Thank you, Richard.

Your post in a thread far below this one on this page has moved me to do something I rarely do--make a New Year's resolution. I resolve to cut my toke rate for table game play by at least 50% for 2005.

I have often heard dealers talk about doing things to cause a player to lose, but have generally ignored them because the things they think they have control over do not affect the outcome of the game. These dealers are gunning for these players due to their not toking or because of some other behavior or attitude. However, your post claims that you have the intent and the ability to cheat players who do not tip you. If you have the ability you claim to have, that would be an effective way for you to cheat the players. I am skeptical that you have this ability, but you are able to articulate an effective method. This is quite different from the things I've heard dealers say they will do to cause a player to lose. Those things have generally been equivalent to ploppy superstitions and can easily be disregarded.

To assist me in carrying out my NY resolution, I am going to assume that there is one dealer like you in every casino I play. Even though nearly all casinos pool dealer tokes, the thought that someone like you will receive even 1c of my money is so repulsive to me that I should have no trouble meeting my goal.

BTW, I support the comments MathBoy and MathProf made in that thread and am hopeful that someone will bring your shameful behavior to the attention of Grand Vic management and/or the Indiana Gaming Commission. Cheating is the same as stealing in this instance and should be dealt with accordingly.

This casino has been notorious in its treatment of players. The general attitude that this person displays, is highly consistent with the majority of dealers and its floor personnel, not to mention casino management. So any communication directed at the Grand Victoria's management team will likely be laughed at. As to the Illinois Gaming Commission, well, although its believed to be a strong commission by some, this is, after all, Illinois. It's not Nevada, but....

As to the Hollywood casino, and clearly this will fall on deaf ears for those who believe like this person does, a 6 deck game (as in the Hollywood's high level area) with the S17 rule and 75% penetration, as any self-respecting blackjack player knows, is the better game. And to further clarify, red chip play at the Grand Victoria - Elgin, is nearly non-existent. The minimum for almost all tables is $25. The Hollywood offers $25 minimums in their HL area.

To have a discussion -- whereas anyone, much less a clueless casino dealer -- that disputes this fact, is ludicrious.

Hopefully, for anyone who reads these pages and are not experienced, they will disregard all future pieces of advice offered by casino dealers.

I hope all non-casino employees have a sensational Holiday Season.

cheers
bfb

Zero.

Dealers like Richard make me more resolute than ever to not tip. Hopefully the Illinois Gaming Commission is not as worthless as Nevada's, and will track down and prosecute this crook.

I think that the majority of APs have negative attitudes toward casino employees, and toward dealers in particular. I have tried to argue against this, when the issue has come up on Green Chip. I am one of he few people who argue for a modest amount of tipping.

Unfortunately, Richard�s posts here are a major setback to cause. He has reinforced all our negative stereotypes of dealers. We all know the arrogant dealer who thinks they are an expert on BJ, and dispenses bad advice. Not only do they do they dispense, but they do it with an attitude like �Hey I am an expert at this game,; I deal 40 hours a week.�

How many times have had a dealer sneer at your for splitting 4s, in a DAS game against a 6. Or for hitting soft 18. Or for splitting 9s? And then shamelessly hustle for tokes at the same time! So we have to pay for the privilege of being mis-informed.

Here, Richard tries to tell us that H17 is better than S17!

Now on the issue of his alleged cheating. I don�t think the case is as clear as others think. By analogy, consider Preferential Shuffling. There are some who claim PS is illegal, but I do not think it is illegal under current law in Nevada. I think it should be illegal. That is, I think there should regulations prohibiting it. But we have all seen dealers shuffle away good packs from players they don�t like, and I don�t think they are risk of going to jail.

I do not what the situation is in Illinois. I simply o not know if the gaming commission allows PS. I do not know how they would react if a casino employed a shuffling procedure which effectively shorted the deck. I believe they would promulgate regulations that would make such conduct a violation, but whether or not they are a violation of existing procedures is a different issue.

However, reputable casinos would not allow this. I don�t think even in Nevada the reputable casinos allow their dealers to PS against players they don�t like. I think if a dealer announced that he/she did this, it would be a cause for discipline.

Now let me close on a positive note: I think dealers like Richard are the exception, rather than the rule. The majority of dealers and pit personnel that I have dealt with behave in a courteous and professional manner. Even when they throw you out of the place, they are usually polite about it. I just regret like Richard give them a bad reputation.

I don't see preferential shuffling as cheating under the law nor do I see what Richard maintains he does as cheating under the law.

Therefore, should Math Boy continue with his letter writing campaign?

Absolutely.

As I said, Richard can consider it his first back-off or barring. If he gets termd it will not be for cheating, it will be for using his brain to make a little more money for himself. How does it feel Richard -using your head to make some money and then getting put out on the street for it?

If the Illinois Gaming Commission does not find it to be cheating, I'm doubting even the Grand Vic will want someone employed that is as foolish and arrogant as to come on a public forum and announce that if you don't tip you are not wanted at the Grand Vic.

'Pride goeth before the fall.'

Ain't it the truth.