Dealer signals and signs

[Midnight]

I had an interesting experience playing recently and wanted to know if it is something that has been researched before. I was playing a 6D, 3:2, 5.5/6, DAS, LS game which already are extremely good conditions. But something happened that I didn't expect that made it even better. The dealer was a younger guy and I noticed that any time he checked his hole card he would place his cards slightly more to the left if he had a stiff hand. After a couple of shoes I was able to predict about 90% of the time whether he had a good hand or not (i.e. 17 or higher). What I want to know is has this ever been studied before (i.e. dealer behavior and any effects it may have on advantage). I checked my reference books (BJA3 and MB) and was not able to find any material on this subject. A google search also didn't turn up anything meaningful. The most I can find is Poker books on the subject but wanted to know has anybody in the Blackjack community ever addressed (or written books ) about this before or is it not reliable enough to be exploited. Also for the experts would exploiting this information be considered "cheating". Thanks.

[Freightman]

Not legal advice - simply my opinion. What you’re describing is specific to a single individual. Exploit him to your hearts content. I fail to see how great observation skills, without mechanical or electronic manipulation of any kind can be construed as cheating.

The failure here is poor training. You’re not responsible. Friendly word of advice - Don’t make it obvious.

[21forme]

Does the dealer use a peeker dvice (mirror device that the corner of the card fits into) or is he actually looking at his hole card?

If a peeker device, the dealer doesn't know his hole card's value. He only knows ace vs non-ace with a T up, or ten vs non-ten with an A up.

[aceside]

I think 21forme is correct. If the dealer does this job correctly, she will not have any information about the value of her hole card.

[Archvaldor]

The most I can find is Poker books on the subject but wanted to know has anybody in the Blackjack community ever addressed (or written books ) about this before or is it not reliable enough to be exploited. Also for the experts would exploiting this information be considered "cheating". Thanks.

There's a book called "Read The Dealer" by Steve Forte which covers this. But as others have pointed out procedural changes mean that mostly nowadays the dealer has little or no information to leak. Forte's book is quite old now.

[Sidecount]

The little card-reader things don't show you the value of the card. The dealer has no idea. If that's what he is using then this trend and success rate is in your head and is a combination of coincidence and self-confirmation bias.

However, if he really is physically peaking at the card, which is pretty unusual these days, then this is a great opportunity for you that should be used somewhat judiciously. If the casino sees you playing with the same dealer for 30 hours per week and winning tons they are going to figure out that something is wrong. They might even think the dealer is intentionally signaling you somehow. Don't kill the Golden Goose and don't get greedy. Enjoy the profits for what they are and then bounce around to various other tables as well to not arouse as much suspicion.

But that's assuming this Tell that you saw is a real tell. If he has a normal mirror-peak device that I think 98% of casinos and tables use these days then you didn't actually identify anything.

[Midnight]

Okay, you guys a probably right. Might be my own biases thinking that I had something with this dealer. Thanks for all the advice.