Blackjack Blackjack cheating and advantage play methods explained
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cyph
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MUCKING
’Mucking' refers to the classic technique of switching one or more cards. To muck a card is to steaflBP switch it, or return it to the game. A hand mucker is an expert at switching cards.
The scam generally consists of three stages: the steal of a single card, the switch, andjthq cleanup, where the held-out card is added back to the deck.
A common set-up in this scam is for the mucker and crew to lock up an entire game, with crew members playing the role of turns and lookouts. The turns will keep the dealer busy, george it up (havel fun), and watch the muckers back. Many muckers prefer to grind out the action, only betting from $50 to $100, but even with a relatively small bet size, it doesn't take long to win $1,000 to $1,500, after which,' the crew moves to another casino. I’ve also seen muckers move on $1,000 bets, but it’s rare and infinitely] more dangerous—definitely a hit-an-run approach.
The Steal
Numerous methods have been devised for stealing the first card, called the starter card’. Cards have been stolen and palmed during the cutting action (when the deck is cut by hand), or stolen direedy from the discard rack after the dealer is turned. One crew utilized a bold ruse. They employed an older woman to simply ditch a card in her pocketbook, and when the dealer came around, she innocently claimed that she was only dealt one card! Gutsy? Just ask any veteran boss if he has ever been called to a game because a player was dealt only one card. It has happened to most during their career. The standard procedure is to kill the hand, no action, and since the woman is only betting the minimum bet, what's the big deal? The stolen card is then handed to the mucker, on or off the game, and the process of switching cards begins.
One of the most deceptive steals starts with the mucker betting two checks. If he hits his hand twice and the hit cards total 9,10, or 11, one card is mucked out of play (Fig 1). Then, a few seconds later, while rechecking the hand, one check is slid off the bet so two checks now rest side by by side (Fig. 2). When the dealer comes around, the player has one card, a double bet, and appears to have doubled down. One card has been stolen from play (Fig. 3).
||4§In-another technique, after the player hits a few times, a card is mucked out and one card tucked under the bet (Fig. 4). After the dealer passes the mucker's position, the single card is turned face up momentarily, as if the player has busted, then picked up with a hit card, and retucked under the bet (Figs. 5 and 6). Again, one card has been stolen.
Fig. 4 -Stealing the six tfyFig. 5 - Appears to bust, then picks Fig. 6 - Retucks the hand
up the hit card '
Here's a method requiring collusion with the dealer. The cheater mucks one card and tucks one card. As the dealer comes around to turn the hand over, he simply adds another card to the mucker's single card) and turns them both face up. Again, one card has been stolen.
One-Card Mucks
Over the years I have collected about 50 different mucking techniques, with the core method used by most hand muckers being called the chop1. Assume a ten-value card has been stolen and held out under the knee, thigh, or crotch. The mucker picks up a hand like 15 (Fig. 7), and the five is mucked from play as only one card is being tucked under the bet (Figs. 8 and 9). Under the table the five is exchanged for the ten-value while turns keep the dealer busy, Then, under the guise of rechecking the hand, the ten-value is added to the single card (Figs. 10,11, and 12),
’Mucking' refers to the classic technique of switching one or more cards. To muck a card is to steaflBP switch it, or return it to the game. A hand mucker is an expert at switching cards.
The scam generally consists of three stages: the steal of a single card, the switch, andjthq cleanup, where the held-out card is added back to the deck.
A common set-up in this scam is for the mucker and crew to lock up an entire game, with crew members playing the role of turns and lookouts. The turns will keep the dealer busy, george it up (havel fun), and watch the muckers back. Many muckers prefer to grind out the action, only betting from $50 to $100, but even with a relatively small bet size, it doesn't take long to win $1,000 to $1,500, after which,' the crew moves to another casino. I’ve also seen muckers move on $1,000 bets, but it’s rare and infinitely] more dangerous—definitely a hit-an-run approach.
The Steal
Numerous methods have been devised for stealing the first card, called the starter card’. Cards have been stolen and palmed during the cutting action (when the deck is cut by hand), or stolen direedy from the discard rack after the dealer is turned. One crew utilized a bold ruse. They employed an older woman to simply ditch a card in her pocketbook, and when the dealer came around, she innocently claimed that she was only dealt one card! Gutsy? Just ask any veteran boss if he has ever been called to a game because a player was dealt only one card. It has happened to most during their career. The standard procedure is to kill the hand, no action, and since the woman is only betting the minimum bet, what's the big deal? The stolen card is then handed to the mucker, on or off the game, and the process of switching cards begins.
One of the most deceptive steals starts with the mucker betting two checks. If he hits his hand twice and the hit cards total 9,10, or 11, one card is mucked out of play (Fig 1). Then, a few seconds later, while rechecking the hand, one check is slid off the bet so two checks now rest side by by side (Fig. 2). When the dealer comes around, the player has one card, a double bet, and appears to have doubled down. One card has been stolen from play (Fig. 3).
||4§In-another technique, after the player hits a few times, a card is mucked out and one card tucked under the bet (Fig. 4). After the dealer passes the mucker's position, the single card is turned face up momentarily, as if the player has busted, then picked up with a hit card, and retucked under the bet (Figs. 5 and 6). Again, one card has been stolen.
