Malaru
Malaru
  • Threads: 79
  • Posts: 274
Joined: Mar 22, 2010
April 6th, 2010 at 8:40:37 PM permalink
Is it just me or does the sound of offering "live blackjack" on online casions just BEG for card counting?? I know some online casinos offer it and Ive seen feeds of the live dealers using shoes.

ANyone got any information about how possible this is??
"Although men flatter themselves with their great actions, they are not so often the result of a great design as of chance." - Francois De La Rochefoucauld
FootofGod
FootofGod
  • Threads: 8
  • Posts: 66
Joined: Feb 27, 2010
April 6th, 2010 at 8:45:39 PM permalink
I would ASSUME, being in the business of making money and having the assets to do so, they have thought this through once or twice. I'm sure they will boot you for counting cards, just like anywhere else, if they catch you, which seems like it would be ridiculously easier in an online environment.
shortow
shortow
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 8
Joined: Nov 7, 2010
November 7th, 2010 at 1:58:47 PM permalink
Quote: Malaru

Is it just me or does the sound of offering "live blackjack" on online casions just BEG for card counting?? I know some online casinos offer it and Ive seen feeds of the live dealers using shoes.

ANyone got any information about how possible this is??



You can count all you want but it won't be too effective. Most platforms deal from an 8 deck shoe with re-shuffles after around 4 decks. Unless you know a counting strategy that works with that sort of shallow penetration its a waste of time.

hope that helps
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 7th, 2010 at 4:40:10 PM permalink
At 5dimes they have a 6-deck shoe and penetration is at 75%. I haven't played it, but these would be ripe rules for counting, considering you could use a computer and they probably don't watch for counters.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
mkl654321
mkl654321
  • Threads: 65
  • Posts: 3412
Joined: Aug 8, 2010
November 7th, 2010 at 4:48:45 PM permalink
Quote: FootofGod

I would ASSUME, being in the business of making money and having the assets to do so, they have thought this through once or twice. I'm sure they will boot you for counting cards, just like anywhere else, if they catch you, which seems like it would be ridiculously easier in an online environment.



Why would they bother to boot you? They would just alter the outcomes of all your double downs. If the dealer had a hard 17, you get a 3 on your 11. For variety, you get a face card on your hard 10 double down, but the dealer makes a five-card 21. Decrease the number of blackjacks dealt to you from 1 in 21 to 1 in 23. All simple, smooth, subtle, and COMPLETELY undetectable. Our counter hero would dump his entire bankroll before he even SUSPECTED what had hit him (i.e., he wouldn't be able to tell the difference between being cheated and variance).

In fact, I think I just had a great moneymaking idea. Single deck! 3:2! Double on any two! Split and resplit! Come to mkl's virtual casino and win win win win win! (And since we're based on Sand Crab Island, where the only law is that administered by The Big Mango, it's not like if you figured out that I'm cheating you, you'd be able to do anything about it.)
The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.---George Bernard Shaw
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 7th, 2010 at 6:32:13 PM permalink
I decided to play a little live blackjack at 5dimes in the interests of researching this topic. Here are the full rules:

6 decks.
Cut card placed that the 75% point.
One burn card at the beginning of the shoe, and one with every dealer change, which occur every 30 minutes.
Dealer stands on soft 17.
Double after split allowed.
Surrender allowed (I assume late).
Resplitting aces not allowed.
No hole card, but player loses original bet only to dealer blackjack.
Bet ranges: $5-$250, $10-$250, or $25-$500

I bit off topic, but the other players were extremly rude, to each other, the dealer, and the supervisor. Here is an exchange after I doubled a soft 18 against a 5. I (karmanghia) won and TC347 lost.

