Card Counter Detection
Website Note: the book from which this article was borrowed was out of print. We received Mr. Zender’s permission to publish this article and use it in our training presentations. Mr. Zender has continued in his own role as a casino consultant at the executive level, and his more recent articles and analyses can be viewed at this website: www.worldgameprotection.com
Shortcuts to Discovering Card Counting
By Bill Zender
Since most floor Supervisors have very little time to attempt to count down a deck, it would be advantageous for a supervisor to learn shortcuts in identifying possible counters.
There are three indicators that distinguish the counter from the average player:
- The counter must use a betting spread.
- The counter must deviate from Basic Strategy, especially when the count is in the high plus range.
- The counter will only take insurance when the deck is rich, with a high plus count.
The supervisor, knowing the three indicators noted above, can and should be able to notice if a player has spread to a higher wager. By observing the bet fluctuation, the supervisor can now assume that if the patron is counting, the player will make plays common to a high plus count.
Common Plays with a High Bet Wagered
Aggressive double-downs and splits:
- 11 vs. Ace
- 9 vs. 2
- 10 vs. 10
- 10/10 vs. 5
- 10/10 vs. 6
Standing during possible bust situations:
- 16 vs. 10
- 15 vs. 10
- 16 vs. 9
- 12 vs. 3
- 12 vs. 2
- Taking insurance with any hand
Common Plays with a Small Bet Wagered
Passive double-downs (hitting instead of doubling)
- 11 vs. 10
- 9 vs. 3
- 10 vs. 9
Hitting during bust situations
- 16 vs. 10
- 15 vs. 10
- 16 vs. 9
- 12 vs. 4
- 12 vs. 6
- Never taking insurance
Surrender
Basic Strategy: The following circumstance dictate a surrender:
- 16 vs. dealer Ace
- 14 vs. dealer 10
- 15 vs. dealer 10
- 16 vs. dealer 10
Basic Strategy Multiple Deck: the following circumstances dictate a surrender:
- 14 vs. dealer Ace @ +3 or greater
- 15 vs. dealer Ace @ +1 or greater
- 16 vs. dealer Ace
- 13 vs. dealer 10 @+3 or greater
- 14 vs. dealer 10 @+3 or greater
- 15 vs. dealer 10
- 16 vs. dealer 10 @ +3 or greater
- 7/7 vs. dealer 10 @ +2 or greater
- 15 vs. dealer 9 @ +2 or greater
- 16 vs. dealer 9
Although most of the decisions made when wagering are simply basic strategy plays, the floorperson should be looking for a pattern in the changes of a player’s strategy. These changes are a big warning sign, for the average player will be consistent in their betting and decision patterns.
Once a player is suspected as a possible card counter, the information should be passed on to a supervisor and the Surveillance department. Surveillance can then count down the decks questioned and ascertain if the player is actually counting without taking up any additional time away from the floorperson.
Now that the information has been turned over through the proper channels, you want to make sure that you do not tag someone as being a card counter if the shoe does not fit.
Card counting is not cheating. Backing players off of a game by suspicion only will mostly likely cost the property tons of money in the long run. Just because someone can count does not says that the player is going to beat the house. There are a lot of bad counters out there who do not use the Basic Strategy variations, or are not skilled with them.
If you receive confirmation that the player or players are in fact card counters, you must report this to your immediate supervisor. Be prepared to report the following:
- Bet spread used
- How the player has raised or lowered his bet to the count
- Explain different playing strategies observed in relation to the count
- Ascertain if the player has an advantage over the house and estimated win over an hour period of play.
