Skilled Blackjack Players Affecting Casino Operations

September 9th, 2010  |  Published in Gambling Games

There is a great deal of controversy regarding how to handle skilled gamblers (card-counters), especially those playing Blackjack. In many cases the debate is based on lack of knowledge of the game or misconceptions by the surveillance, security and pit management departments. Depending on casino policy and the casino personnel, these opinionated differences can lead to liabilities.

Casino Policy

All casinos should have some type of policy on how to handle skilled players. This is commonly decided by upper casino management and verified by the legal counsel. The result of this collaboration is specific procedures that confirm how to handle players of high skill that are less than desirable customers.

Liabilities

Skilled Blackjack players do not hugely affect the casino’s bottom line. Instead they are a liability when practicing fraud by using false names. Another liability is that these players are using card counting methods which can be discovered through their betting and playing patterns.

Single card counters can easily be detected by surveillance and/or security. As a result, their income is minimal. On the other hand, card counting groups that risk little money and place large wagers when the cards are favorable can impact the pit income greatly when allowed to operate for an extended period of time.

The biggest liability is the actual lack of policy for handling these players. Without a procedure, the casino staff can mishandle patrons resulting in terrible public relations with potential customers. Also, this type of behavior often leads to lawsuits against the casino because they are treating players like criminals.

Why a Policy is Important

A detailed policy must be implemented prior to the opening of a casino to avoid these situations. There are too many areas where public relations can greatly diminish as well as legal battles can ensue as a result of improper customer relations. There is so much potential for liabilities within the casino business. Some are easily noticeable while others are hidden.

It is a shame when situations such as the previous go overlooked and the casino must engage in legal battles and poor press when it could have simply been avoided with policy and procedure. Once a policy is in place, security, surveillance, management and floor personnel will develop a better understanding as to how to manage these individuals and save the casino from the trouble and hassle of negative results.

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Baccarat Strategies that Give you an Edge

July 12th, 2010  |  Published in Gambling Games

Once you’ve learned the basic rules of baccarat, the next step is to ascertain a few common strategies that will give you an edge against the house. Baccarat is a guessing game as to which hand will win. The banker hand has a slight edge, winning 50.68 percent of all hands. This gives the house a 1.17 percent edge on the banker (due to the 5 percent commission collected by the casino).

Card Counting System

Many mathematicians have argued that baccarat is susceptible to a card counting system, similar to blackjack. The best counting system developed only gives the player a slight advantage on one hand per eight deck shoes. This is not enough of an advantage to make it worth the while. The time involved to gain the edge is enormous and the casino wouldn’t hold the seat for someone not playing consistently.

To attain the advantage, the player must count down every single hand, without playing, until the advantage comes along. This is not a good way to spend time at the casino and over the long run would significantly decrease the player’s hourly earnings.

More Efficient Strategies

Despite the card counting, there are a few strategies that will come in handy during normal play. First, money management is one of the best areas to perfect. This means not making bets too large for your immediate bankroll. Also, do not chase (make larger bets when losing). This is a great way to lose all your money quickly.

Also, if you set a specific goal for winning and hit that mark, walk away. Do not continue to pump money back into the casino. Since the house almost always has the edge, over the long term, you will lose. A big part of successful gambling is discipline. Similarly, when winning, learn to walk away. When winning, only bet with a small portion of it and if you lose that, walk away.

Baccarat is a game that’s as exciting as blackjack or craps. Although not the most popular game in the casino, many flock to it due to the excitement of the game. Following these easy tips will help you to be a more consistent winner. The two keys to baccarat are money management and discipline. Keeping a consistent betting pattern accompanied with knowing when to cut your losses or walk away a winner will help you become steadily successful.

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Man Accused of Card Counting at a Blackjack Table Sues Casino

February 17th, 2010  |  Published in Casino News

The man who was accused of counting cards at a blackjack table in the Paris Las Vegas casino in Las Vegas, Nevada is suing for rights to reenter the casino. According to the man, the casino’s decision to ban him from their establishment is not in accordance with Nevada law. Harris who is the defendant in the lawsuit owns the Paris Las Vegas casino.

According to Harris, Steven Silverstein was Counting Cards

Steven Silverstein was playing at a blackjack table at the Paris Las Vegas casino owned by Harris on September 6th, 2009 when four casino employees approached him. Steven Silverstein was directed to the cashier’s desk and asked to cash in his casino chips. Upon doing so, Steven Silverstein met the Paris Las Vegas manager who instructed Silverstein to leave the casino and imposed a ban on him returning.

According to the casino manager, Steven Silverstein was counting cards at the blackjack table. According to a letter Steven Silverstein wrote to Harrah’s Chief Executive Gary Loveman following the event, he was not counting cards and the casino manager had mistaken him for someone else. Mark Dunn, the Vice President of Legal Affairs, responded to the letter by banning Steven Silverstein not only from the Paris Las Vegas casino but also from sixteen total casinos in Harris western district.

Steven Silverstein Sues Harris to be Able to Reenter the Casino

According to Steven Silverstein, he was not counting cards on September 6th at that blackjack table. He also claims that Harris revoked his player’s club card for all of their casinos, effectively preventing him from playing poker at any of their establishments, which is against the original letter Mark Dunn wrote to Silverstein, which stated he was only banned from the western region of Harris’ branches. Steven Silverstein also believes that any ban is against Nevada’s laws and would like them all to be removed and his playing privileges to be reestablished at every Harris casino.

Steven Silverstein filed the lawsuit against Harris in the Clark County District Court earlier this month. Steven Silverstein is a lawyer in Los Angeles, California. To date, this is the only altercation he has had with the Harris casinos or any casinos on the Las Vegas strip. There is no word yet on whether Harris will decide to settle the Silverstein case out of court or proceed to trial.

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