By Allan Pell.
Most casinos are very paranoid about card-counters. They know good counters can beat blackjack. They are on the alert for any indicators of card-counters. But that doesn’t imply you can’t simply get away with it, if you already know what you might be doing and if you already know what indicators to search for.
Don’t be anxious or intimidated by on line casino personnel — they gained’t damage you. They are actually intimidated by you. They concern having some huge cash taken on their shift. They concern being cheated by rip-off artists. This is an actual concern — there are crooks with numerous schemes and unlawful tips for eradicating the on line casino’s money. But keep in mind, card counting IS NOT dishonest and card counting IS NOT unlawful. It is merely a psychological technique of play. You ought to by no means really feel responsible about being counter. You aren’t “stealing”; you merely have a ability that may aid you make a bit of extra money than the following man. Which just isn’t a lot completely different from what the casinos are doing: utilizing each trick within the e book to take cash from the playing public. You ought to be happy with your ability, however at all times make sure to use it properly. The last item to do in a on line casino is to announce to the world that you’re a expert card counter.
Blackjack is the one sport that may price the casinos some huge cash, particularly if they’re hit by the groups. So they’re continuously on guard for counters (and actual cheats, for that matter). They imagine that they know how you can detect card counters, but when you already know what indicators they’re on the lookout for, you’ll be able to normally outsmart them.
Do not stroll right into a on line casino with an indication over you head blaring “Card Counter Here.” It sounds ridiculous, however some gamers are virtually doing simply that. Some individuals wish to play “know-it-all” and be the desk teacher. The casinos will use any and all proof they’ll choose up from you to find out whether or not or not they need your small business. They can scrutinize your method of dressing, physique language, eye motion, tone of voice, desk conduct, and naturally, your taking part in and betting.
“You can’t expect to keep coming
back to the same casino day
after day while taking their
money and be welcomed with
open arms.”
Different casinos have differing ranges of tolerance for counters. Some are extra paranoid than others. While one on line casino will play the sport with you, letting you win a bit, others imagine they have to present “Zero Tolerance” to all counters and can try to come back down arduous on you. In actuality, there are such a lot of counters on the market who don’t know what they’re doing (not taking part in blackjack fundamental technique, for instance) that the presence of a counter doesn’t essentially assure a giant winner. So some casinos are literally losing their money and time to eradicate unhealthy counters who have been going to lose cash anyway.
When a on line casino desires to point out you that you’re unwelcome, it has a number of strategies for making you uncomfortable. You need to keep away from what’s someday known as attracting “heat” or consideration to your self. Don’t fear about something severe occurring to you. The worst factor they’ll do is kick you out, although in some states they’ll kick you out completely. This is known as “barring” or “banning.” Atlantic City is one jurisdiction that doesn’t permit barring of gamers. That would possibly look like a bonus to counters, however the Atlantic City casinos counteract the truth that they have to deal to counters by providing much less favorable guidelines and circumstances. For that cause, most experts would quite threat being barred in locations like Nevada the place the principles are usually extra favorable.
Creating an Act or Legend
To conceal the actual fact that you’re a card counter, you have to fabricate an “act”. You should faux to be somebody apart from your self, somebody who has a superbly pure cause for being in a on line casino. You need to keep away from all of the telltale indicators of card counters, which we’ll cowl later.
Blend in. Be like everybody else who has come to the on line casino to have time. Do not do something to name consideration to your self. Most are vacationers on trip. Look like a vacationer. Tourists put on vacationer clothes — informal garments, T-shirts and caps with imprinted logos from different trip spots, Bermuda shorts and so forth. Even in case you really feel foolish carrying these items, you can be safer in case you mix in.
Have a cause for being on trip. You should be capable of discuss to individuals as in case you have been an actual vacationer, so you have to create an identification for your self that is kind of full, constant and plausible. This is all a part of the act.
Dream up an occupation for your self. Make positive it’s one which you already know sufficient about to debate moderately. Perhaps a job you held up to now or one {that a} shut buddy has. If somebody begins chatting with you, it is best to be capable of react naturally. They would possibly babble on about themselves for some time, however then say, “So where you from?” You have to come back proper again with one thing like, “Flint, Michigan. We run a plumbing supply company up there. Yeah, business has been pretty rough lately.” The extra boring your occupation sounds, the much less probably they may ask plenty of probing questions. As you develop into fluent in card counting and in placing on an act, you’ll really feel the intoxicating energy of being in management by having the ability to manipulate your environment to your profit.
Changing Your Act
You can’t anticipate to maintain coming again to the identical on line casino day after day whereas taking their cash and be welcomed with open arms. They will get smart to you ultimately. So your act must be continuously altering. You want a handful of personae that you just rotate. You additionally will need to transfer from on line casino to on line casino. Take a break after you pull in some respectable cash. Keep it recent.
Concealing Your Identity
If you’ve been taking part in for some time and also you’re successful, the home could give you their participant’s membership card. The benefit of a participant’s card, they’ll let you know, is that you would be able to get free drinks and meals by displaying it, primarily based on how a lot motion you set into play. The extra you play, the extra freebies they’ll offer you. What they don’t let you know is that the cardboard is a manner for them to maintain monitor of you. Keeping monitor of you lets them fee your play, and preserve tabs on you. I don’t suggest getting a card, however in case you do get one make sure to NOT give your actual title. The benefit of getting a participant’s card is that they may mark down how a lot you’ve performed and the way a lot you’ve guess and gained or misplaced (in addition to your taking part in historical past and ability stage.) “Comps” or complimentary meals and drinks are given to gamers primarily based on how a lot they play, or how a lot they’ve guess. So you enhance your probabilities of getting comped on meals or a room when you have a participant’s card that reveals you’ve spent fairly a bit of cash. Its a type of bribery — in case you play lengthy sufficient, we’ll throw in a pair bucks value of grub or booze.
Nearly all casinos monitor your play utilizing pc programs. Each time you play or use your participant’s card to get comp meals or drink, casinos will accumulate information on you and retailer it of their database. So, the following time you present up at that on line casino or resort, even when it’s a 12 months later, they know what to anticipate from you. And if they’ve rated your taking part in capability as knowledgeable or skilled, you can be greeted with extra scrutiny than the typical participant. The on line casino will most actually know that there’s an knowledgeable participant on the tables to regulate.
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Originally printed within the Winter 1998 situation of Blackjack Review Magazine
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