Blackjack: Cheating made easy with iPhones and even iPods
February 17, 2009 | 8:31
am
How does the iPhone's blackjack cheating application work?The Gaming Control Board has posted on its site the warning it sent to casinos in Las Vegas Feb. 5 concerning the new application that I blogged about Monday. This application can be used to cheat at blackjack in Vegas resorts by keeping the count as well as the professionals. I say cheat because, unlike the counting attempted by players in their heads, bringing a device with you to figure out the count on blackjack becomes a felony in Nevada.
These details can be a bit esoteric to people who do not count cards or play blackjack, but for those who are interested, here is the Gaming Control Board's description:
This Blackjack Card Counting program can be utilized on either the Apple I-Phone or the Apple IPod touch (portable music player). Once this program is installed on the phone through the I-tunes website it can make counting cards easy. The program calculates the "True Count" and does it significantly more accurately. The card counting program uses a choice of four (4) card counting strategies. For each strategy the user presses the button that contains the face cards as they are drawn from the deck. Depending on the strategy and on the value of the card the button will either add or subtract 1 or 2 from the "Running Count." The program can utilize the following card counting methods including Hi-Low, Hi-Op I, Hi-Op II, and Omega II.
This program can be used in the "Stealth Mode." When the program is used in the "Stealth Mode" the screen of the phone will remain shut off, and as long as the user knows where the keys are located the program can be run effortlessly without detection... ."
Of course, "without detection" is relative, and resorts are expert at detecting supposedly undetectable devices that allow people to cheat at cards and slots. And I doubt that resorts will have any problems using security to catch anyone bringing this illegal assistance to aid them at a Vegas casino's blackjack tables. For those who might harbor any delusions that this is a legal activity, the letter concludes by warning:
Just as a reminder, use of this type of program or possession of a device with this type of program on it (with the intent to use it), in a licensed gaming establishment, is a violation of NRS 465.075.
And that means felony charges. Hardly, a fun way to enjoy a Vegas vacation.
Photo: Sarah Gerke
The "possession of a device with this type of program on it" raises an interesting question for a number of borderline apps. The live card counting app with the stealth mode is obviously illegal, but what about training and practice apps that teach you how to count cards or even learn basic strategy in a video game but which doesn't have any real use in a live game?
For example, I have an app with the unfortunate name of "BJ trainier" that helps you practice basic strategy and which has a reference jpg with the basic strategy matrix. Are you allowed to walk into a casino with that on your phone (I'd say yes), but more importantly, what is your recourse if the casino disagrees? I'm happy to keep my iphone in my pocket when I'm at the table, but I don't want some overzealous pit boss confiscating my phone and getting bent out of shape when he finds a glorified basic strategy card.
The relevant portions of NRS 465.080
4. It is unlawful for any person, not a duly authorized employee of a licensee acting in furtherance of his employment within an establishment, to have on his person or in his possession on or off the premises of any licensed gaming establishment any device intended to be used to violate the provisions of this chapter.
5. It is unlawful for any person, not a duly authorized employee of a licensee acting in furtherance of his employment within an establishment, to have on his person or in his possession on or off the premises of any licensed gaming establishment any key or device known to have been designed for the purpose of and suitable for opening, entering or affecting the operation of any gambling game, cashless wagering system or drop box, or any electronic or mechanical device connected thereto, or for removing money or other contents therefrom.
Posted by: Maurice Levy, Esq. | February 17, 2009 at 09:11 AM
This entire article is fluff. Carrd counitng is no longer possible in Vegas casinos since automatic shufflers instantly reshuffle the deck after every hand - there is no memory for the iphone or "professional gamblers" to count. Have you ever met a winning blackjack player? Didn't think so.
Posted by: Mike G | February 17, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Mike, Thanks for reading. Only a few casinos use automatic shufflers for each hand on the Strip, and I do not think any do downtown. I am sure people will correct me if I am wrong, but I would say there are experiments going on at some casinos with automatic shufflers and nothing like a changeover.
But I agree with you that there are few winners at blackjack in the long term besides the house. Still, there are a few people who really can count in addition to using a basic strategy to achieve a brief and slight mathematical advantage. The best can even earn a living doing this. But it is very hard and there are very few real winners, and even they must have very deep pockets to endure the swings.
Actually, I think the reason you don't see all the casinos jumping to switch to automatic shufflers is that it would end counting and they would lose all the wanna-be counters who lose plenty to make the few who succeed worth enduring along with playing cat and mouse games. Yrs., Richard
Posted by: Richard Abowitz | February 17, 2009 at 07:27 PM
It'about who to play a blackjak.
Posted by: Fue Lee | February 19, 2009 at 05:50 PM
I definitely agree that using a device to cheat with is not ethical and should be illegal. People using these iphones and ipods to cheat the system in Vegas deserve to be caught. It is still a cool program to do something like that.
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Posted by: HearditinVegas.com Admin | February 21, 2009 at 11:11 AM