Can I Use a Cell Phone at the Blackjack Table?

Seems like when I visit the casino, the person sitting at the machine next to me is talking on the phone. Some of the conversations are certainly not for others to hear. If I was playing BJ and was uncertain how to play the hand, can I phone a friend? Maybe that is what people are doing when playing VP, since most seem to be on the phone. Just wonder if casinos are considering making rules about using your phone while playing.

Unlike "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire," which had a "phone-a-friend" lifeline for help in answering a big-money question, casinos not only seriously frown on the use of cell phones at the blackjack tables, but it could be considered cheating with serious consequences.

In addition, handling your cell phone could indicate that you're taking photos or videos, which is almost always forbidden, again to protect the security of the game, as well as the privacy of other players.

Even laying a cell phone on the table is rarely tolerated for security reasons, same as any item that's large enough to hide a card or cards under.

And if your phone rings at the table and you attempt to answer it, you'll be asked to step away from the table.

Now what about video poker? You can read a Bob Dancer post from around a year ago that addresses this; Bob recommends against it, even though he's never seen or heard of anyone getting into trouble over it (neither have we). Be sure to peruse the comments for the point-counterpoint, plus the exact language of Nevada Revised Statute 465.075 on the use or possession of a device, software, or hardware while playing the casino games. If you're unsure about the risks of doing so, this will help make up your mind.

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Comments

Donzack Dec-05-2024

Interpretation

As exact as the wording is in state law, interpretation is always part of it. I remember asking security at a Nevada casino if I could look at my cell phone while playing vp to help with a hand. He said so long as I don’t attempt to connect the device to the machine the casino doesn’t care. Like many laws that are not regularly enforced I think they’re used against higher end players to slow down the player. Obviously any casino doesn’t want anyone connecting to a machine. But maybe a high roller on a good run,a manager would at least like to interrupt his play. I think Dancer’s strategy cards are much faster and more convenient than pulling out the phone and punching in the hand. If you guys haven’t heard of someone being arrested, who has? At blackjack I can see it being used as a cheating device. I can picture Deniro smashing a phone with a dead blow hammer. I predict 20 comments.

Jon Miller Dec-05-2024

I don't think it has to do with cheating

I believe you can use a "basic strategy" card/grid as you play blackjack.   If I'm wrong someone correct me.   As far as "cheating", even playing basic strategy the casino has an advantage.  The only thing they care about is stopping card counting and related "cheating".   I think the phone bans are more about people slowing up play, etc. so that eliminates that distraction.   And. as mentioned, not wanting video taken via phone, without permission.

Llew Dec-05-2024

Cellphone at BJ

Several years ago, I sat at a BJ table in Delaware. As it had been a while since I had played the game, I brought up a basic strategy screen on my phone.
Oops! Seems that was a no-no. I was told that the same strategy card - physical not digital- was ok. But the exact strategy on a phone was verboten.

Brent Dec-05-2024

Legal Opinion (Not Advice)

I am a lawyer, but not in Nevada and not specializing in criminal or gaming law. You should not rely on what I'm about to say.

With regard to NRS 465.075 and video poker, it seems clear to me that the statute was not written with VP-assisting smartphone apps in mind (or even considered to be in the realm of possibility). But the language of the law strongly seems to encompass that scenario.

There is some potential ambiguity in the statute that a good criminal defense attorney could exploit, but I wouldn't hang my hopes on that.

Although I think it's absurd that you can use a strategy card but not an app, I personally would never chance using an app to analyze a VP hand--or call a friend to have them do it for me.

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