An Overview of Cheating in Blackjack

It's probably no exaggeration to say that from the moment card games were invented, unscrupulous individuals had sought ways to cheat. Although cheating in Blackjack is difficult in casinos, being able to identify them can help when you play in home games.

One of the most common Blackjack cheating methods used by players is simple card bending. In casinos, the dealer makes certain that the cards aren't bent to such a degree that it leaves creases, because their presence could give away their value. If you are playing at home, keep at eye on how the cards are shuffled, and even the way they are being handled.

A good protection against this Blackjack cheating scheme is to purchase plastic cards (standard in casinos). Some cheaper decks are made of paper, but they crease easily; don't settle for an inferior type, because it might end up costing you more in the long run.

Another method that players use is to get an extra card (usually concealed in their jacket), and when no one is looking, muck the weaker hand and make a substitute. This may sound difficult, but anyone with a deft hand can pull this off, particularly if no one on the table is looking. If you are playing cards at home and watching TV at the same time, someone can do this without much effort.

One cheating that is less prevalent than imagined is collusion between player and dealer. The idea that the casino dealer is favoring the guy on your left may stem from the fact that he keeps getting Blackjack. Rest assured that is not the case at all; number one, the dealer knows only too well the penalty of being caught favoring another player, and second, any partnership in crime will never survive, because someone will always want a bigger slice of the pie.

Again it should be emphasized that Blackjack cheating is apt to happen more in home games than in casinos owing to the rigorous security measures in place. However, there have been a few who have tried it, and ended up being criminally charged, aside from being blacklisted (forbidden to play in casinos).

Cheating in Blackjack takes place because there are some people who simply can't accept defeat. Even though you aren't this type of individual, some of the players around you may be, so the importance of knowing how it occurs is crucial. The methods discussed here are just some of the most common, so always keep your eyes open and stay informed.