Fig. 4 -Stealing the six tfyFig. 5 - Appears to bust, then picks Fig. 6 - Retucks the hand
up the hit card '
Here's a method requiring collusion with the dealer. The cheater mucks one card and tucks one card. As the dealer comes around to turn the hand over, he simply adds another card to the mucker's single card) and turns them both face up. Again, one card has been stolen.
One-Card Mucks
Over the years I have collected about 50 different mucking techniques, with the core method used by most hand muckers being called the chop1. Assume a ten-value card has been stolen and held out under the knee, thigh, or crotch. The mucker picks up a hand like 15 (Fig. 7), and the five is mucked from play as only one card is being tucked under the bet (Figs. 8 and 9). Under the table the five is exchanged for the ten-value while turns keep the dealer busy, Then, under the guise of rechecking the hand, the ten-value is added to the single card (Figs. 10,11, and 12),
cyph
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If the mucked card remains palmed in the hand, the cheater can chop with the right hand, and almost immediately, sometimes instantaneously, complete the muck with the left hand.
The action of adding the palmed card can occur at any natural break in the game, or following one of many intentional interludes from the turns. It often takes place after the dealer moves past the mucker, and many times after the dealer turns over his holecard. Many gamers find it incredulous that a player could put only a single card under his checks without the dealer spotting the discrepancy, but this is exactly how the technique has been used for decades.
Notice how the chop is actually a delayed switch.
For a clever variation, a lady mucker bets $100, money plays. Her boyfriend stands behind her with his hand resting on her shoulder, but in this hand is a palmed ace previously stolen from the game by another mucker and handed off to the partnership. If the lady picks up any hand with a ten-value card, she mucks the other card out of play and begins to tuck the single card. Her boy friend reaches in, adds the palmed ace, turns the blackjack over, mildly scolding his partner, "Sweetie, you have to turn your blackjacks face up." "You might be left with the impression that the lady is a novice.
Here's another technique. The cards are picked up with the left hand and transferred to the right hand as the king is mucked in. The transfer only takes a second, and looks like nothing more than a player casually moving the cards from one hand to another. Once in this position, the right hand alone tucks the cards under the bet while mucking the four out of play (Figs. 13 to 16).
In this next muck, an interesting psychological ploy is used. The muck occurs under the guise of reaching for a drink, but the timing is such that when the dealer gets to the mucker, he still has the drink up to his mouth. Then, as if picking up his cards for the first time and with a look that says, Is it up to me already?", the mucker looks at his hand and shows the snapper (Figs. 17 to 20).
cyph
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Double Down Mucks
Should the cheater play unlucky to a double down, there are mucks designed for this purpose, where a single card is switched for a single card. The mechanics are very similar to those already, described. Holding out a ten-value, the mucker confidently doubles with eleven. After peeking a bad card, the double down card is switched—all in one action, all with one hand (Figs. 21 to 23).
The Cleanup
With these techniques, if, for any reason, its time to call it a day (the crew has booked a win, there’s a deck change, or they're getting heat), it's also time to clean up the deck, since it consists of only 51| cards. Techniques range from capping the cut by adding the palmed card, capping the hit cards by dropping a palmed card faceup on a hand to look like a hit card, or simply adding the stolen card direcdy to the discard rack.
Another method starts with playing the hand normally and tucking two cards. As the dealer passes the mucker's position, the dealer gets turned. The mucker turns over both cards, as if he busted. Then realizing that his hand was good, he leaves one card face up to look like a hit card, and tucks the other card. After a few seconds, he will add the stolen card as he rechecks his hand.
Two-Card Mucks
Although rare (even when mucking was commonplace), mucks can occur with two cards, switching both cards. Naturally, the goal is to steal a snapper and muck the complete hand in on a big bet. Stealing two cards to set up a two-card muck can occur in the normal fashion, it just takes place twice. A faster method has the cheater palming both cards immediately after the initial deal, and tossing in his original bet for change, all with the help of strong turns. The hand just disappears!
Like single-card mucks, there are numerous techniques for switching two cards. Here's just one. A blackjack combination is palmed in the right hand. It's slid under the dealt cards, and revealed faceup, all in one motion, as the original two cards are palmed. From here, most would probably reveal the snapper with the clean hand, moving the dirty hand safely over the edge of the rail (Figs. 24 to 26).
Mucking is a colorful cheating technique. The moves, methods, and psychological angles are endless. I once sat down with a notorious crossroader who specialized in this work. He began to demonstrate the chop, and itiwas immediately apparent that he was equally smooth with both hands. So I complimented him—the very best muckers can always move with both hands. He laughed, and said, “Its one of the first things my father taught me.' In this business you never know when you re going to end up with a broken arm, so you always learn to move with both hands."
There are also many mechnical devices that may facilitate these techniques, but they are even rarer than the pure sleight-of-hand techniques due to the inherent risk of being caught with such evidence. Check the poker chapter for the rundown on these devices.
