Ask The Dealer

[nomasburros]

Some can, but it takes a lot of practice. I certainly can't

FWIW, almost every casino uses a cutting card which (among other things) makes it near impossible to deal from the bottom of the deck. You could still deal seconds from the top, in theory, though that still only puts one specific card (the top card in the deck) in one player's hand.

There's two reasons why it's unlikely the average dealer is doing any of this though.

One, as Nomas says, is that the dealer would likely be fired. Casinos have sophisticated surveillance systems, and they do look for stuff like that.

And two, speaking for myself if not all other dealers, I don't actually care what cards you get. I'm getting paid the same either way, so the incentive for me to stack the deck (assuming I even could) is pretty much zero.

I think what you're really looking for is a card magician, not a poker dealer

i totallt agree..i could give a hoot what cards you have...im not there to play really ...only to observe and keep the game fluid...

 

[nomasburros]

Which game do you prefer, the online game or the live one? From your point of view, I want to know which game do you enjoy playing.

Myself i have to lean towards the live game...i feel the randomness of online poker is way crazy....like i said in another thread.. i really dont trust the rng...im not a rigtard..i have a friend who is a math professor..iq is like 150 i bet..and he says that algorythyms tend to have a repetitive nature...im not sure what that really means when it relates to the rng...but im sure ..since i have read that most rng are algorythyms... that you can pick up on some discrepencies somewhere....i wish i had saved all my hands until this point for analysis ..i am new to that aspect as well...


I just feel the aspect of the live games offers you as a player a little better op to actually make plays dependent upon reads ....or table image..or just plain messing with people's mentality...

 

[Stu_Ungar]

This one is more a conspiracy theory, but can a dealer deal specific cards to someone?

Its like most things.. anything is possible!!

Sure a guy who has studied card manipulation for long enough probably could.. its not impossible.

But if he did then he would also have to be a part of a betting scam.. he will need someone there to profit from it.

If he gets caught he is in a lot of trouble.. the casino will probably be looking out for this too.. its not good PR for them to have a dealer accused of rigging a deck so its something they would be looking for too.

The other thing with card rigging is that its reletively easy to look out for.. I have a friend in the magic circle and he can explain most card tricks just by looking at the way the guy holds the cards.. its something most people dont know about but honestly if a magician sat down at the table its one of the things he would be looking out for.

So yeah its probably possible but the dealer would likely get caught quickly too

 

[nomasburros]

Its like most things.. anything is possible!!

Sure a guy who has studied card manipulation for long enough probably could.. its not impossible.

But if he did then he would also have to be a part of a betting scam.. he will need someone there to profit from it.

If he gets caught he is in a lot of trouble.. the casino will probably be looking out for this too.. its not good PR for them to have a dealer accused of rigging a deck so its something they would be looking for too.

The other thing with card rigging is that its reletively easy to look out for.. I have a friend in the magic circle and he can explain most card tricks just by looking at the way the guy holds the cards.. its something most people dont know about but honestly if a magician sat down at the table its one of the things he would be looking out for.

So yeah its probably possible but the dealer would likely get caught quickly too

ONE very compelling reason to not do this where i live is ....my lisc comes from the dept of justice...it would also be considered a FEDERAL crime to get caught doing so ...idk about you...but my butt is an exit only lol.

 

[nomasburros]

1. actually i find the opposite to be true..it seems to me like online players are able to trap easier...i dont know if it is from the stealth you gain from donk killing or what..

2. imo this all depends on their skill level...but you women are very deceptive to read sometimes period....but i am a guy what do i know about women besides they are soft, sensitive, sweet smelling creatures, with alluring eyes...and seem to want to smack me all the time.... lol

3. its hard for me to elaborate on this one as i only deal a 3/6 or no limit game..sorry

4. i feel later at night is prob better if your trying to maximize your profits...it seems like there is always one drunken atm just waitng to give you his chips.....

 

[Nexus6]

btw...this usually pisses off other players when ppl get in pissin matches and wont let go.


ahhh yess ,, the gift of gab

 

[OzExorcist]

The other thing with card rigging is that its reletively easy to look out for.. I have a friend in the magic circle and he can explain most card tricks just by looking at the way the guy holds the cards.. its something most people dont know about but honestly if a magician sat down at the table its one of the things he would be looking out for.

