Blackjack is one of the few games where your theoretical knowledge comes into play. Rather than rely on luck (which can fail you at any moment), you brush up on the game’s rules. Get to understand when to hit, surrender, and all that. And to get the most out of the game, you sign up on blackjack sites that offer incredible bonuses and great odds, like Big Spin Casino. You can click here for more information on the blackjack variations. And learn a thing or two about the gameplay.
But let’s be honest. With movies depicting just how much you can win by bending the rules, most people are curious about cheating in blackjack. And if you are reading this, you are also wondering the same thing. Does it work? Should you try it? And most importantly, how do people get caught?
Let’s put these queries to rest with some interesting answers.
Blackjack Cheating Techniques
So, what do people rely on to beat the dealer and win?
Marking Cards
If you have been looking for ways to cheat in blackjack, you have come across this method. What does it entail? In the past, people would use dyes to mark special cards. But now, people scratch the cards during the gameplay. Others use dyes that can only be seen using special lenses or cameras. It allows them to monitor the cards as they play, giving them the edge over the other players. Then they can adjust their play accordingly.
Past Posting
Here’s another way people try to cheat in blackjack. They wait for the outcome then change their bet accordingly. For example, a player wagers two $25 chips worth on a game, bringing their wager to $50. They then realize that they have the upper hand in the game. So, as the dealer distributes the cards around the table, the player adds another $25 chip to their wager, making it $75. Thus, when the dealer loses the game, they will win based on the $75 wager rather than the original $50.
This strategy also works the other way around. If a player realizes they are doomed to lose, they can hide one $25 chip, making their wager a $25, thus only losing $25.
Corrupting a Dealer
The game of blackjack comes down to the player and the dealer. And it’s not surprising that some players would try to coerce dealers to sway the odds in their favor. It can work if the dealer wants another way to make extra cash or has other reasons that nudge them to make the deal.
Spying
Getting a dealer to work with you is not always easy. So, some players make do by partnering with other players who can spy on the dealer. If the dealer flashes their hold card too high for long, the spy can signal the player to adjust their bet. Of course, it requires a fast response from the spy and the dealer.
Card Counting
Do you know that you can beat the house edge by counting cards? That’s right! This technique requires you to assign values to cards such that each time a card is dealt, you can count the cards. You can then know which bet makes the most sense, given the current count. It takes a while to master but can get you quite far.
Do These Methods Work?
Yes and no. Most of these methods (save for card counting) rely on the premise that nobody will catch you in the act. But most casinos have heavily invested in ways to catch cheaters through:
- Having casino staff scattered all over the floor to watch the actions of the players. While the dealer might not notice your antics, the floor supervisor might.
- Using surveillance cameras with motion sensors so they can catch people adding or removing chips or cards from their stacks,
- Employing RFID tech in chips to monitor their motions, making it hard for cheats to get away with swift changes.
Let’s not forget that casinos also track wins and become suspicious of a player who consistently makes huge wins. So, you can only use these techniques a few times before the casino catches on to what you’re doing.
Is card counting the only way? It’s not the only way to cheat – but it’s the only one that falls into blackjack strategy rather than cheating. So, you are not employing antics, but instead, you are working the odds in your favor.
Please note that cheating in casino games (online or offline) is a crime in most regions. Thus, while we have outlined how people do so, do not consider this a recommendation. You can still win big by mastering winning strategies like many other pro blackjack players.
Have fun!
