Avoiding Detection While Card Counting at Blackjack

By Michael Dalton.

card counting in blackjack can give you an edge over the casino, but it’s important to avoid detection to continue playing. While some casinos may tolerate your play at lower betting levels (i.e., under $100 / hand) it is still important to always keep them guessing.  If you play long enough with a significant advantage all card counters eventually get noticed.  You may be asked to leave, forced to flat bet, have the casino reduce deck penetration or barred from the game and/or casino entirely.  At higher betting levels, if they feel you are too good, you may even get your name and photo published in the casino “undesirables” book which is often shared electronically with other casinos.

Here are some of the best ways to avoid detection:

1. Act Naturally: Don’t act like a robot at the table. Engage in casual conversation and make small talk with the dealer and other players. One of the hardest things to learn when I first started counting was the ability to talk and count at the same time.  One simple idea to lock in the count while talking is the chip method. 

2. Don’t Stare at the Cards: When counting, wait for the dealer to deal the second card to the players.  You should have plenty of time to casually glance at the table to update your count.  If you can’t count a deck down in under 30 seconds, you need to practice more.

3. Limit Your wins: Avoid winning too much in a single session. Large wins can trigger mandatory reviews by the casino.  You can always come back at a later time or day.

4. Limit Your Session Times: Whether you are winning or not, resist playing marathon sessions.  The longer you play, the more focused they will be on you and the easier it will be for them to identify you as a card counter.  Advice: Keep your sessions at one hour or less.

5. Rat Hole Your Chips: This means discreetly pocketing some of your chips to make it harder for the casino to track your profits.  If you are up and are taking a bathroom break (usually due to a negative count), consider taking a few chips off the table – discreetly, of course.

6. Spread Your Play: Limit your presence at each casino and spread your play around multiple casinos.  This is one advantage of being a recreational card counter who only plays on weekends and vacation.  The less time they see you, the better.

7. Blend In: Look and act like a typical gambler and blend in with other players.  Pretend to be drinking (e.g., apple-juice on the rocks or a water filled beer bottle).  Be sure to dress appropriately.

8. Be Likable: Be friendly, get excited when you win and complain when you lose. This can make you seem like a regular player rather than a professional card counter.  Don’t criticize other players as that only brings attention to you!

9. Avoid Drastic Betting Changes: Avoid making drastic changes in your betting patterns. Try to keep your bets consistent and only make small adjustments.

10. Don’t Be the Smarted Person at the Table:  Avoid appearing too knowledgeable about the game and only ask questions that a non-counter would ask.

11. Use Camouflage Techniques: Some camouflage techniques can help you avoid detection from casino staff.  For example, some professionals have alternate disguises and identification.  Also, be sure to NOT overdue any idiot camouflage ideas you might be thinking of.

12. Tip Only When You win: Professional players rarely tip, but when they do tip, it is usually only at the end of a session and only if they won.  Of course, if you want to NOT look like a card counter, you can tip more 🙂

13. Avoid being rated / IDed: This is a tough one!  You can always decline to be rated at the table, however, a large cash-out at the cashier may require an ID in any case.  If you are a good basic strategy player only, you may want to be rated – to take advantage of casino comps and offers.

IMAGE CREDIT: Microsoft AI Copilot
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[ RECOMMENDED VIDEO: How card Counters AVOID Getting Caught – Youtube.com ]

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