How to Spot Cheaters at the Casino
Since the very first casino opened its doors, an endless war has raged between the operators trying to protect their money and the criminals trying to steal it.
Cheating is no longer about complex card counting (which is technically legal); it is about physically manipulating the cards, the dice, or the chips after the outcome is known.
Past Posting: The Art of the Late Bet
The most common and arguably the most difficult-to-detect method of table game cheating is a sleight-of-hand maneuver known universally as «past posting.»
While the dealer’s eyes are momentarily distracted by the sudden commotion, the extra high-denomination chips are seamlessly slid onto the winning betting circle.
- The scam almost always involves a loud, intentional distraction created by an accomplice
- Cheaters also use «pinching,» which is removing chips from a bet after losing the hand
- If a player is constantly hovering their hands near their chips after the deal, pit bosses become highly suspicious
Card Marking and Edge Sorting
Cheaters attempt to destroy this mystery by physically marking the high-value cards (like Aces and Faces) so they can be identified from the back.
A more sophisticated, highly controversial method popularized by poker legend Phil Ivey is known as «edge sorting.»
The Mechanics of a Craps Scam
The craps table is extremely difficult to cheat due to the massive size of the table, the required wall-bounce, and the presence of four highly trained dealers.
By keeping the desired number facing upward during the entire slide, they only have to worry about the random outcome of the second tumbling die.
| Cheating Method | Target Game | How it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Past Posting | Roulette / Blackjack | Adding chips to a winning bet late |
| Edge Sorting | Baccarat | Exploiting asymmetrical card patterns |
Attempting to cheat a modern casino is an incredibly foolish endeavor that almost universally ends in severe felony charges and prison time.