Why Don't You Write about Automatic Shuffling Machines?

Why don't you do a review on automatic shuffling machines for blackjack? Do they arrange the cards in orders that can be advantageous to the house? Could be Vegas' next scandal.

Are you sure we haven't? If you're not, you can always do a search. Just type "shufflers" into the Search the Archives field at the top right of every QoD page and you're almost sure to come up with something we've written about what you're looking for. Automatic shuffling machines would make a good example. We've answered four questions about them since 2017.

But since you ask so nicely, and to address a common belief among recreational blackjack players about gaffed machines, we'll answer it again.

First off, if a shuffle machine is on any table game in a Nevada casino, it's illegal to arrange the cards in any order. Truly random shuffles are required by law.

Now, casinos outside the U.S. or possibly in a state other than Nevada or New Jersey often impose less stringent regulations on how equipment might be rigged. For instance, video poker machines in some countries (and possibly some U.S. states) are considered the same as slot machines and payout percentages can be set regardless of the player's strategy.

For a shuffle machine to perform as you suggest, however, would be a true marvel of programming and engineering, at least for a game like blackjack where players make their own decisions on how to play hands, the number of players at the table can change at any time, and the number of hands any individual player has in action can change according to player whim.

Some casinos started using shuffle machines that could read the cards as dealt as a house safety measure. It prevents a player or dealer from sneaking cards into the game via sleight of hand, as the machine will recognize a card that is improperly coded.

Using a shuffler like this on a table that can read where each card lands (and such tables will also read the players' bet sizes via RFID tags in the house chips) allows the casino to analyze individual players' strategies, which can be useful in detecting card counters or other advantage players.

But for a shuffle machine to actually gaff the shuffle itself to direct how the cards are delivered to the players would require a much more complex program and mechanical system. If the cards have to be removed from the shuffler and placed into a dealing shoe, then the device has no more control over how the cards are dealt. A card order that might work for three hands in play would be useless if a player exited the game after the deal had begun. A single player misplaying a hand could wreck the order of delivery.

And though it would definitely be possible for someone to invent a card shuffler that also acted as the dealing shoe and was mechanically designed to pull cards from anywhere in the shoe as needed in order to make or break hands, it's unlikely anyone would devise such a device, as it would never pass the inspections required by most Gaming Boards.

Plus, there are easier ways to gaff a shoe for cheating. Dealing shoes have been devised that allow the dealer to peek at the next card to be dealt; this allows him to deal the second card from the top if he wants to hold back the top card in order to make his own hand or bust a player, etc. This type of device requires no programming, no special type of shuffle, and it would in itself act as a license for the casino to steal.

But it's unlikely that any legitimate casino in the U.S. would attempt to use such a device, as it would jeopardize the casino's license if they were caught. If you're playing in private (illegal) games or in countries where corruption is common, you might run into a device like this.

The type of cheating you're describing would be much more doable on a video blackjack game than a table game.

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O2bnVegas Mar-25-2021

between the lines

"But since you asked so nicely..." 

Thanks LVA for the chuckle.

Candy

Ray Mar-25-2021

Scandal?

Just goes to show you. Somebody always thinks things are crooked. "I lost because the machine set up the cards wrong". Not because the house has an advantage.

Derbycity123 Mar-25-2021

My thoughts

As a software engineer I have always thought that rigging the continuous shuffle machines would be very easy to do. But knowing generally how the automatic shuffle machine work I think it would be a lot harder. They take a stack of cards say 8 decks break it into two stacks then create a third stack by taking cards off of the two other stacks. I always wondered and even asked as a Question of the Day what setting or adjustments are on the automatic shuffle machines.  I am guessing but settings could be for number of shuffle passes, number of cards taken off the stacks when making the third stack and how many cards in each stack when you make the two stacks. If there was technology to read the cards when making the third stack then the machine could make sure that high and low cards were evenly distributed by running another shuffle cycle if the cards were not evenly distributed. Since these machines are used on games other than BJ like Baccarat  I wonder if there is settings per game.