SWITCHING
Switching is the approach preferred by many who specialize in this work. Cards may be switched from one players hand to another, or between two hands played;by the same player. Gne advantage to switching versus mucking is that the deck is always clean—no card needs to be stolen to start the process, and there’s no need to return a stolen card to the deck.
Perhaps the best switch of them all is the double chop’. Two players, sitting elbow to elbow with arms crossed, chop simultaneously with their outside hands—each player stealing a single card (Fig27). At this stage, each player either keeps the single card up on the layout (as if ready to hit), or tucks that single card under his bet. An exchange of the mucked cards occurs behind the elbows and below the rail (Fig. 28), and the standard cleanup takes place as both players recheck their hands (Fig. 29 and 30). This legendary technique is demanding since it takes two top muckers to pull this one off, but in the hands of professionals, its the best switching I have ever witnessed.
A favorite setup for many card switching scams is for the cheaters to sit in early positiol (first and second base), with other crew members sitting after them. Now, the cheaters are dealt thJ hands first, which gives them an extra second or two to make the switch as the dealer continues I deal the round. Many times the switch is over before the dealer takes his holecard.
Switching can also occur with one player betting two hands. On his first hand, he stand with 15, and leaves the five on top. He picks up 16 in his second hand with a six on top. When fj senses the opportunity, he will move to the right, steal the five and leave the ten, as he turns up 11 fcj a double down (Figs. 31 to 34).
Should the cheater play unlucky to a double down, there are mucks designed for this purpose, where a single card is switched for a single card. The mechanics are very similar to those already, described. Holding out a ten-value, the mucker confidently doubles with eleven. After peeking a bad card, the double down card is switched—all in one action, all with one hand (Figs. 21 to 23).
The Cleanup
With these techniques, if, for any reason, its time to call it a day (the crew has booked a win, there’s a deck change, or they're getting heat), it's also time to clean up the deck, since it consists of only 51| cards. Techniques range from capping the cut by adding the palmed card, capping the hit cards by dropping a palmed card faceup on a hand to look like a hit card, or simply adding the stolen card direcdy to the discard rack.
Another method starts with playing the hand normally and tucking two cards. As the dealer passes the mucker's position, the dealer gets turned. The mucker turns over both cards, as if he busted. Then realizing that his hand was good, he leaves one card face up to look like a hit card, and tucks the other card. After a few seconds, he will add the stolen card as he rechecks his hand.
Two-Card Mucks
Although rare (even when mucking was commonplace), mucks can occur with two cards, switching both cards. Naturally, the goal is to steal a snapper and muck the complete hand in on a big bet. Stealing two cards to set up a two-card muck can occur in the normal fashion, it just takes place twice. A faster method has the cheater palming both cards immediately after the initial deal, and tossing in his original bet for change, all with the help of strong turns. The hand just disappears!
Like single-card mucks, there are numerous techniques for switching two cards. Here's just one. A blackjack combination is palmed in the right hand. It's slid under the dealt cards, and revealed faceup, all in one motion, as the original two cards are palmed. From here, most would probably reveal the snapper with the clean hand, moving the dirty hand safely over the edge of the rail (Figs. 24 to 26).
Mucking is a colorful cheating technique. The moves, methods, and psychological angles are endless. I once sat down with a notorious crossroader who specialized in this work. He began to demonstrate the chop, and itiwas immediately apparent that he was equally smooth with both hands. So I complimented him—the very best muckers can always move with both hands. He laughed, and said, “Its one of the first things my father taught me.' In this business you never know when you re going to end up with a broken arm, so you always learn to move with both hands."
There are also many mechnical devices that may facilitate these techniques, but they are even rarer than the pure sleight-of-hand techniques due to the inherent risk of being caught with such evidence. Check the poker chapter for the rundown on these devices.
SWITCHING
Switching is the approach preferred by many who specialize in this work. Cards may be switched from one players hand to another, or between two hands played;by the same player. Gne advantage to switching versus mucking is that the deck is always clean—no card needs to be stolen to start the process, and there’s no need to return a stolen card to the deck.
Perhaps the best switch of them all is the double chop’. Two players, sitting elbow to elbow with arms crossed, chop simultaneously with their outside hands—each player stealing a single card (Fig27). At this stage, each player either keeps the single card up on the layout (as if ready to hit), or tucks that single card under his bet. An exchange of the mucked cards occurs behind the elbows and below the rail (Fig. 28), and the standard cleanup takes place as both players recheck their hands (Fig. 29 and 30). This legendary technique is demanding since it takes two top muckers to pull this one off, but in the hands of professionals, its the best switching I have ever witnessed.
A favorite setup for many card switching scams is for the cheaters to sit in early positiol (first and second base), with other crew members sitting after them. Now, the cheaters are dealt thJ hands first, which gives them an extra second or two to make the switch as the dealer continues I deal the round. Many times the switch is over before the dealer takes his holecard.