Very useful skill to have. Though I suspect this is a lot more important in home games than it is in casinos, where standard procedures have been developed that negate most of the common card rigging procedures.

Like I mentioned above, the use of cutting cards makes it difficult if not impossible for the dealer to either peek at the bottom card or deal from the bottom of the deck.

The dealer should be cutting the deck onto the cutting card only using one hand (it's how I was taught, though I never really thought about why until now) as well, which makes false cuts a lot less likely. A false cut is often required to either 'sell' or complete a false shuffle.

I'd be a lot more worried about other players colluding against you than I would about a dealer rigging the deck on you. Especially since collusion between players is 1: easier to set up and 2: probably more profitable too.

 

[nomasburros]

Very useful skill to have. Though I suspect this is a lot more important in home games than it is in casinos, where standard procedures have been developed that negate most of the common card rigging procedures.

Like I mentioned above, the use of cutting cards makes it difficult if not impossible for the dealer to either peek at the bottom card or deal from the bottom of the deck.

The dealer should be cutting the deck onto the cutting card only using one hand (it's how I was taught, though I never really thought about why until now) as well, which makes false cuts a lot less likely. A false cut is often required to either 'sell' or complete a false shuffle.

I'd be a lot more worried about other players colluding against you than I would about a dealer rigging the deck on you. Especially since collusion between players is 1: easier to set up and 2: probably more profitable too.

as a teenager i had a friend who worked in a magic shop....let me tell you right now that it would be easy for them to use a false deck...to the plain eye you would never pick it off...but if you know something about magic decks and the way they are "used" one would be able to notice how the dealer places cards into the deck...like one magic deck ..and i use the term very lightly..is tapered..so if you put a card in 180 degrees to the deck it sticks out ever so slightly allowing the "magician" to automatically pull it out every time....


This kind of gets negated by the scramble and multiple shuffles..a couple of boxes...another shuffle...and a cut.....


we too are only allowed to cut with one hand...we first place the cover card down on the table...cut the deck and set it directly on top..and place the rest of the deck on it...seems to me its the standard throughout...

 

[Divebitch]

but seriously....it up to you...cant tip in a tny till the end....and then i guess its all up to you...nobody can force you to tip...but my kids sure appr it...

So, is it a matter of seniority, favoritism, luck of the draw regarding what tables you get to deal?

Sounds like smallish $40 - 50 entry(?) tourneys would be the worst, with most people not tipping if they didn't cash. Even the top cashers might see a $20 tip as plenty, but would have tipped more overall if they'd tipped as many winning hands as it took to finish.

And most certainly the $10/$20 cash tables have got to be a ton more profitable that the $1/$2. Even on a flat percentage basis, the higher stakes are typically generous 'big spender' types, no? So I'd think more like 15 - 20:1 (vs 10:1).

My ex-, who used to play a lot in Atlantic City, would often leave his chips at the table (so he wouldn't lose his spot), and go out for a smoke and call me for almost an hour. Now I know AC is right up there w/Vegas, and security is probably unsurpassed. And he never had an issue. But have you ever witnessed or heard of a 'sitout's' chips being compromised, stolen, whatever?

Where have you/did you work? BTW, I've been to Bozeman a couple times. They had the poker slots in the bars & restaurants. Long time ago, maybe 14 yrs ago. But you had to cash out with the bartender.

Lastly, it was fun being with you at the final table today. Congrats on your 2nd place finish! I had a pair of 7s to your 10s (was barely beneath you in chips) that send me to the rail. Great game!

 

[nomasburros]

So, is it a matter of seniority, favoritism, luck of the draw regarding what tables you get to deal?

Sounds like smallish $40 - 50 entry(?) tourneys would be the worst, with most people not tipping if they didn't cash. Even the top cashers might see a $20 tip as plenty, but would have tipped more overall if they'd tipped as many winning hands as it took to finish.

And most certainly the $10/$20 cash tables have got to be a ton more profitable that the $1/$2. Even on a flat percentage basis, the higher stakes are typically generous 'big spender' types, no? So I'd think more like 15 - 20:1 (vs 10:1).

