Surveillance has cameras everywhere but they cant watch everything live. When it comes to watcing card counters, most of the time surveillance will get initially notified by a pit supervisor, either about a player who is winning a lot, or one that is doing something overt, like varying his bet from, lets say, one hand at $25 to three hands at $500. Only then will someone start to do a count check on you.
To do a count check, an observer will use at least two, and probably three cameras. Each table has a fixed shot that shows the entire table and tray.Then they will use a PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) camera to zoom in on your bet shot. Finally, either a fixed overview of the pit, or another PTZ camera will be used to watch the entire table. This shot is used to identify all players, any indications of group play or signalling, possible collusion between the dealer and player, or between two players seated at different tables.
Some words about cameras: Most of these cameras are still analog and that means standard definition. The high limit tables will most likely be high definition and high resolution cameras. As the top of the line cameras begin to drop in price over the next few years, you will eventually see all cameras, both fixed and PTZ become high res. Even the standard definition cameras are damn good, but the high definition ones are spectacularly good. Even from a distance they can be used to zoom in on faces or bets with no loss of clarity or focus.
Ok, so once surveillance is looking at you, the first thing they should do is look at your general actions. Are you drinking beer, laughing, high fiving other players? Flirting with the cute cocktail waitress? Or are you stone faced, watching each and every card as it comes out of the shoe or gets exposed on the take and pay? Do you watch the shuffle like a hawk watches a mouse? Do you pay attention to where the pit boss is, especially when near your table or on the phone? Do you change your bet when he comes near the table? In other words, do you look like you are there to have a good time, or to seriously make money?
Then they will attempt to categorize your play the easy way. Are you flat betting? Or do you double your bet after a loss? Or a win? Do you ever sit out a hand, or leave the table often? Near the end of the deck, do you pull your bet back after the dealer begins to shuffle, and replace it with a lower amount for the top of a new deck?
They will also look at your adherence to basic strategy. Do you immediately (or automatically) take a hit when you have a 16 and the dealer has a ten for an up card? Do you take insurance? Do you split pairs at the right times and not split when basic says not to? In other words, are you playing on auto pilot, like your sitting at your computer playing a BJ simulator? Like you know basic strategy like the back of your hand? Or do you take a minute to think about your decision, maybe even ask the guy next to you what to do?
All of these things can be indicators or counter-indicators of "advantage play". The indicators can get you backed off a game rather quickly. The counter-indicators can buy you a little more time at the table, even if you are counting like a madman!
More on how surveillance watches you next time.....
Cheers! And Happy New Year, everyone!
To do a count check, an observer will use at least two, and probably three cameras. Each table has a fixed shot that shows the entire table and tray.Then they will use a PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) camera to zoom in on your bet shot. Finally, either a fixed overview of the pit, or another PTZ camera will be used to watch the entire table. This shot is used to identify all players, any indications of group play or signalling, possible collusion between the dealer and player, or between two players seated at different tables.
Some words about cameras: Most of these cameras are still analog and that means standard definition. The high limit tables will most likely be high definition and high resolution cameras. As the top of the line cameras begin to drop in price over the next few years, you will eventually see all cameras, both fixed and PTZ become high res. Even the standard definition cameras are damn good, but the high definition ones are spectacularly good. Even from a distance they can be used to zoom in on faces or bets with no loss of clarity or focus.
Ok, so once surveillance is looking at you, the first thing they should do is look at your general actions. Are you drinking beer, laughing, high fiving other players? Flirting with the cute cocktail waitress? Or are you stone faced, watching each and every card as it comes out of the shoe or gets exposed on the take and pay? Do you watch the shuffle like a hawk watches a mouse? Do you pay attention to where the pit boss is, especially when near your table or on the phone? Do you change your bet when he comes near the table? In other words, do you look like you are there to have a good time, or to seriously make money?
Then they will attempt to categorize your play the easy way. Are you flat betting? Or do you double your bet after a loss? Or a win? Do you ever sit out a hand, or leave the table often? Near the end of the deck, do you pull your bet back after the dealer begins to shuffle, and replace it with a lower amount for the top of a new deck?
They will also look at your adherence to basic strategy. Do you immediately (or automatically) take a hit when you have a 16 and the dealer has a ten for an up card? Do you take insurance? Do you split pairs at the right times and not split when basic says not to? In other words, are you playing on auto pilot, like your sitting at your computer playing a BJ simulator? Like you know basic strategy like the back of your hand? Or do you take a minute to think about your decision, maybe even ask the guy next to you what to do?
All of these things can be indicators or counter-indicators of "advantage play". The indicators can get you backed off a game rather quickly. The counter-indicators can buy you a little more time at the table, even if you are counting like a madman!
More on how surveillance watches you next time.....
Cheers! And Happy New Year, everyone!
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