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.

Past Posting: The Art of the Late Bet

Past posting occurs when a cheater incredibly quickly and silently adds additional chips to their winning bet exactly a split second after the winning outcome is determined.


While the dealer's eyes are momentarily distracted by the sudden commotion, the extra high-denomination chips are seamlessly slid onto the winning betting circle.

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
The Complex Scam of Edge Sorting

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.


To combat this, casinos mandate that both dice must physically bounce off the chaotic, rubber pyramid "alligator" siding at the far end of the table.

Cheater ActionDealer Counter-MeasurePinching (Stealing back a lost bet)Clearing losing bets before paying winnersMarking Cards with fingernailsReplacing the entire shoe of cards frequently

The glamorous era of casino cheating has largely been eradicated by incredibly advanced facial recognition, RFID-chipped betting tokens, and relentless surveillance.