What Are Casinos So Belligerent When They Back off Blackjack Players?

I just read The Blackjack Insiders and I have to ask: Why do the casinos have to become so belligerent when tossing out card counters? Why don’t they simply say something to the customer like, “You're really too good for us. We still welcome your play, but your next bet will be both the highest and lowest you can make with us. We wish you luck.” Is there really a need to act like the Mafia? The mob hasn't been in control of the casinos in many years.

[Editor's Note: Since this question stems from The Blackjack Insiders, we handed it off to the author of the book, Andrew Uyal. Here's what he has to say about it.]

What’s with the attitude? That's really the question, isn’t it?

Just to be clear, the casinos and their staff certainly don’t have to cop an attitude and be hostile with advantage players. It’s not in their manual.

And in fairness, they’re not all like that. Plenty of casinos all over the country handle backoffs professionally, quietly, and politely. The feisty ones are just the ones we like to tell stories about. Nobody wants to hear a story where the shift manager shakes your hand, smiles, and gently asks you to leave. Where’s the fun or drama in that?

As for the bosses who do get uppity, it’s speculation as to why. We probably all have theories of why they do this. I’ve got my own, which I think are legitimate, since I’ve worked side by side with people like this (as you also read about in my book).

It’s no secret that card counters and casinos both have an us-versus-them mentality. This battle has been going on for decades. So why are the casinos the ones with the attitude? Because they’re the ones losing money to the counters, while it’s in the best interest of the counters not to cop an attitude, to be quiet and forgettable.

The casinos, on the other hand, are holding all the cards and they know it. The counters may be smarter than the game, but when it comes to the pissing contest, the casinos get the last word. They can refuse service, trespass, or otherwise prevent people from playing. They make the rules. So when they get feisty while throwing someone out, to me, it’s nothing more than a power trip. They’re the sheriff riding in to stop the injustice of the wily card counters making off with their money.

It’s old-school. It’s unnecessary. Sometimes it’s even comical. I believe, though, that’s all there is to it.

Why are casinos so belligerent when they back off blackjack pros?

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Comments

David Miller Nov-23-2019

Waiting..

 I am waiting for the day that the casinos back someone off for LOSING to much money - now that would be news.

Dave in Seattle. Nov-23-2019

Getting backed off.

I congratulated one of our forum members for being barred from playing black jack.He wasn't amused about that. I should have made it clear that I was impressed with his skill,not the fact that he was barred..

emtcater Nov-23-2019

Normal

I had family visit a casino in Ohio, and they were playing 6 deck BJ.  They said no one at the table was up more than about $50 when the pit boss came over and told the dealer "shuffle up" halfway through the shoe.  A player complained.  The response from pit boss?  "My pit.  My rules.  If you don't like it, you can leave"  Everyone at the table got up and walked away.

Kevin Lewis Nov-23-2019

Only one crime in Vegas

Vegas culture is (supposedly) that you can do anything, spend money on anything, act as you never would at home--what's spent in Vegas stays in Vegas. There is only one exception--do NOT dip your toe into that river of money flowing into Vegas from all directions. That money, as far as they're concerned, is THEIRS (whether or not they've gone through the formality of actually winning it yet), and if you try to take even a tiny bit of it, they'll react like a bear will if you try to take a blackberry from HIS berry bush.

Adam Cohen Nov-23-2019

Tez

I watched one guy get sent home at the Tex. They were not mean but not nice. A guy walked up our table and loudly said no more play for you. No security. Guy picked up his chips and lrft

Tabbycat Nov-23-2019

The Real Reason: Intimidation

Unnecessary?  If you watch KC take $600,000 from American casinos in mere months (in “Inside the Edge”), you realize what all those polyester suits, bad hairpieces and fake cops are up against: they can’t stop it.  Not legally, anyway.  So they result to bullying, harassment, and in some cases, bodily threats and assaults.  “You’re not even in the United States right now,” says one overconfident suit.  “So I’d be very careful what you say next.”  I believe he committed a Federal crime by saying that.  Perhaps he is the one who should be careful speaking.

Pat Higgins Nov-24-2019

Big Tex

Glad you answered this question and got so many responses.  I just wonder is they will take this to the game of craps with so much supposedly advantage play.  I do know one one person who was banned in Louisiana.

Rick Sanchez Nov-25-2019

Inside the Edge

TabbyCat,  Unfortunately the guy saying that he wasn't in the US was correct. There is nothing the US courts can do with tribal lands.

Question of the Day - 23 November 2019

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