Dave Mar-25-2021

CONSPIRACY IDIOTS

Look I was a dealer for three years and heard it all. The shuffling machine one was one of the best (or moronic, depending on your point of view) theory that I heard with regularity. Even at an Indian casino, which is where I worked, it just isnt going to happen. Degenerate players that are there every day losing their ass, they have to come up with something for an excuse of why they lose their butts, besides their own incompitance at the game itself. Learn basic strategy, devise a game plan of when to quit, and enjoy the game and you and the people around you will have a way better time. And stop blaming the dealers and/or the machines :)

Brent Mar-25-2021

Why rig a game with a house advantage?

Except for expert card counters (which are rare) BJ has a guaranteed house edge over time, even against players using perfect strategy (which are also rare).

The best money-making strategy for a casino is to (1) attract as many players as possible; (2) keep them playing as long as possible; (3) maximize the house edge using approved game variants (6-5 Blackjack, no double after split, etc.); and (4) make sure that (3) doesn't unduly interfere with (1) & (2).

Getting caught cheating means that a casino operator will be forced out of business, permanently. Any short-term gain is outweighed by medium- and long-term losses.

Dave_Miller_DJTB Mar-25-2021

@ Derbycity123

Most modern shufflers CAN read the cards while shuffling. In fact there’s a switch that’ll have the shuffler sort rather than mix. IE. The cards come out in suited, new deck sequence. 

Knowing that, conspiracy theorists assume there’s also a switch for kill mode.

Kevin Lewis Mar-25-2021

Our primary defense

The best reassurance we have, our lustrous golden shield against any kind of malfeasance, is the shining, flawless integrity of the noble Nevada casino operators and the selfless, dedicated paladins who work for them. The casinos would no more cheat us than Mother Theresa would steal from the collection plate. FIE on any blasphemer who would suggest otherwise!

[email protected] Mar-26-2021

just say no

I try to avoid automatic shufflers at all cost.I l look for a hand deal with 2 decks.Those 6-8 shufflers are just impossible to figure out,and if you do then if you win early in your sit down,leave,cause they will take it back the longer you sit there.Especially playing at a 25$ table,you win you leave,and i understand if your trying to play for time,but that don't have to be at the same table,at least i don't think so.I also won't play a 6-5 game either,why would i give the casino more money back then they already take off us.

[email protected] Jun-12-2023

Truly random shuffle.

"Truly random shuffles are required"   This is true, and herin lies the problem.  Most people discard this as a trivial fact.  The fact is that I don't want a truly random shuffle.   The machine shuffles do provide a truly random shuffle. That's why the decks are constistently crappy for the basic strategy player.  I would bet my life that if anyone played 1000 hands in a machine shuffle game vs a hand shuffle game, they will lose more hands on a machine shuffle game.  40++ years of blackjack experience and observing the results is enough proof I need.  If anyone doesn't believe this... then I just say knock your socks off on those machine shuffle games.... Vegas and other casinos will luv you for it.  BTW.. never listen to anything a pit boss tells you.  They are working for the other side. PERIOD.

[email protected] Jun-12-2023

Scientific explanation?

Everyone wants a mathematical or scientific explanation of why they lose more hands on a machine shuffle game, over the long haul, vs a hand shuffle bj game.  Let me ask a question. Do you need to be a meteorologist to come to the conclusion that it rains more in Seattle than in Phoenix??? I'd think not.   My point is that you don't need a mathematical or scientific explanation, other than observation over a representative random sample (time and hands played).  There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I have "observed" consistently bad cards (more loses) in a machine shuffle game than a hand shuffle game.  BTW... Never listen to the belittling and disagreement that you will receive from ANYONE in the Casino business. This includes pit bosses, dealers, and casino media outlets trying to pass along lies just to lure you into believing there is no difference between a machine shuffle vs hand shuffle BJ game.  Try it yourself. Play 1000 hands on each game... Then you decide....

Question of the Day - 25 March 2021

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