Question of the Day - 17 August 2024

No. This is not only not be allowed at a blackjack table, it will get the computer operator good and busted on a category B felony charge of cheating at gambling, punishable by 1-6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. At least in Nevada and Mississippi. 

Nevada statute 465.075 holds that it is unlawful for any person at a licensed gaming establishment to use, or possess with the intent to use, any device to assist in: projecting the outcome of the game; keeping track of the cards played; analyzing the probability of the occurrence of an event relating to the game; or analyzing the strategy for playing or betting to be used in the game, except as permitted by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

That's clear enough. No devices, period. The statute doesn't define devices, but computers are known to qualify. 

Now, how does that relate to the computer used at the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event? 

Friends of this year's champion, Jonathan Tamayo, were on the rail, coaching him during the final table and using a poker "solver," software that analyzes play. The rules about this are ambiguous and a determination has yet, as of this writing, to be made about it. That has fueled a controversy that is tarnishing the legitimacy of the winner.  

For an interesting look at it if you missed it a couple of weeks ago when we posted the vlog, Anthony and Andrew, along with Blair Rodman (co-author of our book on poker-tournament strategy, Kill Phil, and a World Series of Poker gold-bracelet winner) and Frank B (a tournament expert and one of the greatest gambling minds in the world), examine the situation in a dynamic four-way discussion, all giving their opinions on how it should be handled by the World Series of Poker management.