TC347: yes faggot
TC347: 10 plz
TC347: 10 plz
karmanghia: You guys should be gentlemen then.
TC347: :(
TC347: gonnerhia
TC347: plz leave
TC347: who doubles on an 18
TC347: u fucking cocksucker
TC347: u took her 10 and she didn't bust
TC347: you dumb mother fucker
karmanghia: As long as I win.
** bonada has left the chat **
TC347: leave cocksucker
TC347: fag
TC347: fucking retard
TC347: leave u dumb bitch
TC347: $5 faggot ass bet
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
shortow
shortow
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 8
Joined: Nov 7, 2010
November 7th, 2010 at 6:37:20 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

At 5dimes they have a 6-deck shoe and penetration is at 75%. I haven't played it, but these would be ripe rules for counting, considering you could use a computer and they probably don't watch for counters.



I'd be very surprised if actual insertion was 75% in. They do say approximately and I would bet that in practice it's extremely approximate...like closer to 50%.

I'll record a deal and see where the cut card come out...stay tuned
mkl654321
mkl654321
  • Threads: 65
  • Posts: 3412
Joined: Aug 8, 2010
November 7th, 2010 at 6:38:16 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I decided to play a little live blackjack at 5dimes in the interests of researching this topic. Here are the full rules:
TC347: leave cocksucker
TC347: fag
TC347: fucking retard
TC347: leave u dumb bitch
TC347: $5 faggot ass bet



Was JerryLogan one of the players, perchance?
The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.---George Bernard Shaw
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 7th, 2010 at 6:47:17 PM permalink
Quote: shortow

I'd be very surprised if actual insertion was 75% in. They do say approximately and I would bet that in practice it's extremely approximate...like closer to 50%.

I'll record a deal and see where the cut card come out...stay tuned



I shall stay tuned. However, I sat through two or three shuffles, and it looked like about 75% to me. I suppose one could actually count the number of cards, but these games go very slowly.

Quote: mkl654321

Was JerryLogan one of the players, perchance?



I don't think so. Jerry at least has a better vocabulary.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5527
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
November 7th, 2010 at 7:48:48 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

*expletive conversation*

Sounds like my local casino!
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
shortow
shortow
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 8
Joined: Nov 7, 2010
November 7th, 2010 at 9:13:06 PM permalink
OK so here's a couple of recordings showing the last deal and then insertion for the new deal.

youtube.com/watch?v=kfkpj4ksLbM
youtube.com/watch?v=5ExWMoStmHk

Best gauge is probably comparing the shoe stacks sitting right of the dealer...full (blue) v just dealt (red) rather than the insertion for the next deal which is a bit hard to see.

Looks to me closer to 66% than 75% - but definitely well into the back half of the shoe which is interesting.

anyway see what you think
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 7th, 2010 at 9:36:31 PM permalink
Did you just make those? If so, great work, thank you.

I'd say it looked around 60%. I think the best way to tell is comparing the discard pile to the full stack next to it.

Somebody should give the blonde dealer in the second video a hair dryer.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
shortow
shortow
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 8
Joined: Nov 7, 2010
November 7th, 2010 at 10:30:14 PM permalink
what, you don't like the wet look?

and yes, had a poke around 5dimes and did those recordings. Was very surprised when you posted their stated insertion policy and interested to see how well they stick to it....not that 2 deals is a great sample.
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 7th, 2010 at 10:57:40 PM permalink
Okay, I just went back and counted cards with my clicker through a whole shoe. I counted 212 before the shuffle, for a 68% penetration. There was one burn card, so 211 cards seen.

I had the same wet hair dealer (Maria) you had, by the way. Her hair was probably just oily, making it look wet.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
lucky13
lucky13
  • Threads: 8
  • Posts: 70
Joined: Nov 1, 2009
November 11th, 2010 at 11:41:18 AM permalink
In the videos posted I didn't see any shuffling, just switching between the blue and red decks. Did they shuffle at all? If not, this could be ripe for card tracking as well as counting. Interesting. Has anyone played here for real money? Any reputation?
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 11th, 2010 at 11:45:30 AM permalink
I went back, by the way, and counted another deck. Again 211 cards seen. Had a very lovely dealer.

