Card counting in blackjack is quite controversial, so gamblers' attitude to it varies significantly. Most professional players find it entirely legal. They believe that card counting enables them to achieve the maximum results using knowledge and skills.
Most casino managers consider card counting a crime that deserves severe punishment.
Casinoz believes that gamblers should not break the rules of gambling clubs.
Yet, that's another pair of shoes if advantage gamblers use fraudulent tricks while playing blackjack. For example, it is undoubtedly illegal if they operate electronic devices to perform calculations or collude with dealers. This is a blatant scam and should be categorically prevented by all means.
One such case occurred in the USA several years ago.
Pai Gow John's Gang
The protagonist of this story is Phuong Quoc Truong. He is also known as Pai Gow John.
In 2011, security officers in a San Diego casino paid attention to his manner of playing blackjack. They watched video recordings and noticed that the guy was cheating.
It was visible how Phuong was smoking, sitting at the blackjack table, and whispering something into the microphone hidden in his sleeve. This confirmed that he did not work alone but together with his accomplices.
The case was transferred to the local branch of the Gambling Commission, which confirmed the fraud and arrested the card cheater.
What Did Pai Gow John's Gang Do?
The police got the criminal to clarify the scheme of his elaborate scam. It turned out that not only casino customers but also casino dealers were among his accomplices.
A previously trained dealer collected the cards in a certain order and did not shuffle the deck, only creating an illusion of shuffling and acting as realistically as possible. He even tried to imitate the sound of shuffling.
Then he dealt cards to the players, and after that, our smoker controlled the entire process. He knew what cards would come up next and made secret signals to the members of the gang:
- One finger on a cigarette pack meant the player must hit;
- Two fingers implied that the gambler must stand.
The fraudsters acted very professionally and well-orchestrated, deceiving the casino for a long time. The managers suspected something was going wrong when one of the gang members acted imprudently and hit a card in a disadvantageous situation.
Arrest and Investigation
On that fatal evening, the scammers were arrested while attempting to cash out twenty-five thousand dollars. Both gamblers and dealers involved in the fraud were arrested.
The investigation discovered that the gang had earned over $7,000,000 in twenty-five casinos located in several states.
The gang's agents found a dealer who was willing to cooperate and then specially trained him. A good selection of croupiers was the primary criterion of success, and the cheaters were caught red-handed due to the inept actions of the gang leader.
Over thirty members of the criminal rings were arrested and sentenced to either monetary penalties or jail terms. A Porsche car, a Rolex watch, two houses in the San Diego neighborhood, and other valuable goods were seized.
Casinos Vs. Cheaters
The casinos always attract people who try to cheat dealers, pit bosses, managers, and security officers. You may think they don't affect you since fraudsters mainly focus on gambling clubs, not their customers.
If a casino suspects all its customers of fraudulent activities, the quality of service will certainly change for the worse. Therefore, we should not admire the artfulness of cheaters because they negatively affect the entire gambling industry.
We also want to add that gambling at reliable online casinos prevents you from possibly encountering such characters. You can wager real money or gamble for fun in free mode at home or any other convenient place.
Have you ever faced card cheaters at casinos? We are looking forward to seeing stories about your personal experience. Share your impression of our article.