Switching can also occur with one player betting two hands. On his first hand, he stand with 15, and leaves the five on top. He picks up 16 in his second hand with a six on top. When fj senses the opportunity, he will move to the right, steal the five and leave the ten, as he turns up 11 fcj a double down (Figs. 31 to 34).
cyph
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With many of these switches, you might think that speed is essential for the move to be successful, when, in fact, these moves are usually done reasonably slow. Smoothness is the key, as it attracts less attention.- Remember, the dealer is turried as the move occursk*;::
Position is another; important ‘factor; If the switches sitsdn frontVof his first bet, there is less of a reaching or darting motion needed, just one natural, straightforward action1 of turning* the cards face upcfor -a double down or a blackjack. -
Here’s one last 'switch, and from Sleight-of-hand perspective, the technique is;impressive. A card is switched from one hand to another, yet only one hand is on the cards at all times. The Erst hand is set with a t*en on top, and its a small bet. As the second hand is picked up'(a big bet), th^witcher decides tofmove with the combination) so the eight is mucked. Going back to the first hand, as if to double check this hand, a switch occurs. A few seconds later, the second hand gets cleaned up in traditional fashion (Figs],35 f</39).
By all accounts, during the 1950s to the early 1970s, muckers and switchers seemed to be everywhere. Not any more. These cheaters quickly realized that the 24/7 surveillance coverage did not make for the safest playing conditions.
Today, the evidence suggests that you are rnore likely to run into these types of techniques in poker, Carribean Stud, and the Asian games of Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker. This is especially true in regard to the Asian games in California, where one crew, double chopping, took off a. banking syndicate (a team of player/hankers) for almost $1,000,000. Recently, a hand mucker won almost five niillion dollars in Asia while playing baccarat (see the baccarat chapter). *
cyph
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SHINERS
Shiner is the term for any image-reletting device, the most common being a small mirror, It may also be called a 'glim' or light', the latter word coming from the reflection seen when a shiner faces the light.
They are generally used in an attempt to pick off the dealer’s holecard. By concealing the shiner at table level, held at about a 45° angle, the cheater can now look down at the shiner and achieve the same;pierspective as if his eyes were at table level. Two cheaters are generally involved, ‘ with one playing the shiner and the other being the takeoff man.
Sp|r'he size of the gaff varies, and there are many methods of concealment. The classic shiner is roughly two inches long by one inch high, and sits on a makeshift stand, and both the back of ’the shiner and stand are often painted a flesh color to aid concealment. The stand ensures a perfect yiewing angle when the shiner sits on the layout (Fig. 40), and can also be used to move the shiner around. When flipped face down so the stand* protrudes, the cheater s hand can clip the shiner between the fingers in a flat, palmdown position (Figs, 41 and 42), Now he can either dispose of it, drop it in apocket, or rest the hand on the rail.
A cocktail glass or beer bottle can often be used as a prop. As the: shiner sitsfonlthe game, it’s concealed by the hand holding or renting against the prop. ^Lifting the hand slighdy. off the table as the holecard is dealt lets the shiner .reflect its value.
In our next example, we find a rectangular-shaped shiner hidden in a cigarette box. A hole is cut into the top of the box, and a match book with a similar opening sits oh top, partially closed to hide the opening from the dealer, pit, and ,surveillance. The lid of the cigarette box only needs to!
Shiner is the term for any image-reletting device, the most common being a small mirror, It may also be called a 'glim' or light', the latter word coming from the reflection seen when a shiner faces the light.
They are generally used in an attempt to pick off the dealer’s holecard. By concealing the shiner at table level, held at about a 45° angle, the cheater can now look down at the shiner and achieve the same;pierspective as if his eyes were at table level. Two cheaters are generally involved, ‘ with one playing the shiner and the other being the takeoff man.
Sp|r'he size of the gaff varies, and there are many methods of concealment. The classic shiner is roughly two inches long by one inch high, and sits on a makeshift stand, and both the back of ’the shiner and stand are often painted a flesh color to aid concealment. The stand ensures a perfect yiewing angle when the shiner sits on the layout (Fig. 40), and can also be used to move the shiner around. When flipped face down so the stand* protrudes, the cheater s hand can clip the shiner between the fingers in a flat, palmdown position (Figs, 41 and 42), Now he can either dispose of it, drop it in apocket, or rest the hand on the rail.
A cocktail glass or beer bottle can often be used as a prop. As the: shiner sitsfonlthe game, it’s concealed by the hand holding or renting against the prop. ^Lifting the hand slighdy. off the table as the holecard is dealt lets the shiner .reflect its value.
In our next example, we find a rectangular-shaped shiner hidden in a cigarette box. A hole is cut into the top of the box, and a match book with a similar opening sits oh top, partially closed to hide the opening from the dealer, pit, and ,surveillance. The lid of the cigarette box only needs to!
cyph
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be a fraction of an inch off the layout in order to establish a viewing angle, and both the lid of the box and the match book cover can be closed at a moment’s notice(Figs,‘43 to 45).
Another shiner, circular arid roughly the size of a half dollar, is built into a casino check sitting on top of thexheater's stack of checks. When it comes time to peek, the check is picked up, flipped upside down, and rests on the thumb (Fig. 46). This is the peek position. After the holecard is dealt, the shiner is flipped back onto the stack for immediate concealment (Fig. 47). The hands can-now move naturally and appear empty, because they are. When this method is employed, it appears that no device could be used.
