Blackjack Counting Casino Countermeasures and Camouflage 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a common camouflage technique used by card counters?
- Occasionally making a 'wrong' play to appear recreational (Correct answer)
- Using a different counting system each hand
- Sitting at the first base position always
- Betting the same amount every hand
Correct answer: Occasionally making a 'wrong' play to appear recreational
Making an occasional intentional error (like hitting 12 vs dealer 6 once) creates the impression of a non-counting recreational player.
Question 2: Why is 'rat-holing' chips considered a camouflage technique?
- It hides accumulated winnings to appear even or losing (Correct answer)
- It speeds up chip counting
- It confuses other players at the table
- It prevents casino staff from counting your chips
Correct answer: It hides accumulated winnings to appear even or losing
Rat-holing involves secretly pocketing chips during a session so the visible chip stack doesn't reflect actual net winnings, reducing buy-in escalation suspicion.
Question 3: What is 'table hopping' as a card counter strategy?
- Moving between tables to enter shoes at high positive counts (Correct answer)
- Playing at a different table each casino visit
- Alternating between blackjack and other games
- Sitting out negative-count hands without leaving
Correct answer: Moving between tables to enter shoes at high positive counts
Table hopping (Wonging) means observing multiple shoes and only sitting to play when a table's count reaches a profitable level.
Question 4: Why do many card counters avoid using player's club cards?
- It creates a casino record linking their play to a tracked identity (Correct answer)
- Comps reduce hourly EV
- Player cards reduce allowed bet sizes
- Casino cameras track card use
Correct answer: It creates a casino record linking their play to a tracked identity
Player cards link buying-in and betting patterns to a named identity, making it easier for casinos to identify and share information about successful counters.
Question 5: The 'big player/spotter' team strategy works by:
- Spotters count at minimum bet, signaling a big bettor to join at high counts (Correct answer)
- Multiple players each track a single suit
- One player flat bets while others manage the count
- Spotters distract dealers while big player acts
Correct answer: Spotters count at minimum bet, signaling a big bettor to join at high counts
MIT Blackjack Team-style play uses low-profile counters (spotters) to maintain the count and signal a high-betting partner to join only at high positive counts.
Question 6: Under US law, card counting is:
- Legal, as it uses only mental skill (Correct answer)
- Illegal under federal gambling statutes
- Legal only in Nevada and New Jersey
- A misdemeanor in states without gaming commissions
Correct answer: Legal, as it uses only mental skill
Card counting is not illegal in the United States because it relies solely on mental skill and does not involve cheating devices or external assistance.
Blackjack Counting Casino Countermeasures and Camouflage 2
Which of the following is a common camouflage technique used by card counters?