An Intro to Roulette Game Security

Intro to Game Security and Table Protection

In an industry full of games, table protection is just one more game... The game of Cat and Mouse. The only way to win is for the dealer to continuously improve their dealing skills. Learn as much as possible, grow, evolve, and level up to make it easier to catch the cheaters and scammers with their ever changing yet creative schemes. The best thing a dealer can do is learn from their experiences and share what they learned with other people in the industry.

Cheaters will commonly survey casinos as they check out the competency level of the staff. This is called “Shopping the Store”. In order to avoid being a target, dealers must learn as much education about dealing the game as possible and apply what they have learned to their everyday tasks. Nobody wants a reputation of being an easy target. In order to improve and grow, one must never stop ingesting knowledge. Besides watching our video series on how to deal roulette, you can also go to our website, vegas-aces.com and read our articles. We have instruction manuals from casinos and schools around the world that will help you learn and grow.

Other methods of learning include attending training seminars, join forums, study surveillance, pick the brain and talk with more experienced dealers or floor supervisors about what they know, and read books, such as American Roulette by Richard Marcus.

The most important thing you can do as a dealer is to follow all of your casino’s policies and procedures at all times. If every dealer is doing the same thing, over and over again, it will be obvious when an unusual action occurs. This uniform motion makes it easier for the floor supervisor or the eye-in-the-sky to spot anything strange, as this will stick out like a sore thumb. Every action performed by a dealer requires a specific motion. These motions have been standardized in order to bring another degree of protection to the game. Everything a dealer does must be clean and clear cut. This “readability” and “orderliness” helps the eye-in-the-sky and management to do their job with ease. Especially when the floor is in the center of the pit, watching 4 to 8 games at a time. If everything is done clearly, it is easier for the floor supervisor to “read” the game.

Past Posting is one of the most common forms of cheating on a Roulette game. That is why casinos know Roulette as the Past Poster’s Garden of Eden. Past Posting is when the player makes a bet or alters an established bet after a winner has already been determined, in order to receive a higher payout. Past-Posting originates from horse racing where a bugler sounds a "call to the post" just before the race begins. This is also the signal that no more bets can be taken. Any bets made after that time occur after or past "the post".

Players normally try this move after the ball just dropped and when the dealer has tunnel vision while looking at the roulette wheel, or when they have their back turned in order to get the first payout. Dealers should refrain from losing focus during this crucial time of the game. This cannot be stated enough, the dealer should never turn their back on the roulette table or the bank. When the ball is dropping, the dealer should stay square with the game by taking a few steps back and angle their body in a way that they can see both the wheel and the table at the same time. Always walk your game. The dealer should never have any part of the table blocked from view at any time. Be aware of anything that may take your attention away from the game. Answering questions, providing change or helping people should be done after all bets have been paid and before the ball has been spun. Don’t casino gaze, even on a dead game. Your attention should always be on the table and not watching the televisions that are placed above the bar.

Past posters like to make higher denomination moves during busy times. This allows them to blend in more easily and gives the floor less time to closely examine questionable wagers. The cheaters will adjust their betting amount based on the table limit and how much action is normally tolerated by the staff. The cheater tries to make it appear as an “honest mistake” because then there’s less of a chance that surveillance is brought into it. If the dealer believes it’s his own mistake, he might fix it without calling over the floor. This is why dealers should never fix their own mistakes, no matter how insignificant they think it is. The dealer must always call the floor to fix any mistakes that were made on the table. Past-posting moves are more likely to be detected if floor supervisors and dealers follow procedures and check questionable wagers or incidents.

Another common tactic that players will use is the “Snatch and Run” technique. This unsophisticated approach is a low bar that is still quite effective and can be used on any game. As soon as the player realizes that they have lost, they will grab their cash or chips and sprint out of the casino, hoping to get far enough away before security realizes what has happened. This is one of the reasons why you will see security posted at every entrance. One of the ways you can prevent this from happening on your roulette table is to focus on the bets furthest away from the dealer in spots that are most vulnerable, such as the outside bets. When completing the Take-and-Pay procedure, the dealer will collect all of the lost wagers on the columns first, followed by the lost even money bets, then the dozens, and last but not least, all of the inside bets. The reason why is because if a player is going to snatch their lost bet and run, they’re going to do so with the bet that’s closest to them and furthest from the dealer. If a player does this at your table, immediately notify your floor supervisor that you have a snatch and run. They will contact security, who will then go after the perpetrator.

Another vulnerable area that the dealer needs to be aware of is the wheel. Always remain alert and keep an eye on your wheel. Take note if a player is hovering over the wheel or leaning against the glass. This glass is there to protect the roulette wheel from anyone trying to mess with the ball or the wheel. If you see a player doing this, politely ask them to move aside or to stand near the table instead. Players are not allowed to stand next to the wheel, lean against the glass, or hover over the wheel as they may be trying to interfere with the spin of the ball.

As you are dealing roulette, here are a few more things to look out for. When spinning the ball, if you notice any dents, grooves, or cuts in the roulette wheel, notify management immediately. Another thing that may interfere with spinning the ball, is if you are wearing large bralettes or excessive jewelry. As a casino dealer, you want to wear a minimal amount of jewelry as possible. Excessive jewelry is not permitted and there should be no jewelry on the hand that spins the ball. Also be aware that, when making change, do not allow any transaction to take place over the wheel head or on the wheel. If you ever have any doubts or suspicions about a player or the moves they are making, notify your floor supervisor. Do not argue with a player, instead call your floor supervisor immediately. When closing up the table, alert the floor that you are bringing up the lid. Do not let the bankroll out of sight. Pick up the lid while still looking at your bankroll.