Other variations of the shiner exist. I know of more than one hustler who innocently fiddled with his lighter trying to get a peek. Another would take his glasses off, set, them on the table, and try to get a reflection. Others have tried wristwatch faces-^-the darker.the face, the; better. With the watch on the wrist that is resting naturally on the table, the other hahd picks the cafds up off the layout to peek underneath.
Sometimes a shiner can surface by accident. One story tells of the *table chip rack being designed
Another shiner, circular arid roughly the size of a half dollar, is built into a casino check sitting on top of thexheater's stack of checks. When it comes time to peek, the check is picked up, flipped upside down, and rests on the thumb (Fig. 46). This is the peek position. After the holecard is dealt, the shiner is flipped back onto the stack for immediate concealment (Fig. 47). The hands can-now move naturally and appear empty, because they are. When this method is employed, it appears that no device could be used.
Other variations of the shiner exist. I know of more than one hustler who innocently fiddled with his lighter trying to get a peek. Another would take his glasses off, set, them on the table, and try to get a reflection. Others have tried wristwatch faces-^-the darker.the face, the; better. With the watch on the wrist that is resting naturally on the table, the other hahd picks the cafds up off the layout to peek underneath.
Sometimes a shiner can surface by accident. One story tells of the *table chip rack being designed
cyph
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in a way that the holecard was reflected back to certain player positions during the peeking action under tens and aces. Imagine that! Another describes a belt buckle worn by a certain dealer, which always gratuitously gave up his holecard during the peek.
Then there was the shiner that featured an amazing cleanup. If the cheater was grabbed, the gaff had certain pressure points that, when squeezed, popped the shiner into powder, as if exploding without a boom. The shiner was made from a custom-shaped Christmas tree bulb.
By far, the most amazing casino shiner that I have ever come across was built into a custom-made cocktail glass. I saw the prototype, but never a working model. From what I remember (were going back twenty years), a mirror was built into a false bottom. There was a small opening on one side where the cheater peeked through, and the other side had an opening about one inch long by a half-inch high. Holding the glass normally concealed both openings, but sliding the hand up by;only a half inch created the peek. The cheater had originally researched the possibility of building a shiner into an artificial ice cube attached inside the bottom of the glass. He wanted a gaff that could be filled with additional ice cubes and the beverage of his choice. Unfortunately, the originator of this device passed away, so I don't know if the gaff was ever used under fire. But if you knew this person as I did, there was no doubt that this device was destined to see the casino floor. It was just a question of time.
Scams with shiners are rare. Technology has transformed this gaff to a level never imagined some years back. Hidden cameras now provide the same table level vantage point, and these miniature marvels have been behind some of the most sophisticated and profitable casino scams in recent years.
OUTSIDE CHECK MOVES
To 'cap' or press' means to add to a bet, and to pinch’ means to take some away. These scams are generally rank and desperate acts. In most cases, a cheater will simply wait for the dealer to be distracted and blatantly cap or pinch with very little technique employed. In those rare cases where the scam is planned and practiced, you can expect a hit and run approach. If a crew can get the move down two or three times, they are generally off to another club.
Capping
These techniques most often occur after the dealers hand is complete, the goal being to increase the payoff on a sure thing. But I've also seen cheaters cap with good hands before the dealer acts, hoping that they hold up.
One technique is to load up and get ready to cap if a blackjack is dealt. As the player toys with his checks, a few are concealed in the palm. If a non-blackjack is dealt, the cards fall to the layout, the palmed checks are added to the player's stack, and the cards can be played normally with a clean hand. If a snapper is dealt (Fig. 51), the cards are dropped face up in front of the bet with both cards squared
Then there was the shiner that featured an amazing cleanup. If the cheater was grabbed, the gaff had certain pressure points that, when squeezed, popped the shiner into powder, as if exploding without a boom. The shiner was made from a custom-shaped Christmas tree bulb.
By far, the most amazing casino shiner that I have ever come across was built into a custom-made cocktail glass. I saw the prototype, but never a working model. From what I remember (were going back twenty years), a mirror was built into a false bottom. There was a small opening on one side where the cheater peeked through, and the other side had an opening about one inch long by a half-inch high. Holding the glass normally concealed both openings, but sliding the hand up by;only a half inch created the peek. The cheater had originally researched the possibility of building a shiner into an artificial ice cube attached inside the bottom of the glass. He wanted a gaff that could be filled with additional ice cubes and the beverage of his choice. Unfortunately, the originator of this device passed away, so I don't know if the gaff was ever used under fire. But if you knew this person as I did, there was no doubt that this device was destined to see the casino floor. It was just a question of time.
Scams with shiners are rare. Technology has transformed this gaff to a level never imagined some years back. Hidden cameras now provide the same table level vantage point, and these miniature marvels have been behind some of the most sophisticated and profitable casino scams in recent years.
OUTSIDE CHECK MOVES
To 'cap' or press' means to add to a bet, and to pinch’ means to take some away. These scams are generally rank and desperate acts. In most cases, a cheater will simply wait for the dealer to be distracted and blatantly cap or pinch with very little technique employed. In those rare cases where the scam is planned and practiced, you can expect a hit and run approach. If a crew can get the move down two or three times, they are generally off to another club.
