Parker: "CC Guide to Casino Surveillance" - book review

[Parker]

The Card Counter's Guide to Casino Surveillance
by D.V. Cellini

It has been many years since a book created a stir in the advantage player community comparable to that surrounding The Card Counter's Guide to Casino Surveillance, by D.V. Cellini. Written by a veteran surveillance agent, this book could have been titled, ?Everything a card counter ever wanted to know about casino surveillance, but was afraid to ask, and probably wouln't have gotten a straight answer anyway.?

The book is not physically impressive, expecially considering its $100 price tag (our online catalog has it on sale for $79.99). Printed on letter size (8.5 x 11 inch) paper, it weighs in at a mere 88 pages, and rather resembles something put together at the local Kinko's. I found this somewhat surprising, as the book is published by Anthony Curtis' Huntington Press. My hardbound copy of Ian Andersen's ?Burning the Tables in Las Vegas? (another HP title) is a top quality book.

However, we are paying for information, not mere paper and ink. The question is, does the book live up to the hype. For those ?cut to the chase? types, the answer is, ?Yes, indeed.? Others, read on.

The book consists of two parts. The first, entitled ?Inside Surveillance? is essentially a ?behind the curtain? look into the shadowy world of casino surveillance. We learn about the day-to-day routine of surveillance work, the equipment used, the records kept, and surveillance organizations and networks. We learn the jargon of surveillance ? terms such as ?Grill Shot? (a request for a facial shot of an advantage player), ?Headstone? (a player who stays at a blackjack table for an entire shift), and ?Buzzard? (a big player who circles the pit too much while waiting to be called into a game by spotters).

Much of this information has never before been made available outside the industry. To anyone who has ever spent much time in a casino, this is fascinating stuff.

The second section is even more intriguing. It seems that, at some point in his long and varied career, the author was a card counter himself, actually playing on a team, and section two is entitled, ?The Card Counters' Survival Guide.? It gets down to specifics as to what methods surveillance uses to detect card counters, and what an enterprising advantage player can do to thwart them. Player tracking software and Facial Recognition Software (FRS) are discussed.

For example, regarding player tracking software, Cellini writes: ?Here is an easy method for confusing all computer-tracking software programs. Simply make one really stupid play, such as standing on your first two-card total of anything less than 12 against any dealer's up card, or double down on a two-card total of 12 or more vs. ANY dealer up card, etc. Yes, you read it right. Just one truly knuckle-headed play can reduce Survey Voice's overall analysis of your playing skill level to ?moron.??

How to look, how to act, how to dress, how to play, what surveillance looks for and how to fool them ? it is all here, in great detail.

Regarding Internet websites, Cellini writes: ?The Internet is another major source of information for casino surveillance spies. If you're a frequent user of site like bj21.com, advantageplayer.com, or the Card Counters' Cafe, you've been had! These sites have more casino surveillance and floor people on them than there are feds monitoring the Web sites that sell plans for homemade explosives.?

Of course, anyone with half a brain should have already realized this, but we now have official confirmation.

Naturally, there is a problem with all this. I would bet my entire bankroll that copies of this book are popping up in casino surveillance breakrooms all over the country even as I write this. In a few months, they will all know what we know about them, making the information of much less use. There will be software patches and updates going out, indeed, it may have already happened.

Nonetheless, knowledge is always preferable to ignorance. I have already made several changes both in the way I play and the way I act when inside a casino, as will anyone reading this.

Anyone playing at green chip levels or above, or anyone who aspires to ever play at those levels, simply cannot afford to NOT have this book.

[Wildcard]

I would think that at more than a dollar a page, this document approaches "rip-off" status. The quality of the paper and the manner in which the material is presented says a lot about the author and publisher. Sounds more like a pamphlet. Was there a Foreward or Preface of any value?

What are the facts?

We already know surveillance exists, and in a very technical way. The sharing of knowledge about what terminology used is meaningless. We used to have certain phrases in Air Traffic Control, that would have no value to the flying public. Terms like "bingo fuel", "popeye", "noon balloon", and "bogey" tell the acutal pilots zip. Some terms I admit apply to certain branches of the service, but not the general aviation flying public. Thus, being a "Buzzard" has no value to me. One should not be so obvious as to draw attention while Wonging.