My ex-, who used to play a lot in Atlantic City, would often leave his chips at the table (so he wouldn't lose his spot), and go out for a smoke and call me for almost an hour. Now I know AC is right up there w/Vegas, and security is probably unsurpassed. And he never had an issue. But have you ever witnessed or heard of a 'sitout's' chips being compromised, stolen, whatever?

Where have you/did you work? BTW, I've been to Bozeman a couple times. They had the poker slots in the bars & restaurants. Long time ago, maybe 14 yrs ago. But you had to cash out with the bartender.

Lastly, it was fun being with you at the final table today. Congrats on your 2nd place finish! I had a pair of 7s to your 10s (was barely beneath you in chips) that send me to the rail. Great game!

sorry for railing you ..but i couldnt resist .....
To answer your question i have dealt in several casinos...but not in bozeman...and video gaming is very popular in montucky...i think it has to do with the meth problem..its easier to push a button then have to analyze eveyr nuance at a live table.tweek freaks have seriuos ADD..i say this because i have witnessed it a lot lol...

 

[Divebitch]

Okay, but you didn't answer my question. Probably my fault, I'm too damn wordy. Soooo...

1) So, is it a matter of seniority, favoritism, luck of the draw regarding what tables you get to deal?

Most certainly the $10/$20 cash tables have got to be a ton more profitable for a dealer that the $1/$2. Sounds like smallish tourneys would be the worst.

2) Have you (or how often) ever caught or heard of a 'sitout's' chips being compromised, stolen, whatever? If so, what do they do to the thief?

My ex-, who used to play a lot in Atlantic City, would often leave his chips at the table (so he wouldn't lose his spot) for an hour. AC is probably right up there w/Vegas in terms of security and surveillance. And he never had an issue. But just wondered if it happens elsewhere or is a problem everywhere.

 

[Stu_Ungar]

Okay, but you didn't answer my question. Probably my fault, I'm too damn wordy. Soooo...

1) So, is it a matter of seniority, favoritism, luck of the draw regarding what tables you get to deal?

Most certainly the $10/$20 cash tables have got to be a ton more profitable for a dealer that the $1/$2. Sounds like smallish tourneys would be the worst.

2) Have you (or how often) ever caught or heard of a 'sitout's' chips being compromised, stolen, whatever? If so, what do they do to the thief?

My ex-, who used to play a lot in Atlantic City, would often leave his chips at the table (so he wouldn't lose his spot) for an hour. AC is probably right up there w/Vegas in terms of security and surveillance. And he never had an issue. But just wondered if it happens elsewhere or is a problem everywhere.

I'm not a dealer but if its anything like most things in life.

1.) The more senior you are the more freedom you will have to choose the tables you deal at.

2.) The casinos would take a dim view of thieves and keep a general eye out for them because its in their interests to have the casino running smoothly... that said they wont actually accept any responsibility for chips left unattended.. or even attended.

If they catch thieves then it just shows what good surveillance they are running on your behalf.. if they don't catch them, they were your chips and you should have taken better care of them!!!

 

[Janon]

ive seen and hear alot of dealers going pro are you gonna join them?

 

[nomasburros]

ive seen and hear alot of dealers going pro are you gonna join them?

crazy thing is there are a lot of dealers who go pro..one for instance that used to work in montana is layne flak.....

 

[nomasburros]

Dive to answer a tad more elaboratley...

People leave their chips all the time...its my job to watch them as best as i can..however you as a player are supposed to protect you chips as well as you cards at all time...

In vegas or any other casino i highly recommend not trying to scam what so ever..the eye in the sky will get you for sure..

The one and only time i have ever seen this,,the player was cashed out and arrested for theft...the cops were called before cashing him btw...

As for the seniority thing..we all share the resposibilities in my casino...since the limit is the same on all tables..the only way to out tip you fellow dealer is to move more hands/hr....

 

[nomasburros]

fresh back from vegas i bring a few new perspectives of poker......


i call the first one lucky as hell...because thats what i was....i got into a house tny for $40 and was getting beat up really bad...i had three hundred chips to everyone else's thousands...blinds started at 100/200 so i was hurting for sure....

i made one hell of a run of all ins...mainly pps or a10s or better...i managed to parlait it into a second place win for $413...boy was i happy..

