How To Spot Cheaters At The Casino

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.


The casino's "Eye in the Sky" catches most of them eventually, but recognizing the signs of a scam unfolding right next to you is a fascinating skill.

How Cheaters Manipulate Casino Chips

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."


Often, a confederate (an accomplice) will intentionally spill a drink or loudly argue with a waitress at the exact moment the cheater makes the move.

The scam almost always involves a loud, intentional distraction created by an accompliceCheaters also use "pinching," which is removing chips from a bet after losing the handIf a player is constantly hovering their hands near their chips after the deal, pit bosses become highly suspicious
Card Marking and Edge Sorting

Historically, this involved utilizing invisible ink readable only with special contact lenses, or using a fingernail to create a tiny, microscopic dent in the cardboard.


A more sophisticated, highly controversial method popularized by poker legend Phil Ivey is known as "edge sorting."

Dice Sliding at the Craps Table

However, highly skilled mechanics attempt a scam known as "dice sliding," which completely removes the random tumble of the dice.


This mathematically alters the probability of hitting a 7, giving the cheater a massive, incredibly illegal advantage over the house.

Cheating MethodTarget GameHow it WorksPast PostingRoulette / BlackjackAdding chips to a winning bet lateEdge SortingBaccaratExploiting asymmetrical card patterns

Attempting to cheat a modern casino is an incredibly foolish endeavor that almost universally ends in severe felony charges and prison time.