conspiracy theory that this functionality is being used to cheat players by creating a non-randomized shoe, one that has been stacked to disadvantage the player more than a randomized shoe. I won't go into the details, but I do have a few opinions:
1) This would be casino cheating. Any casino doing this would be risking their gaming license and exposing themselves to litigation.
2) The manufacturer could not create or promote any software mode (public or hidden) to perform this function without exposing themselves to litigation due to "strict liability".
3) The manufacturer of the ASM already has dominant market share and a very clear value proposition to the casino. This function would have no value to them if they could not promote it for the purpose of increasing revenue.
4) Is it possible that bad actors could hack an ASM to implement their own software? If so, this would be a limited criminal enterprise with very clear risks to any casinos or individuals who would be caught. The more broadly this would be implemented, the more likely it someone would be exposed.
5) Blackjack and card counting results in lots of variance. Cards can come out in crazy sequences more often than "probability" might seem to imply. Losing can be hard to deal with. I'm sure it is tempting to blame variance on something more insidious, particularly while losing.
6) Blackjack card counting that is less than perfect results in greater variance and worst results over time. Accepting your own role in the results can be hard for some people.


I'm assuming that Zee was trying to bait a conversation about this theory once again to explain his recent bad results as a local casino who appears to now being giving him a free shot, after previously heating him up, yet is now laughing at him while he loses. I'm also assuming he thinks that bringing this up over and over again will somehow lead to one of us suddenly revealing the truth and validate his worst fears. But he probably doesn't want to be heckled again, so he just teases the topic in order to foment the conversation.
I agree with everything you have written. The ability to sequence the cards to an algorithm does exist. Whether .00001% of casinos do it is irrelevant. It’s probably true that in 99.999% of Ed , it’s just variance. Pit guys, dealers would not need to be in on it IF a casino is doing it. Casinos and regulatory bodies are many and one or more may be convinced that as long as odds against ploppy or casinos are not altered, such an algorithm is permissible.

Based upon my records, over a year plus, the least success I have is with the deepest penetration deck games, plus pit attitude changes, I have concluded one is doing something.

My only reason for posting it is to show that it can be done.