Is it Unlawful to Practice Card Counting in Las Vegas?
Card Counting in Las Vegas: A Cat and Mouse Game
Card counting in Las Vegas casinos has been a topic of interest since the 1960s, when mathematician Edward O. Thorp proved that the house advantage in blackjack could be overcome by keeping track of high and low cards. Thorp's groundbreaking work, outlined in his book Beat the Dealer (1962), gained widespread attention and led to substantial wins for those who followed his strategy[1][5].
Despite the legality of card counting, casinos have long been wary of this practice. They view it as a threat to their profits, and as a result, they employ various methods to detect and deter card counters. These measures include surveillance, shared watchlists (such as the Griffin Book, now defunct), and the right to ban suspected counters[2].
In the modern era, casinos maintain internal databases to track and exclude advantage players. However, card counting remains legal, and it is not illegal to count cards because it relies on memory and skill, not cheating or tampering with the cards[5].
The method of card counting involves tracking the ratio of high to low cards in the remaining deck to adjust bets and playing strategy. This statistical edge gives players an advantage over the house, but it is not foolproof, especially given the rule changes casinos have implemented to make blackjack less favorable for counters[4].
While card counting is legal, non-compliance with security measures can lead to arrest, especially after consuming alcohol. Actions such as switching cards, adding/subtracting from your bet after the cards are dealt, using a computer or a phone to aid your play, using devices like a prism or camera to catch the dealer's hole card, any sort of collusion with the dealer, and being overpaid on purpose or the dealer flashing you the next card before it's dealt are all actions that will get you arrested[6].
Throughout history, card counting has been a part of Las Vegas's story. Figures like Edward Thorpe have contributed to the evolution of the city and its casinos. However, the days of beatings and mob influence are long gone, with the only vestige of the mob in Las Vegas being a museum downtown[7].
In summary, while card counting is legal in Las Vegas, casinos actively counter it by banning players or shuffling decks more frequently to disrupt counting strategies[1][2]. It is essential for players to understand the rules and the potential consequences of their actions to enjoy the thrill of the game without running afoul of the law.
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Origin | Edward O. Thorp's applied research and book Beat the Dealer (1962), testing in Las Vegas and other Nevada casinos[1][5] | | Method | Tracking card ratios to adjust bets and strategies, gaining a statistical edge over the house[3][5] | | Legality | Not illegal; card counting is considered a skill-based strategy, no laws prohibit it[5] | | Casino response | Casinos use surveillance, shared watchlists (e.g., Griffin Book, now defunct), and may ban suspected counters[2] | | Current status | Legal to count cards, but casinos may refuse service or eject players suspected of counting | | Security Measures | Compliance with security measures is crucial to avoid arrest, especially after consuming alcohol | | Potential Consequences | Actions such as switching cards, colluding with dealers, or using outside aid for card counting can lead to arrest | | Historical Impact | Card counting has been a part of Las Vegas's story, with figures like Edward Thorpe contributing to the city's evolution |
- In the backdrop of Las Vegas's vibrant entertainment scene, the blog discusses the uncanny cat-and-mouse game between casino-goers employing card-counting strategies and the casinos attempting to deter this form of casino-and-gambling.
- Despite the legality of card counting, one should be cautious while applying the strategy in popular Las Vegas casinos, as non-compliance with security measures can lead to unwanted confrontations with the law.