Capping
These techniques most often occur after the dealers hand is complete, the goal being to increase the payoff on a sure thing. But I've also seen cheaters cap with good hands before the dealer acts, hoping that they hold up.
One technique is to load up and get ready to cap if a blackjack is dealt. As the player toys with his checks, a few are concealed in the palm. If a non-blackjack is dealt, the cards fall to the layout, the palmed checks are added to the player's stack, and the cards can be played normally with a clean hand. If a snapper is dealt (Fig. 51), the cards are dropped face up in front of the bet with both cards squared
cyph
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and aligned (Fig. 52), This is intentional. Then, as a gesture to assist the dealer, the cheater reaches over the bet to spread both cards, and the bet is capped The sequence of moves creates a
logical reason for reaching over the bet a second time.
One of the most common approaches is capping high-denomination checks to the bottom of a bet during the action of rechecking the hand. For example, asmSl'stack of blacks are held iri the left hand. If the player is dealt J^strong hand, a black check is dropped to the table and picked up under the Cards. When the time is* right/the] cards are tucked under the bet as the thumb pushes the black check to the bottom of the players bet. Then, almost immediately, the cards are pulled back as if to recheck the hand. The bet has been pressed for $100
An offbeat capping technique can /occurduring a, do uble down. The technique stafts|by moving four checks behind the cards and picking up t wo’ch ecks with tnejrigh t hand (Fig.Sffi As the cards are turned face up in front of the bet, the bet is capped (Fig. 5S), and doubled for a quadruple down (Fig. 59). The cards provide cover for the technique.
logical reason for reaching over the bet a second time.
One of the most common approaches is capping high-denomination checks to the bottom of a bet during the action of rechecking the hand. For example, asmSl'stack of blacks are held iri the left hand. If the player is dealt J^strong hand, a black check is dropped to the table and picked up under the Cards. When the time is* right/the] cards are tucked under the bet as the thumb pushes the black check to the bottom of the players bet. Then, almost immediately, the cards are pulled back as if to recheck the hand. The bet has been pressed for $100
An offbeat capping technique can /occurduring a, do uble down. The technique stafts|by moving four checks behind the cards and picking up t wo’ch ecks with tnejrigh t hand (Fig.Sffi As the cards are turned face up in front of the bet, the bet is capped (Fig. 5S), and doubled for a quadruple down (Fig. 59). The cards provide cover for the technique.
cyph
Trusted Member
Pinching
The goal of any pinch is to reduce the loss,of a losing hand. A very fast pinch can occur at thl| instant the player tucks his cards under his bet. During this, action, his first two fingers clip the top check, and immediately come back to a resting position (Figs. 60’to 62). If the dealer is turned or jp’fepccupied for a split second, it s too late.
In another variation, one hand rests a few inches behind the bet. Under the pretense of an overanxious scratch for a hit, either the cards or. fingers will contact the top check and flip it back! under the resting hand.
It's even possible to pinch the bottom check of a bet. As a weak hand is tucked under the bet, the cards hit the bottom check from the front, kicking it back under the resting hand. The check just pops out, moving three to four inches instantly, and it; takes very little movement of the cards to dislodge the check (Figs. 63 and 64). This is, probably the subtlest pinch I have ever seen.
Heres an example of a practiced scam with no technique.
One crew worked three-handed, two men and an older woman. Earlier buy-ins, quick color ups, and cash outs provide the woman with some hundred dollar checks. Sitting on third base, betting $10, she conceals a small stack of $100 checks, and waits for her first winner. After the
payoff—the woman is paid first—the dealet nioves tb the other players. One of the men turns the dealer as the woman blatantly exchanges the original bet for a two-check bet, a $5 check on top and a $100 check on the bottom! The woman then quickly calls the dealer's attention to the apparent short change. Naturally, the woman is no longer concealing the stack of blacks, they are out in the open for everyone to see, so she now appears to be someone capable of betting $100; Most dealers apologize and correct the payoff. If the dealer isn't sure, a boss is called over, and he generally gives the player the benefit of the doubt and makes everything right. The play has its best chance of success when the woman wins one of her first few bets, as there is no history of bet size and the element of surprise is high.
It can be documented that some crews have worked this scam hundreds of times before being detected. They set up, take their best shot, and move to another store.
As you can see, cheaters can be very creative. They have come up with techniques to cap off the top and bottom, pinch off the top and bottom, quadruple down, and even make claims of a 'snp^|bhange.
Although these scams are generally perpetrated for short money, in more than one case involving dealer collusion, these scams have won serious money. In one of the largest casinos in the world, three dealers and three takeoff men scammed about $l^O0O;QOO before they were detected. The scam occurred five times a week, for $10,000 a night over1 a five-month period. The dealers job was easy, he just had to look the other way.
