What Do Pit Bosses Do about Players in Hoodies and Sunglasses

If a player shows up at a blackjack table (or poker, craps, etc.) wearing a hoodie and/or sunglasses, would the pit boss ask them to remove them?

[Editor's Note: This answer is graciously supplied by our favorite floor supervisor, Andrew Uyal, former advantage player and author of our popular The Blackjack Insiders. ]

As with a lot of things that have to do with casinos, and casino staff specifically, this is pretty subjective. If the staff follows the letter of the law, they’ll ask a player to remove sunglasses or take down a hood. If they’re paying attention, and feeling up to having that conversation, that’s how it should go.

The hood is straightforward and sticks out like a sore thumb. Most staff, not just in the pit, but security and slots. will politely ask a hooded player to take it off. But every once in a while, someone makes it complicated. Lately, it’s been fairly common to see someone come in with a “facemask” that looks eerily similar to a ski mask. It covers the nose, mouth, and all the way over the top of the head, leaving only the eyes visible.

Two years ago, that would be an immediate deal breaker and for the record, it still should be. The play here would be to ask the guest to remove the head portion of the mask and offer one of the company-supplied masks if they’d prefer that. But being a subjective business, sometimes it’s let go, because it doesn’t violate the facemask portion of the rules.

Sunglasses used to be an easy thing to deal with too. No longer. Now the response is almost always that they're prescription. If you have your heart set on wearing your red-tinted Ray Bans at the table, that’s the response that will in all likelihood allow you to do it. There’s not a lot the staff can do besides test them out, which I have yet to see anyone do.

It’s worth noting to the APs out there that this will likely attract unnecessary frustration from the supervisor. Even though they might allow you to continue wearing them, they’re more likely to be suspicious of why you want to keep your sunglasses on than if you just remove them when you sit down or when asked. Especially if it’s a pair of shades that’s obviously not prescription. My advice is it’s not worth the confrontation and attention.

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Comments

Donzack Nov-22-2021

Uncover

Anytime I walk into any building I take off any headgear and sunglasses. Especially in a bank or casino. That should be enforced at the entrance.

jay Nov-22-2021

Fashion Police

A hoodie and glasses might be appropriate for the poker table to rein in any "tells" but its not appropriate for blackjack when your playing against a dealer. I would even think that a poker player should walk in sans, hat, hoodie, glasses and only then put on their git when the game starts. You should know who your playing against, thats just basic respect.

While I fervently disagree that counting is cheating those that have been caught, and warned, that they are not allowed to play could be trying to conceal their identity. As a general punter it also makes me feel a bit unsafe as it strikes me that this person could easily get violent emboldened by the fact that he/she is anonymous or if they happened to be a bit more dexterous and helped themselves to my chips, wallet, or other belongings then the eye in the sky would be useless in the recovery.

jay Nov-22-2021

The Mark

I also remember reading about a case where one player was marking the edge of cards by rubbing a substance that could only be detected with special polarized glasses - regular polarized glasses would not show up but ones tuned to a specific polarization would. 

I think the marker and the reader were never at the table at the same time. I can't remember which one got caught.

In the Canadian version of black jack the dealer is not dealt his last card until after the players have all completed their play. This minimizes takes this kind of advantage as the player does not know if his hand is going to beat the dealer, or if he should surrender etc. 

There has been much scrutiny of sun glasses ever since.

Eileen Nov-22-2021

Table Game Attire

Casinos should have a dress code for table games that doesn't allow hoodies and sunglasses.  If they're prescription and needed, the person should have to show proof.  Get with the program or don't play.  Like many other things, too many people are cut too much slack.

Question of the Day - 22 November 2021

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