Since the very first casino opened its doors, an endless war has raged between the operators trying to protect their money and the criminals trying to steal it.
Understanding exactly how these professional thieves operate not only satisfies a morbid curiosity but also protects honest players from becoming collateral damage at a compromised table.
Understanding the "Past Posting" Scam
The most common and arguably the most difficult-to-detect method of table game cheating is a sleight-of-hand maneuver known universally as "past posting."
This scam requires absolute, flawless timing, massive distraction, and the steady, lightning-fast hands of a professional close-up magician.
Modern roulette tables feature advanced sensors to detect any chip movement after the ball dropsDealers are trained to intensely stare at the chips immediately after announcing the winning numberPast posting is a severe felony offense, not a simple misunderstanding of the rules
How Players Manipulate the Deck
Cheaters attempt to destroy this mystery by physically marking the high-value cards (like Aces and Faces) so they can be identified from the back.
A more sophisticated, highly controversial method popularized by poker legend Phil Ivey is known as "edge sorting."
The Mechanics of a Craps Scam
Instead of throwing the dice into the air, the cheater expertly slides one of the dice completely flat across the felt, preventing it from ever tumbling.
This mathematically alters the probability of hitting a 7, giving the cheater a massive, incredibly illegal advantage over the house.
Scam NameRequired Skill LevelDetection DifficultyDice SlidingExtremely High (Physical skill)Low (Dealers watch the throw closely)Invisible InkLow (Requires tainted deck)High (Requires UV light to detect)
Attempting to cheat a modern casino is an incredibly foolish endeavor that almost universally ends in severe felony charges and prison time.
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How to Spot Cheaters at the Casino
giuseppebittne edited this page 2026-08-05 03:41:16 +00:00