CUTTING TECHNIQUES
Numerous techniques have evolved for peeking a card during the cut. The top card, bottom card, a card from the middle of the deck, even multiple cards, can be peeked and steered' accordingly. Steering refers to the strategy of betting, mote than one box, by one or more members of the crew, in order to help direct or position a target card or cards. Big cards are generally, steered, to the takeoff man, and small cards are steered to the dealers upcard or holecard. The first few examples assume that the player can cut by hand, which is now rare. They re included more for historical relevance and related applications. They are very clever. Then we'll look at a couple of scams with the cutcard. v
The Wobble Cut
For this first move, called a ’wobble cut’, the cutter sits center. The entire deck is lifted and angled slightly as it's cut so that the bottom card is flashed to another crew member. The takeoff man cuts off a small packet and estimates the number of cards cut. After he receives a signal indicating the value of the bottom card, he plays and bets accordingly. Cutters will often accent the back end of the cutting action as the bigger motion tends to hide the smaller motion of wobbling and flashing.
(once called the 'stutter cut', referring to the back and forth motion), the cutter cuts center, lifting the top half of the deck ever so slightly. The cutter immediately goes back and picks up another handful of cards (Fig. 65). In the same wobbling action, the cut continues by flashing the bottom card of the newly cut packet, and allowing this packet to drop back (Fig. 66). The original cut half is carried over and dropped to the table. The peeked card now sits five to eight cards down from the top of the deck.
Cut Peek
This next move allows the deck to stay flat and parallel to the layout at all times while the top card is lifted at the back corner by the flesh at the base of the thumb (Fig. 67). In this position, the top card can be flashed to a crew member during the cut. The cut peek is usually combined with a deep cut, bringing the flashed card up near the top of the deck. The cut was estimated, and the flashed card was steered accordingly.
Riffle Cut
The riffle cut' is arguably the best cutting technique ever devised, and in capable hands the maneuver defies detection. The sharpest bosses and dealers routinely faded the move for years. One crew alone won over $1,000,000 with the move.
With most techniques, its common for the cutter to play seated; with the riffle cut, the cutter plays standing, and the advantages are significant. Now almost face to face with the dealer, its easy for the dealer to be turned with a comment, smile, or eye contact. Since the cutter never looks at the deck, manipulation seems unlikely.
The goal of any pinch is to reduce the loss,of a losing hand. A very fast pinch can occur at thl| instant the player tucks his cards under his bet. During this, action, his first two fingers clip the top check, and immediately come back to a resting position (Figs. 60’to 62). If the dealer is turned or jp’fepccupied for a split second, it s too late.
In another variation, one hand rests a few inches behind the bet. Under the pretense of an overanxious scratch for a hit, either the cards or. fingers will contact the top check and flip it back! under the resting hand.
It's even possible to pinch the bottom check of a bet. As a weak hand is tucked under the bet, the cards hit the bottom check from the front, kicking it back under the resting hand. The check just pops out, moving three to four inches instantly, and it; takes very little movement of the cards to dislodge the check (Figs. 63 and 64). This is, probably the subtlest pinch I have ever seen.
Heres an example of a practiced scam with no technique.
One crew worked three-handed, two men and an older woman. Earlier buy-ins, quick color ups, and cash outs provide the woman with some hundred dollar checks. Sitting on third base, betting $10, she conceals a small stack of $100 checks, and waits for her first winner. After the
payoff—the woman is paid first—the dealet nioves tb the other players. One of the men turns the dealer as the woman blatantly exchanges the original bet for a two-check bet, a $5 check on top and a $100 check on the bottom! The woman then quickly calls the dealer's attention to the apparent short change. Naturally, the woman is no longer concealing the stack of blacks, they are out in the open for everyone to see, so she now appears to be someone capable of betting $100; Most dealers apologize and correct the payoff. If the dealer isn't sure, a boss is called over, and he generally gives the player the benefit of the doubt and makes everything right. The play has its best chance of success when the woman wins one of her first few bets, as there is no history of bet size and the element of surprise is high.
It can be documented that some crews have worked this scam hundreds of times before being detected. They set up, take their best shot, and move to another store.
As you can see, cheaters can be very creative. They have come up with techniques to cap off the top and bottom, pinch off the top and bottom, quadruple down, and even make claims of a 'snp^|bhange.
Although these scams are generally perpetrated for short money, in more than one case involving dealer collusion, these scams have won serious money. In one of the largest casinos in the world, three dealers and three takeoff men scammed about $l^O0O;QOO before they were detected. The scam occurred five times a week, for $10,000 a night over1 a five-month period. The dealers job was easy, he just had to look the other way.
CUTTING TECHNIQUES
Numerous techniques have evolved for peeking a card during the cut. The top card, bottom card, a card from the middle of the deck, even multiple cards, can be peeked and steered' accordingly. Steering refers to the strategy of betting, mote than one box, by one or more members of the crew, in order to help direct or position a target card or cards. Big cards are generally, steered, to the takeoff man, and small cards are steered to the dealers upcard or holecard. The first few examples assume that the player can cut by hand, which is now rare. They re included more for historical relevance and related applications. They are very clever. Then we'll look at a couple of scams with the cutcard. v
The Wobble Cut
For this first move, called a ’wobble cut’, the cutter sits center. The entire deck is lifted and angled slightly as it's cut so that the bottom card is flashed to another crew member. The takeoff man cuts off a small packet and estimates the number of cards cut. After he receives a signal indicating the value of the bottom card, he plays and bets accordingly. Cutters will often accent the back end of the cutting action as the bigger motion tends to hide the smaller motion of wobbling and flashing.