My only prob with that was villian refused the chop(we both would have made $600)..and first hand hu...he shoves me ai with k3 os and rivered his k to beat my pocket 10s....if he loses he is all in blind...what kind of play is that????..

after that i managed a fouth place in the same tny next day to profit another 120....

i took my winnings to the live table...1/2 nl......in which i managed to make an average of $100 every time i sat at a table...

i also was lucky enough to hit a jackpot spin by getting aces full ( aa in hand) ...and spun the wheel to make another 150....

i managed to come away with a profit this time..unlike the two previous times being there....

i have to thank cc for a superior insight into the game of poker...you fellow members have helped me to develop one hell of a game...granted i have a lot of time in the dealers chair...but i have taken away a plethora of incredibly useful knowledge from members here at cc..but i thank you all for being such a great community.. and a very useful learning tool...if i could tip you instead of the dealers i would lol..

 

[Jillychemung]

Congrats and thanks for the trip report.

 

[SuperDonk]

here is our shuffle

shuffle twice box three shuffle let em fly.......


and yes i get neck back and wrist pain...but i gain a lot of useful knowledge.....

We use riffle-riffle-strip-riffle-cut. Our local casino does the same on tournament tables, and they've got shuffle machines on the cash game tables so they just pick the deck up out of the machine, cut and go on those.

What does 'wash', 'box', 'riffle', 'strip' mean (I'm guessing 'shuffle' is the standard split-the-deck-and-try-to-alternate-cards-from-each-half-with-your-thumb type of shuffle)?

How does one tip in a tourney? Especially if it's a multi-table tourney? You can't tip just the dealers who dealt to you. You can't tip until it's all over. Do you tell the house to take some percentage of your winnings and split it among all the dealers? How does the house split it? Do they pro-rate it by the number of hours each dealer works?

How much do you tip at a tournament? How much do you tip at a cash game?

....

i have to thank cc for a superior insight into the game of poker...you fellow members have helped me to develop one hell of a game...granted i have a lot of time in the dealers chair...but i have taken away a plethora of incredibly useful knowledge from members here at cc..but i thank you all for being such a great community.. and a very useful learning tool...if i could tip you instead of the dealers i would lol..[/quote]

Your welcome (do we get to share in the winnings? ).

 

[chuG]

If i give exceptional footsie does that increase my chance of a monster hand?

 

[OzExorcist]

What does 'wash', 'box', 'riffle', 'strip' mean (I'm guessing 'shuffle' is the standard split-the-deck-and-try-to-alternate-cards-from-each-half-with-your-thumb type of shuffle)?

A wash is when you spread the deck across the table and mix it up with both hands, just like a little kid.

When a new deck arrives on the table it's usually in sequence to make it easy for the dealer to check that all the cards are present and correct. You normally wash the deck after that to randomise it. You'll see them do it every time there's a deck change on Live at the Bike, for example.

Riffling is what you've described as a shuffle - you split the deck in two then run your thumbs up the outside of the two packets to interlever them.

Boxing (AFAIK - not a term we really use where I work) should be what comes after that, where you gather the deck back into one neat packet.

Stripping is basically just cutting the deck multiple times - you take a packet of cards off the top of the deck and put them on the table, take another packet off the top and put them on top of the previous packet, and so on. I'd normally do three packets, then place whatever's remaining in my hand on top and continue.

And cutting is usually the final step in a professional shuffule, where you put the deck on the table then using one hand you take half the deck and place it on top of the cut card, then place the other half on top and deal.

As for tipping, it's not allowed in casinos here but I believe there are two basic systems in the US. In one, the tip is built into the entry fee for the tournament - the structure sheet should have said something about it, or you can check with the tournament director. In the other system, you basically just name an amount and the casino splits it among the staff based on whatever system they use.

 

[nomasburros]

is a tip not a gratuity.....isnt it up to your own discretion as to what and who you tip?????????

 

[nomasburros]

If i give exceptional footsie does that increase my chance of a monster hand?

in my case (since i am a flaming heterosexual)..it might get a disgruntled dealer that passes the aces to your left lol

 

[OzExorcist]

is a tip not a gratuity.....isnt it up to your own discretion as to what and who you tip?????????

A tip is a gratuity is a tip here - it's illegal for casino staff to receive them and they'll be fired on the spot for accepting one. That simple.