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.
The casino's "Eye in the Sky" catches most of them eventually, but recognizing the signs of a scam unfolding right next to you is a fascinating skill.
Past Posting: The Art of the Late Bet
Past posting occurs when a cheater incredibly quickly and silently adds additional chips to their winning bet exactly a split second after the winning outcome is determined.
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 accompliceCheaters also use "pinching," which is removing chips from a bet after losing the handIf a player is constantly hovering their hands near their chips after the deal, pit bosses become highly suspicious
Card Marking and Edge Sorting
In card games like Blackjack and Baccarat, the entire house edge relies entirely on the fact that the next card in the shoe is a complete mystery.
By convincing the dealer to rotate specific high-value cards 180 degrees, the player can easily identify them before they are dealt, completely destroying the house edge.
The Mechanics of a Craps Scam
However, highly skilled mechanics attempt a scam known as "dice sliding," which completely removes the random tumble of the dice.
To combat this, casinos mandate that both dice must physically bounce off the chaotic, rubber pyramid "alligator" siding at the far end of the table.
Cheater ActionDealer Counter-MeasurePinching (Stealing back a lost bet)Clearing losing bets before paying winnersMarking Cards with fingernailsReplacing the entire shoe of cards frequently
If you suspect a player at your table is manipulating the game, simply walk away and let the eye in the sky do its job.
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How to Spot Cheaters at the Casino
Janis Charleston edited this page 2026-08-04 09:39:52 +02:00