After swapping the decks in the shoe, the dealer will shuffle the cards just dealt.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
lucky13
lucky13
  • Threads: 8
  • Posts: 70
Joined: Nov 1, 2009
November 11th, 2010 at 1:19:19 PM permalink
My concern would be if they would "hold" your money if you were considered a counter at these online live sites.

It is one thing to be backed off, take your chips to the cashier, and leave a casino. I'd be fearful that they could ban you from playing, and keep your deposit.

The 20x spread (25-500) is very nice though. If you could play multiple hands it would be even better?
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 11th, 2010 at 2:36:52 PM permalink
I don't think they would. From what I read on other forums, 5dimes is a decent place.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
shortow
shortow
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 8
Joined: Nov 7, 2010
November 11th, 2010 at 5:21:12 PM permalink
Both 5dimes and Global Gaming Labs who run their live deal platform are Costa Rican based which as most would know is the online gambling equivalent of the Wild Wild West. You don't have a lot of recourse in the event of a dispute.

I do think however that any operator in this niche (live dealers) who is open to US players stands a lot more to gain from building a good reputation and servicing players well. In the long run they're getting a house edge so it becomes a volume game and cheating players will lead to a quick death.

Having said that, i'd be far more comfortable with 10k sitting in a Ladbrokes account than 5dimes!
dm
dm
  • Threads: 14
  • Posts: 699
Joined: Apr 29, 2010
November 12th, 2010 at 9:45:50 AM permalink
Quote: mkl654321

Why would they bother to boot you? They would just alter the outcomes of all your double downs. If the dealer had a hard 17, you get a 3 on your 11. For variety, you get a face card on your hard 10 double down, but the dealer makes a five-card 21. Decrease the number of blackjacks dealt to you from 1 in 21 to 1 in 23. All simple, smooth, subtle, and COMPLETELY undetectable. Our counter hero would dump his entire bankroll before he even SUSPECTED what had hit him (i.e., he wouldn't be able to tell the difference between being cheated and variance).

In fact, I think I just had a great moneymaking idea. Single deck! 3:2! Double on any two! Split and resplit! Come to mkl's virtual casino and win win win win win! (And since we're based on Sand Crab Island, where the only law is that administered by The Big Mango, it's not like if you figured out that I'm cheating you, you'd be able to do anything about it.)




This post is BRILLIANT! I take back any former shots I have taken at you. In truth, I'm jealous that I didn't write it.
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 12th, 2010 at 12:22:09 PM permalink
Quote: dm

This post is BRILLIANT! I take back any former shots I have taken at you. In truth, I'm jealous that I didn't write it.



MKL has had a lot of outstanding posts, but that was not one of them. I'm not sure he realized the thread is about LIVE online blackjack. The cards are dealt from a shoe and are about the size of a DVD case. It would be pretty card to cheat in such a game. Even if they tried, the players could easily record it and play it back for signs of cheating. Any slip up in an attempt to cheat and it would be all over YouTube.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
mkl654321
mkl654321
  • Threads: 65
  • Posts: 3412
Joined: Aug 8, 2010
November 12th, 2010 at 2:01:50 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

MKL has had a lot of outstanding posts, but that was not one of them. I'm not sure he realized the thread is about LIVE online blackjack. The cards are dealt from a shoe and are about the size of a DVD case. It would be pretty card to cheat in such a game. Even if they tried, the players could easily record it and play it back for signs of cheating. Any slip up in an attempt to cheat and it would be all over YouTube.



I probably WAS confused, as "live online gambling" seems like an utter oxymoron to me. How the heck would that work?
The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.---George Bernard Shaw
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 12th, 2010 at 2:29:34 PM permalink
Quote: mkl654321

How the heck would that work?



Somebody posted a couple videos of dealers shuffling earlier. You just click a table, then click your bets, and the dealer knows to deal you cards. The video is live, so you can see what is going on. The cards are also scanned as they are played, so your bets are automatically scored. The dealer can read what you type in a chat window, and you can hear what she says, but the quality of the audio is not good, so it can be hard having a conversation.