That there are casino spies amongst us is a given. Nothing new here.

Making a dumb play wouldn't have been too hard to figure out, considering someone is entering your play into a computer for evaluation. It's the old GIGO theory.

I do agree that many, if not all employed in casino surveillance now have their own copy of this document.

I suspect casinos will continue to formulate procedures to contain counters. There already exists a host of hurdles we have to cross to ply our skills. CSMs, no mid-shoe entry, poor penetration, etc, etc. The game will slowly but surely dry up as more and more measures are taken to reduce the advantaged player's skills.

One need only look at the massive influx of visitors and permanent residents of LV to see where all this is going! Why tolerate a smart player when they've got all those lemmings to feed on!

I recall not long ago, Delta had 4 flights a day to LV from Atlanta, now there are 7, 5 are B-767s, 2 are B-757s. They fill them all the time. There are even 7 flights from Salt Lake to LV! Can't all be advantage players in those seats!

I don't need to spend $100, or $79.99 for a document that will provide me with very little bang for my buck. Shorter visits, lower spreads and discipline should be the hallmark of any advantage player's approach to the game.

Wildcard

[tulsa]

So how do I "get had" by being a frequent visitor to this website?

[Parker]

> I don't need to spend $100, or $79.99 for a
> document that will provide me with very
> little bang for my buck. Shorter visits,
> lower spreads and discipline should be the
> hallmark of any advantage player's approach
> to the game.

The price is indeed high, bordering on outrageous. However, I have apparently failed in my review to convey that there is indeed quite a bit of "bang for the buck" even though the bucks involved are considerable.

The items I mentioned in the review were just a small random sampling. There is much, much more. There are only 88 pages, but Cellini does not mince words.

I have been hanging out in casinos for nearly 30 years. The book confirmed many things that I had previously only suspected, debunked many other ideas that I had, and taught me many new things.

Little things - the way you handle the chips when making your bet can have a major impact on how surveillance rates your play.

No matter how good your game is, it is useless if they will not let you play. I estimate that this book will extend my longevity at casinos that I am presently welcome at by many months, perhaps even years. Looking at it from that perspective, it is very easily worth a single black chip.

I consider it money well spent. (Yes, I paid for it - I ordered a copy before I found out that we were going to carry it. :-))

[Red Baron]

There is already much informtion about surveillance that can be found on the internet and free of cost. Many of the tactics used in the book are no secrect to us card counters.

Any pro card counter knows that we should not treat and handle chips in a smooth calculating way.

$100 is a big chunk of cash for a book about surveillance and cover tactics that most of us are already familiar with.

My guess is this book is more valuable to newbies of both sides of the tables. I would rather invest my time and money on software and a steak.

[Parker]

> There is already much informtion about
> surveillance that can be found on the
> internet and free of cost. Many of the
> tactics used in the book are no secrect to
> us card counters.

True. But many of them are. In six months or a year, most of the information in the book will probably be available online - the book is certain to provoke a lot of discussion. It is not, however, available online (or anywhere else) at this time.

> Any pro card counter knows that we should
> not treat and handle chips in a smooth
> calculating way.

That is not at all what I am talking about. It has to do with surveillance camera angles.

> $100 is a big chunk of cash for a book about
> surveillance and cover tactics that most of
> us are already familiar with.

You are not already familiar with the material in this book. Trust me on this one.

> My guess is this book is more valuable to
> newbies of both sides of the tables. I would
> rather invest my time and money on software
> and a steak.

I'm not exactly a newbie. In addition, some friends of mine who are full time high stakes pros with many years of experience also found the book of great value. Of course, a single black chip hardly represents a significant investment to these guys.

I will agree that dealers and floor people will undoubtedly find the book as fascinating as I did.

At $100, the book is no bargain. However, you will learn things about casino surveillance that you did not previously know. That much I guarantee.

[Electric Kid]

selling at a deep discount with in 6 months. If enough people feel the price is outragous no one will buy it. It seems the market for a backjack book is around $20 to $25 dollars. Soon the information will be yetersday news and the price will have to come down. My wife just bought a calendar two weeks ago for $1. It had a list price of $15.95

[Parker]

> selling at a deep discount with in 6 months.
> If enough people feel the price is outragous
> no one will buy it. It seems the market for
> a backjack book is around $20 to $25
> dollars. Soon the information will be
> yetersday news and the price will have to
> come down. My wife just bought a calendar
> two weeks ago for $1. It had a list price of
> $15.95

We're already seeing some of that. As I mentioned in the review, we're currently selling it at a discount, and Curtis offers a substantial discount to LVA subscribers.

