BlackJack Team Play Problems (Part 4)
TEAM MEMBER’S BEING “MADE,” AND SUBSEQUENTLY BACKED OFF OR BARRED
Up until now we’ve discussed internal conflicts. Now let’s talk about an external one, and what to expect in advance to minimize the possibility of its happening.
In today’s world, casinos actually compete for customers. One way to do this is to offer give-backs or “comps” to those players who wager a 1ot or play quite regularly. To do this, the casinos like to offer almost every one a player-rating card to be handed in prior to playing at any table. Casino personnel then estimate the amount of money bet on each hand or spin of the wheel, and the total time over which the rating applies, to establish what’s called a player’s “action.” Not surprisingly, the greater the action, the larger the 3/4m. The problem for us counters is that everyone naturally likes to receive complimentary goods or services and can play blackjack .
Therefore, to deny a rating and thus “pass” on any complimentary rooms, foods, beverages, or other freebies is looked upon as odd - very odd. In fact, you’re either a criminal with a few skeletons in the closet, or a card counter. So not being rated often translates into more scrutiny than does just getting a card to begin with and taking what each house wants to give you. The catch, of course (and there’s always a catch, isn’t there?), is that to obtain a player-rating card you must give a name, address, and date of birth.
Big players and spotters alike: expect to be asked to get rated if playing game, called blackjack - which means you will have to provide that personal information, or somehow provide an alternate identity. Just make sure everyone on the team doesn’t give addresses that are all from the same geographic area - especially if your team is using the Big Player approach. Consider this for a moment: if you. were a shift manager at a casino in Gulfport, Mississippi, what would you think if on some Wednesday morning five guys playing blackjack - all appearing not to know one another - produce only Nevada drivers’ licenses? Conventioneers, you say, who all happen to be from the card-counting capital of the world? Guess again.
In summary, have an identity ready to go. Expect to get rated, and get rated if the request is made. For Big Blackjack Player teams: don’t all come from the same place. For Joint Bank teams: no two counters should be playing the same casino at the same time. If you’re “made” as part of what is labeled a blackjack team operation, you’ll most likely be barred. For a Big Player team, that should mean the end of play for all team members in that casino for some time. For Joint Bank teams, other team members should be able to continue playing there, albeit with a heightened sense of alertness towards heat that might in any way relate. Once in a while it might be helpful to put yourself in the shoes of casino management, and to take a good, hard look at what you and your teammates look like from the other side.
To be continued…