With the huge cards and a lag between you clicking what to do, and the dealer seeing it, the pace of the game is very slow. However, I kind of like it. Most of the dealers are quite pretty.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
rJz
rJz
  • Threads: 3
  • Posts: 11
Joined: Jul 21, 2010
November 15th, 2010 at 8:41:45 AM permalink
I use 5dimes sports book so I decided to check out the live BJ over the weekend. Interesting concept, but I saw something that looke d a little odd. The dealer dealt the players first card, her down card, then the players second card. The players then played their hands. Then the dealer proceed to play hers. She didn't take her second card until after all the player hands had been played. I noticed this at all three tables i checked out. I'm not sure if this in anyway effects the outcome of the game, but it just seemed odd to me.
dm
dm
  • Threads: 14
  • Posts: 699
Joined: Apr 29, 2010
November 15th, 2010 at 9:06:27 AM permalink
If they removed 1 ace from the deck how would you know?
mkl654321
mkl654321
  • Threads: 65
  • Posts: 3412
Joined: Aug 8, 2010
November 15th, 2010 at 9:16:16 AM permalink
Quote: rJz

I use 5dimes sports book so I decided to check out the live BJ over the weekend. Interesting concept, but I saw something that looke d a little odd. The dealer dealt the players first card, her down card, then the players second card. The players then played their hands. Then the dealer proceed to play hers. She didn't take her second card until after all the player hands had been played. I noticed this at all three tables i checked out. I'm not sure if this in anyway effects the outcome of the game, but it just seemed odd to me.



That's the way they deal BJ at many places in Europe. Supposedly it keeps the dealer from accidentally exposing his hole card before the players play out their hands. It's an innocuous rule if, when the player doubles or splits against what turns out to be a blackjack, he only loses his original bet. It's an evil rule (akin to cheating IMHO) if ALL bets, even double downs and splits, are lost if the dealer turns out to get a blackjack. That also forces the player to be EXTREMELY conservative against an Ace or ten showing.
The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.---George Bernard Shaw
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 15th, 2010 at 9:45:36 AM permalink
Quote: dm

If they removed 1 ace from the deck how would you know?



It would take a long time, but a player could track the frequency of each card seen. With a large enough sample size, a strong case could be made for the missing ace. Also, they replace the cards every 12 hours, and the dealer fans then out just like in a regular casino.

Regarding the hole card rule, the player only loses his original bet against a dealer blackjack. So the odds are the same as with the same rules in a hole card game.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Jufo81
Jufo81
  • Threads: 6
  • Posts: 344
Joined: May 23, 2010
November 17th, 2010 at 10:11:51 AM permalink
As for the real-time Blackjack card counting software, there is this free app which seems to work pretty well:

http://www.bewersdorff-online.de/black-jack/

It tracks the house edge and also informs possible deviations from basic strategy as well.

I had a go with it at a widely used Live blackjack software. The rules are unfavourable though: 8 decks, cut card at 50% penetration, no DAS, split once, peek on ace, no peek on ten, no burn cards. After several hours of observing tables was able to locate 1% player edge and hit a 1000€ bet on the table, but unfortunately I lost. I don't think that 1% edge is enough to compensate for the large variance of losing a large bet so IMO it is not worth it with these rules. 5Dimes BJ looks very promising though.
MATT1983
MATT1983
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 3
Joined: Nov 24, 2010
November 24th, 2010 at 12:43:27 AM permalink
Here are a couple conversations I had with the casino. The first is with 5dimes, the 2nd was at the live table.

Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Daniel'
Daniel: Hello. How may I assist you today?
Matt: Hello, I was wondering about the live blackjack
Matt: Do you have any policies about counting cards?
Daniel: About counting cards on the Live Dealer Blackjak?
Matt: yes
Daniel: *Blackjack
Matt: do you consider it cheating?
Daniel: Allow me to check about that....
Daniel: Just a moment please
Daniel: Well, we actually do not have, but since the Live Dealer Casino is a third party, with independent rules and policies, they might have policies about counting cards.
Daniel: You can access to a chat window with the Live Dealer directly, once you are signed in to the Live Dealer Casino
Matt: Do I need to create an account for that?
Daniel: Yes
Matt: ok thank you
Daniel: You're welcome
Daniel: ...and contact us back at any time..
Daniel: ..either for depositing information, or further concerns



Matt8: Hello
Matt8: Do you have a policy about card counting?
Casino Supervisor: Hello Matt8! what do you mean?
** David512 has joined the chat **
Matt8: Do you consider it cheating? keeping track of which cards have been played?
** David512 has left the chat **
** David512 has joined the chat **
Casino Supervisor: We dont have track of cards been played
** David512 has left the chat **
Matt8: So players can keep track if they want?
Casino Supervisor: if you want to Sir...
Matt8: Ok thank you!
Casino Supervisor: good memories better..

It looks like they haven't had a problem with card counting yet and haven't addressed it. It looks like you could get away with it. I am really tempted but ultimately decided to pass on it. I think the 1%-2% advantage of counting is probably smaller then the chance of them keeping your money if you win.
MathExtremist
MathExtremist
  • Threads: 88
  • Posts: 6526
Joined: Aug 31, 2010
November 24th, 2010 at 11:35:07 AM permalink
Quote: mkl654321

I probably WAS confused, as "live online gambling" seems like an utter oxymoron to me. How the heck would that work?



At the G2E show last week there were several gaming machine vendors offering remote terminal betting on shared, televised events (like dice rolls or roulette spins). The random event is shared across all the bettors regardless of which terminal you're playing. You may have seen ShuffleMaster's Rapid Roulette already. See:

http://www.f2.co.kr/products/winningstar_live.php
http://www.interblock.eu/products/G4/live/
http://www.shufflemaster.com/02_eu_products/entertainment_products/electronic_table_games/rapid_roulette.asp

Going from live gambling with a casino terminal to live gambling with an internet terminal (e.g. your computer) is just a matter of network distance and protocols. The technology is basically the same.
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
weaselman
weaselman
  • Threads: 20
  • Posts: 2349
Joined: Jul 11, 2010
November 24th, 2010 at 7:48:37 PM permalink
Quote:

It would take a long time, but a player could track the frequency of each card seen. With a large enough sample size, a strong case could be made for the missing ace.



Assuming a 60% penetration, and a six-deck shoe, the probability of a particular ace happening to be behind the cut card is about 95%. (1-0.6^6).
If you play 100 shoes and are sure that you have never seen 6 aces of clubs in any of them, there is still about 1% chance of that happening. You'll need about another hundred decks to get outside of the 3 sigma (which is still no solid proof of cheating, just a strong suspicion). How long will it take to play 200 shoes? With 4 players at the table, it's about 2000 hands. You said, the game is going slowly, so, let's say 3 minutes per hand - it's 100 hours of play.

And even then, there could be a different ace missing every time (see below about fanning out/changing decks), in which case, the numbers become much higher (one or more aces behind cut card is 99.9995%)

Or did you have a different method of tracking aces in mind?

Quote: Wizard

Also, they replace the cards every 12 hours, and the dealer fans then out just like in a regular casino.


But how can you be sure that the deck that was just fanned out is the same one you are playing with? I mean, people make buildings disappear right before your eyes on TV, I would think cheating at blackjack gotta be easier than that.