(once called the 'stutter cut', referring to the back and forth motion), the cutter cuts center, lifting the top half of the deck ever so slightly. The cutter immediately goes back and picks up another handful of cards (Fig. 65). In the same wobbling action, the cut continues by flashing the bottom card of the newly cut packet, and allowing this packet to drop back (Fig. 66). The original cut half is carried over and dropped to the table. The peeked card now sits five to eight cards down from the top of the deck.
Cut Peek
This next move allows the deck to stay flat and parallel to the layout at all times while the top card is lifted at the back corner by the flesh at the base of the thumb (Fig. 67). In this position, the top card can be flashed to a crew member during the cut. The cut peek is usually combined with a deep cut, bringing the flashed card up near the top of the deck. The cut was estimated, and the flashed card was steered accordingly.
Riffle Cut
The riffle cut' is arguably the best cutting technique ever devised, and in capable hands the maneuver defies detection. The sharpest bosses and dealers routinely faded the move for years. One crew alone won over $1,000,000 with the move.
With most techniques, its common for the cutter to play seated; with the riffle cut, the cutter plays standing, and the advantages are significant. Now almost face to face with the dealer, its easy for the dealer to be turned with a comment, smile, or eye contact. Since the cutter never looks at the deck, manipulation seems unlikely.
cyph
Trusted Member
The cutter breaks the deck at the back comer (Fig. 68 and 69), then immediately drops two cards. The two cards are dropped as one, in what best can be described as a riffling action. The drop is instantaneous, and the cut follows normally. With practice, there is no discemable hesitation in the move.
The riffle cut requires a spotter who sits behind the cutter. He sits slightly back in his chair, getting as low as possible (.women were often used, as^spotters). As the cut breaks in the back, the exposed card is the peeked card. After dropping two cards, this card becomes the second card from the top. After a burn card, this card is then the first card dealt to the takeoff man.
The top card advantages are strong and sure^wherepther cutting techniques have to deal with estimation, and therefore have diluted advantages.
Multiple Cards
Some dealers are easier to turn than others, so a few of the better crews began to exploit the softer help by peeking multiple cards. Using the riffle cut and dropping two sets of two cards, both the second and fourth cards are flashed. These are the two cards that will be dealt to the takeoff man in a heads-up game, so the spotter would sit out on good hands, and play when a bad hand was flashed.
Flashing two cards was just the beginning. Some crews would riffle off from three to seven cards. On occasion the complete hand was known, including the players hand, the dealers hand, and the hit cards! It all depended on the ease of turning the dealer.
Mechanical Peeker
There was even a mechanical method for peeking and cutting the exact number of cards. The gaff was a small circular metal piece with two small protruding pins, and the distance between the pins had been measured and constructed precisely (Fig. 70)'.} It was concealed on the thumb with a circular bandage. As the thumb made contact with the side of the deck, small breaks were created seventeen cards apart. Using the wobble cut to flash a center card, this small gaff allowed the bottom card of a seventeen-card
The riffle cut requires a spotter who sits behind the cutter. He sits slightly back in his chair, getting as low as possible (.women were often used, as^spotters). As the cut breaks in the back, the exposed card is the peeked card. After dropping two cards, this card becomes the second card from the top. After a burn card, this card is then the first card dealt to the takeoff man.
The top card advantages are strong and sure^wherepther cutting techniques have to deal with estimation, and therefore have diluted advantages.
Multiple Cards
Some dealers are easier to turn than others, so a few of the better crews began to exploit the softer help by peeking multiple cards. Using the riffle cut and dropping two sets of two cards, both the second and fourth cards are flashed. These are the two cards that will be dealt to the takeoff man in a heads-up game, so the spotter would sit out on good hands, and play when a bad hand was flashed.
Flashing two cards was just the beginning. Some crews would riffle off from three to seven cards. On occasion the complete hand was known, including the players hand, the dealers hand, and the hit cards! It all depended on the ease of turning the dealer.
Mechanical Peeker
There was even a mechanical method for peeking and cutting the exact number of cards. The gaff was a small circular metal piece with two small protruding pins, and the distance between the pins had been measured and constructed precisely (Fig. 70)'.} It was concealed on the thumb with a circular bandage. As the thumb made contact with the side of the deck, small breaks were created seventeen cards apart. Using the wobble cut to flash a center card, this small gaff allowed the bottom card of a seventeen-card
dicesetter
Member
Thanks and cyph! I must admit some of the terms in this stuff I have never heard before. A lot of this I had no idea about. Very interesting reading.
Aces High
Member
Absolutely great stuff here, but it's almost all cheating. I read Phil Ivey had the ruling go against him with edge sorting. If he was working with dealers, that would be cheating. But from what I saw in his interview he didnt cheat. It was just advantage play. Its the casinos own fault if they use bad cards.