Still, there are exceptions. Beyond Counting, by James Grosjean, has been a steady seller despite it's $40 price tag.

Still, $100 retail is definitely raising the bar! Personally, I'd feel a lot better if it had at least been hardbound.

[suicyco maniac]

> We're already seeing some of that. As I
> mentioned in the review, we're currently
> selling it at a discount, and Curtis offers
> a substantial discount to LVA subscribers.

> Still, there are exceptions. Beyond
> Counting, by James Grosjean, had been a
> steady seller despite it's $40 price tag.

> Still, $100 retail is definitely raising the
> bar! Personally, I'd feel a lot better if it
> had at least been hardbound.

George C s books are not hardbound and neither are some other blackjack reports WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE IF THE INFO IS GOOD? (not that this book is worth 90 bucks I haven't read it and can not comment it might very well be worth more. A barring lasts a long time 100 bucks is insignifigant compared to that!)

[Norm Wattenberger]

> If enough people feel the price is outragous
> no one will buy it. It seems the market for
> a backjack book is around $20 to $25
> dollars. Soon the information will be
> yetersday news and the price will have to
> come down.

You may very well be able to buy it cheaper later - but then it will be of less value. Information is often valued by its timeliness. I've yet to read it, so my opinion is worthless. Just saying that if you are on the front lines, there is much value on receiving information first.

regards,
norm

[Parker]

> So how do I "get had" by being a
> frequent visitor to this website?

Hey, I just quoted it, I didn't write it.

Actually, he is referring to people who are indiscreet in what they post, not people who merely visit the site(s). I think.

It should be obvious to just about everyone by now that casino personnel read these pages, but some people still seem oblivious to the fact.

[pat]

> The price is indeed high, bordering on
> outrageous. However, I have apparently
> failed in my review to convey that there is
> indeed quite a bit of "bang for the
> buck" even though the bucks involved
> are considerable.

> The items I mentioned in the review were
> just a small random sampling. There is much,
> much more. There are only 88 pages, but
> Cellini does not mince words.

> I have been hanging out in casinos for
> nearly 30 years. The book confirmed many
> things that I had previously only suspected,
> debunked many other ideas that I had, and
> taught me many new things.

> Little things - the way you handle the chips
> when making your bet can have a major impact
> on how surveillance rates your play.

> No matter how good your game is, it is
> useless if they will not let you play. I
> estimate that this book will extend my
> longevity at casinos that I am presently
> welcome at by many months, perhaps even
> years. Looking at it from that perspective,
> it is very easily worth a single black chip.

> I consider it money well spent. (Yes, I paid
> for it - I ordered a copy before I found out
> that we were going to carry it. :-))
remember one thing.look who is publishing the book: anthony curtis.he will do anything for a buck.i dont have much respect for him.don's book is huge and has a wealth of info but only charges 20 bucks.charge 14.99 and let everyone enjoy it.im not spending 100 bucks.he is nuts.

[Don Schlesinger]

> remember one thing.look who is publishing
> the book: anthony curtis.he will do anything
> for a buck.i dont have much respect for
> him.don's book is huge and has a wealth of
> info but only charges 20 bucks.charge 14.99
> and let everyone enjoy it.im not spending
> 100 bucks.he is nuts.

At the risk of being accused of defending a good friend, I need to comment here.

When Stanford Wong first published "Blackjack in Asia," the price was $200. When Arnold Snyder first published "The BJ Formula," the price was $100. By the very nature of the material, the intent was not to be a best-seller, but to appeal to a very select, small circle of players. Thus, the hefty price tag. For those who truly find value in a particular work, the $100 is incidental.

Once the whole world has the book, as has been mentioned before, the value of its contents diminishes exponentially.

As for your comments about Anthony Curtis, I think they're unfair. He's a businessman, and a very good one at that. He makes an excellent living publishing and selling gaming information. That does NOT imply that he'd "do anything for a buck." FWIW, in my opinion, that simply isn't true.

Don