I am not saying they necessarily are cheating, just that, if they are, it doesn't seem very easy to catch them. I think, there is some psychological moment, that makes people tend to believe what they see with their own eyes, and that makes television particularly deceptive.
"When two people always agree one of them is unnecessary"
irbylamer
irbylamer
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 12
Joined: Oct 25, 2010
November 25th, 2010 at 4:27:39 AM permalink
Playing live online blackjack is a little different than a live land based casino game. In live land based blackjack game if you count cards then the casino people can possibly catch you as you are visible to them. But in live online blackjack game they cant catch you. So they use more deck I the game so that card counting becomes difficult for the counters.
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 25th, 2010 at 5:26:21 AM permalink
Quote: weaselman

But how can you be sure that the deck that was just fanned out is the same one you are playing with? I mean, people make buildings disappear right before your eyes on TV, I would think cheating at blackjack gotta be easier than that.



I would file that under anything being possible. No casino game is 100% safe from cheating.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
weaselman
weaselman
  • Threads: 20
  • Posts: 2349
Joined: Jul 11, 2010
November 25th, 2010 at 7:45:34 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I would file that under anything being possible. No casino game is 100% safe from cheating.


I was just saying that adding a video feed to online blackjack does not seem to me to make the game more believable. As far as I can see, this game seems to be as likely (or unlikely) to be rigged as any other online game, video or not.
"When two people always agree one of them is unnecessary"
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 25th, 2010 at 7:53:49 AM permalink
Quote: weaselman

I was just saying that adding a video feed to online blackjack does not seem to me to make the game more believable. As far as I can see, this game seems to be as likely (or unlikely) to be rigged as any other online game, video or not.



I have a different opinion.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
weaselman
weaselman
  • Threads: 20
  • Posts: 2349
Joined: Jul 11, 2010
November 25th, 2010 at 7:58:07 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I have a different opinion.


That is ok :)
I do think, that the main point of message boards is discussing different opinions, not merely stating them, but I can understand if you are not up to it right now.
"When two people always agree one of them is unnecessary"
SOOPOO
SOOPOO
  • Threads: 121
  • Posts: 10941
Joined: Aug 8, 2010
November 25th, 2010 at 8:51:44 AM permalink
I fall somewhere between the Wiz and weasel. If the online casino is making enough money with enough repeat customers without cheating, then they probably will not risk the steady flow of income to cheat for a short term higher take. That being said, I do not think it would be too difficult for an on line casino to remove a card or 2 to alter the odds slightly more in their favor. The risk of a disgruntled employee turning them in likely outweighs the benefit, though. And by turning them in, I just mean making a public accusation, not needing to meet the standard of a criminal conviction.
mkl654321
mkl654321
  • Threads: 65
  • Posts: 3412
Joined: Aug 8, 2010
November 25th, 2010 at 10:21:59 AM permalink
Quote: SOOPOO

I fall somewhere between the Wiz and weasel. If the online casino is making enough money with enough repeat customers without cheating, then they probably will not risk the steady flow of income to cheat for a short term higher take. That being said, I do not think it would be too difficult for an on line casino to remove a card or 2 to alter the odds slightly more in their favor. The risk of a disgruntled employee turning them in likely outweighs the benefit, though. And by turning them in, I just mean making a public accusation, not needing to meet the standard of a criminal conviction.



I personally would NEVER send a dime to such a site, but I understand that many people would. And I definitely think the chances of it being an honest game are in your favor--perhaps as high as 65%! Of course, the site could cheat you without your having any idea it was happening, but as the Wiz points out, so could a real casino. We just have to trust in the moral integrity of someone we've never met, seen, or talked to, whose location is unknown. But we do that on EBay all the time.

I don't think there's any risk of the "disgruntled employee", to this site or to any real casino. After all, consider what connotations the phrase itself has: "guy who got fired who has a beef with his former employer". Because of the asymmetrical employer-employee relationship, employers--particularly large ones--have planted in the public's mind the perception that anyone who quit, or was fired, was just a misfit and a malcontent who, due to his drug, alcohol, or sex-with-farm-animals problem, foolishly left the bosom of his wise and benevolent employer, and his protestations and "whistle-blowing" after the fact are just bitter sour-grapes polemics.
The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.---George Bernard Shaw
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1491
  • Posts: 26435
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
November 25th, 2010 at 1:16:57 PM permalink
Quote: weaselman

I do think, that the main point of message boards is discussing different opinions, not merely stating them, but I can understand if you are not up to it right now.



