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.

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.

How Cheaters Manipulate Casino Chips

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.

This scam requires absolute, flawless timing, massive distraction, and the steady, lightning-fast hands of a professional close-up magician.

• 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

Historically, this involved utilizing invisible ink readable only with special contact lenses, or using a fingernail to create a tiny, microscopic dent in the cardboard.

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.

Dice Sliding at the Craps Table

However, highly skilled mechanics attempt a scam known as “dice sliding,” which completely removes the random tumble of the dice.

This mathematically alters the probability of hitting a 7, giving the cheater a massive, incredibly illegal advantage over the house.

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.