Handling Advantage Players

Advantage Play

Definition: "The exploitation by a knowledgeable player of a weakness in the nature of the game, casino procedures and rules, employee training or apathetic supervision, in order to develop a short-term or long-term advantage."

(our thanks to Bill Zender, Advantage Play for the Casino Executive)

1. Skilled Players Part I: Advantage Players
2. Skilled Players Part II: Casino Policy
3. Skilled Players Part III: Role of Surveillance
4. Slots Advantage Play: Free Play Promotions

Advantage play is not illegal. It is in the nature of the games, or in the nature of the casino's training and supervision, that advantage play can work.

It is very important that Surveillance and Casino Management understand the rules for handling advantage players: those who are exploiting the nature of the games and the actions of the casino itself, including training levels and supervisory activity or lack of it, in order to make their living. Advantage players themselves are not violating the law, unless it can be demonstrated that casino personnel are, for whatever reason, violating the rules and procedures of the games and the casino.

Further information on the prevention, detection and handling of Advantage Play, including card counters, shuffle tracking teams, key card location, hole card play, can be found at the Topics page for the Advantage Player Series .

All of this material, in its entirety, is a part of the Casino Surveillance Operations Manual, available at the Bookstore.

Training presentations in preventing, detecting and handling of advantage players is an integral part of CSN Training Programs. contact jimgoding@casinosurveillancenews.com for more information on customized training packages, a permanent solution to the surveillance training situation.