How count checks are done, usually.....

This blog post is a reprint of one that I did about a year-and-a-half ago about count checks, and how they are usually done in a surveillance room. those of you who are new to my blog may not have read it yet, so enjoy

And now a few words about count checks.

Previously, I showed you some of the initial ways that surveillance will use to canalize your play at blackjack table.  Sometimes a lazy observer will just go with that, especially if you are being obvious. Like going from one hand at $25 to three at $500. They'll just call the pit boss or casino manager and let them know what "Captain Obvious" is up to on BJ 6.  You will then be asked to stop playing blackjack and try your luck at Keno or slots. Or Let it Ride.

However, if a player is not being that obvious, an observer will initiate a count check. This involves using a PTZ to get a bet shot so they can tell exactly how much you are betting each hand. Then they use a worksheet or scratch paper to monitor the count, your bet(s), Win/Loss/Push and the number of Aces that has been dealt out. It looks like this:

Explanation: (This is a single deck, hand held pitch game, with a table limit of $5 to $500. The observer should note this at the top of his scratch pad as well as the table number, date/time of the start of count check and players name, if known. There are four customers at the table so, depending on how the cards go, a dealer should get two or three hands, usually, out of a deck before shuffling.)

First row: T means "Top of Deck", 25 means a $25 bet, W means a win for the player and the 1 on the far right means one ace has been seen out of this deck.

Second row: The count is now minus 3, the player has dropped his bet to $10, he lost, and one more ace has come out of the deck, for a total of two.

Third row: The count is minus 1, players bet still at 10, player won, and no more aces seen, still 2.

Fourth row: Top of deck, Players bet is $25, he lost, and no aces observed.

Fifth row: The count is plus 3, player has spread his bet to 2 hands at $50 each, he won the first hand and lost the second, and 2 aces are now out.

Conclusion: In the above count check, it appears somewhat obvious that the player "seems" to be betting with the count. He has a base bet of $25, goes down to $10 when the count is negative, and up to two hands at $50 each on a plus 3 count with an "ace rich" deck. Obviously a determination cannot be made after only five hands, so more observation is necessary.  Different surveillance departments will have different criteria as far as minimum number of hands, as well as positive or negative indicators seen, before they feel comfortable making a determination one way or another. But this is basically how its done.

That's all for now. 

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