As I stated in another thread, cheating would be very difficult in a live game beause:

1. There is a continuous live feed.
2. The dealers fan out the cards when they change decks and verify every card, for the players to see as well.
3. The cards are about 5" x 8." Any slight of hand would be difficult to pull off.
4. It would be easy to record any cheating, post it on YouTube, and damage the reputation of the casino.

Meanwhile, in a digital game it would just take the will and some changes to the program to cheat. I personally proven cheating/programming errors in online blackjack several times. The number of times I've heard of cheating in a live online game is zero.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
thecesspit
thecesspit
  • Threads: 53
  • Posts: 5936
Joined: Apr 19, 2010
November 25th, 2010 at 2:36:13 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard


4. It would be easy to record any cheating, post it on YouTube, and damage the reputation of the casino.



After the UB/Absolute fiasco, I have little faith that reputations can be shattered enough.
"Then you can admire the real gambler, who has neither eaten, slept, thought nor lived, he has so smarted under the scourge of his martingale, so suffered on the rack of his desire for a coup at trente-et-quarante" - Honore de Balzac, 1829
shortow
shortow
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 8
Joined: Nov 7, 2010
November 30th, 2010 at 11:55:09 PM permalink
For those who are of the belief live online games are compromised in any way, here's another consideration.

The games are not conducted by the casino but rather the live platform provider - much the same as online casinos license their software from 3rd party providers. Only a handful of platform providers power most of the known brand live casinos.

As an example, the game of live blackjack you're playing at Ladbrokes is being dealt by a dealer in a studio owned and operated by Evolution Gaming who also manage all aspects of game capture (card scan, video etc) and delivery (to players' interface). That same game is being streamed to players logged in at Unibet, Victor Chandler, Sportingbet, William Hill, BlueSquare, 888, PartyCasino, Expekt, Paddy Power etc .

So if there is cheating, it's being conducted by the platform provider. This would mean that either:
- the operators (Ladbrokes etc) are unaware of the impropriety and Evolution Gaming are risking breaching their service contract - a silly thing to do; or
- the operators are complicit in the impropriety and a platform provider has managed to convince a dozen listed gaming companies to get in on a blackjack cheating scam.

I don't see either option as realistic. And why cheat when you're conducting game with a house edge? These guys are in the turnover game, not the 'slight of hand, pinch a few bucks here and there' game.

The above arguments get weaker for smaller operators/platform providers of course.
niczone
niczone
  • Threads: 4
  • Posts: 21
Joined: Jan 19, 2011
January 22nd, 2011 at 5:37:37 AM permalink
I have been counting cards off VegasLive on Sporksbook.com with success. I have been using the Easy OPP count only betting when the deck is in my favor. I am up 17.5 units over 10 6 deck shoes. Betting from 1 or 2 units on 1 to 3 hands depending on the count, so in total 1 to 6 units. The sample size is small I know but its a start.

Here are the stats so far:

Shoe 1: played 5/14 hands up 1/2 unit
Shoe 2: played 4/15 hands up 2 units
Shoe 3: played 6/15 hands down 3 units
Shoe 4: played 8/13 hands down 6 units
Shoe 5: played 0/16 hands
Shoe 6: played 1/15 hands up 1 unit
Shoe 7: played 0/14 hands
Shoe 8: played 11/14 hands up 14 units
Shoe 9: played 0/15 hands
Shoe 10: played 13/14 hands up 10 units
Jufo81
Jufo81
  • Threads: 6
  • Posts: 344
Joined: May 23, 2010
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:54:47 AM permalink
Quote: niczone

I have been counting cards off VegasLive on Sporksbook.com with success. I have been using the Easy OPP count only betting when the deck is in my favor. I am up 17.5 units over 10 6 deck shoes. Betting from 1 or 2 units on 1 to 3 hands depending on the count, so in total 1 to 6 units. The sample size is small I know but its a start.

