Was I cheated?

MP
I approached this question the same way you did. I know it is possible but very unlikely event.
It is an unregulated casino.However, I checked the cards before and after the game and the decks weren't short. While playing there was no false shuffle. I also counted and nothing suspicious appeared. I know that dealing seconds from a gaffed shoe is possible and I was trying to look for a prism. The cards appeared unmarked. However, I didn't like the fact that they had red backs without borders. I know that those are cheater's favorites as it is hard to see if they push up the top card to deal the second.No selective hole card was used and cards pick up was in proper order. The dealer used to deal in regulated casinos in the U.K. and Sun City (S.A.)
Since I play unregulated casinos I try to familiarize myself with cheating techniques. I don't consider myself as an expert on cheating. I read zman's book and everything in print about cheating in BJ. I guess I am going to live with the doubts as I don't intend to try playing there again to find a positive proof for cheating.

I am not sure what to tell you hear. If it was me, I would have suspected cheating after losing 30 bets. I probably would have continued to play, but I would have been on high alert to observe cheating. I might have tried to observe patterns with different dealers, etc. I may have even reduced my bet, while I was studying the situation.

One thing that isn't clear to me. Is this a permanent rule at this casino, or is it just a special promotion. I ask this because it is hard to see how an honest casino could stay in business offering this game on a regular basis.

Did all the others players seem to lose? I think I would try to compare notes with some of them. Now I suppose that the casino might cheat you, if you were betting the maximum, but not cheat them. In fact, if they dealt seconds to you, they might actually be dealing better cards to the other players at the table. They may have been getting some of the blackjacks that should have gone to you.

It is an unregulated casino.

90% of unregulated casinos are dishonest. It is also notorious that in the UK dealers with notable skills are approached by crooked Sun City operations, where it is much easier to fleece the public.

GBV wrote:

90% of unregulated casinos are dishonest. It is also notorious that in the UK dealers with notable skills are approached by crooked Sun City operations, where it is much easier to fleece the public.

I think that is an overstatement. I have played in many unregulated casinos, and have made money there.

I do agree that you are more at risk of being cheated at un-regulated casinos. I also agree that a super-big loss at an unregulated casino is cause for great suspcion.

I assumed "unregulated" meant "underground", ie an illegal gambling den. There is a strong body of evidence suggesting that such games are almost always fixed-I seem to remember the 90% figure from Darwin Ortiz's "Gambling Scams" text, which cites an FBI study. It has also been my experience on the few occassions I unwisely patronized such establishments in NYC and London.

It seems that "unregulated" does not mean "underground" in this case.

I played over a dozen such casinos and this is the only "suspect" I have. After all you don't end up ahead of the game in casinos that cheat. A.

I think the terms we are discussing here have euphemistic qualities over here that you do not have across the pond. My apologies for the confusion.

When I mentioned "unregulated", I was referring to casinos like tribal casinos on Indian reservations in the US. I think some there are boats in Florida that are unregulated as well,

Incidentally, the Indian casino are technically not unregulated. They are usually regulated by some tribal authority. Of course, the tribe also owns the casino, so this is regulation by the owner. (Unlike Nevada, where the casinos own the government.)

Now when GBV talks about "underground", I assume he means illegal. Yes, if this happened in such a game, I would think you have been cheated somehow. I wouldn't consider going back.

When you said his initial interpretation was correct, did you mean that they were "underground". Then yes, you probably were cheated.

My Ideas about underground casinos were similar to yours. I didn't find cheating rampant after extensive play in various places. I would be just as suspicious if the same turn of events happened in a regulated casino.A.

Not much consolation. A month ago a reputable casino offered 2 to 1 promotion and while most everybody made money (they closed promo after two nights instead planed five nights) one fellow had CTR issued for (yes!) losing more then ten thousand. Poor soul was betting two hands of $300.
I would play such a promo any time but not if there is the slightest chance of being cheated. I saw magicians doing such an awful/beautiful tricks that my jaw dropped below my boobs � if you can imagine that. ;-)
S.

I saw magicians doing such an awful/beautiful tricks that my jaw dropped below my boobs � if you can imagine that. ;-)

That sounds like a magic trick in itself.

..on just how old she is I imagine...