Here are the stats so far:

Shoe 1: played 5/14 hands up 1/2 unit
Shoe 2: played 4/15 hands up 2 units
Shoe 3: played 6/15 hands down 3 units
Shoe 4: played 8/13 hands down 6 units
Shoe 5: played 0/16 hands
Shoe 6: played 1/15 hands up 1 unit
Shoe 7: played 0/14 hands
Shoe 8: played 11/14 hands up 14 units
Shoe 9: played 0/15 hands
Shoe 10: played 13/14 hands up 10 units



Can you tell me the rules of the game and how far into the shoe they deal?
niczone
niczone
  • Threads: 4
  • Posts: 21
Joined: Jan 19, 2011
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:15:56 AM permalink
Sure. They go about 60% into the shoe, maybe a little less but more than 50% for sure.

Rules, ask if I miss something important:

6 Decks
3:2 Blackjack
Hit on Soft 17
Split Once
Double after Splitting
Double any two Cards
No hitting after splitting Aces
No Surrender (though they do have something called early payout where you can at any point quit and take what they offer with any hand, I just assume its a sucker bet)
European Style no Hole Card

The other important thing to note is the table I play at multiple people play the same hand. Everyone makes their own decisions but it is based off the first two cards. There are 3 hands and you can play any combo of the 3. So classic example if you have 6,5 you can double as you ought to, hit or stand. If anyone did just hit they are allowed to hit again by that card means nothing for the people that doubled. The default option is always whatever basic strategy says.

You can play your own dedicated hand at other tables. I actually like the shared hands because there are only 3 hands to play and its often faster than the 6 or 7 at a full table. Also basically everyone plays basic strategy because they tell it to you. Best of all of course is that I can just sit and watch the hands go by and not bet and just jump in when the deck is in my favor.

Lastly I did 3 more shoes this morning, not much play but here they are

Shoe 11: played 1/14 up 1 unit
Shoe 12: played 0/14
Shoe 13: played 0/15
Jufo81
Jufo81
  • Threads: 6
  • Posts: 344
Joined: May 23, 2010
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:27:25 AM permalink
Ok, thanks for the info. What bet size do they allow? I was thinking making 1K bets and end up either 10 units up or down.
niczone
niczone
  • Threads: 4
  • Posts: 21
Joined: Jan 19, 2011
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:17:06 AM permalink
$5-$500
bloodstriker
bloodstriker
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 1
Joined: Feb 4, 2011
February 4th, 2011 at 7:42:06 AM permalink
I've been counting cards on a range of online live casinos, most of which are big brands in the UK
Most of them use a provider which is located in some Eastern European country.
You even see the same dealers again and again across different brands

8 decks, DOA
No surrender
50% penetration
Cannot resplit
Cannot double after split

Have only been using 1-8 spreads
I realize the potential edge is small under these rules and my spreads

So far I've found that abusing the sign up offers and monthly promos is much more lucrative than the actual card counting
However I've exhausted most of the online brands so perhaps counting is the way to go from here
LiveBJStrategy
LiveBJStrategy
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 1
Joined: Feb 20, 2011
February 21st, 2011 at 9:36:31 PM permalink
I've counted cards on live blackjack a few times. I'm trying out different strategies. If anyone needs to know/share, please hit me up with a message.
petro
petro
  • Threads: 17
  • Posts: 99
Joined: Dec 6, 2010
March 8th, 2011 at 12:03:01 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I bit off topic, but the other players were extremly rude...


My experience with live dealers shows that many players are womanisers as well.
Often asking explicit questions to the female dealers like what type of underwear do they have on.

I tried to play with the live dealers at 5Dimes as well but I only got a black screen.
I contacted them about this and they said because it is working for them there must be something wrong on my end.
I asked to be given the minimum system requirements to play with the live dealers but was either told they don't have them or my question wasn't understood. ;(
  • Jump to: