Why Do They Always Change Dealers When I'm Winning?

I hear this question frequently, as some people tend to think that when they are winning, the casino tries to "mess them up", by doing various things known as applying "heat"... one of the most common being switching the dealer.  In most cases, this simply isn't true.

Most likely what you are witnessing is a scheduled change.  Table games dealers usually get 20 minutes of break-time for every 60 minutes they're on the game.  Depending on the casino and assuming a single dealer for your game (unlike Craps or Baccarat that require more than one dealer), you may see a different dealer every 20 minutes, or one dealer who is there for 60-minute intervals while a second is only there for 20-minute intervals.

Still not convinced?

If you're witnessing a change that you think is not conforming to the above schedule, there are still other explanations.  Sometimes dealers return late from break... perhaps they were eating or something.  Other times, dealers have a restroom emergency.  There are occasions when dealers are being sent home and shuffling of the staff is necessary because not all of the dealers are able to deal the same games.  There are many legitimate reasons for an unscheduled dealer change.

Furthermore, unless it somehow bothers you psychologically, changing dealers doesn't really do anything.  In Blackjack, dealers are typically required to burn a card when coming on to the game, but this can keep a hot shoe hot as frequently as it can turn a hot shoe cold.

However...

I won't lie... I have seen at least one casino try and change the current trend of the table by switching dealers.  This was not my perception or opinion... I heard it straight from the supervisor in charge of the decision who believed that he could "change the shoe" (so that the casino would win) by switching the dealers.  But this happened in a very small casino with a very superstitious manager.  I'm not trying to justify it, or say that it happens frequently in small casinos, I'm just saying that the world isn't perfect.  There's probably a good chance that you will never see something like this happen in the casino you visit.

I think it's fair to assume that most successful casinos (even the small ones) see the big picture.  Your short-term wins are okay because it may lead to your long-term business.  They're not changing dealers to try and jinx you... it's just a part of normal operations.  They won't jeopardize your loyalty by trying to "break your mojo".

Do you have a topic or question related to casino gaming that you'd like to see discussed on this blog?  Send me an email at FogOfGambling@gmail.com and let me know!

Why is the Stickman Messing With My Dice?

Some people have asked why the stickman on a craps game sometimes messes with the dice before he sends them to the shooter.  Could this be because they are trying to jinx you and mess you up?

Nope.  What you could be witnessing is a security measure so that the boxperson can check if the dice are legit.  In a process known as "squaring the dice", the stickman is supposed to bring the dice in front of the boxperson (hopefully the same way they landed), flip them over so the bottom is now face up, and then angle the dice so that the boxperson can see two sides of each die facing him.  The other two sides of each die can be seen in the mirror that lines the wall underneath the stickman.  By doing this, the boxperson will have seen all six sides of each die.  This is typically done after the come-out roll.

"How does checking the sides help find weighted, or other kinds of fixed dice?"

Other security features can be built into dice to prevent dice switching.  Dice have what you can think of as serial numbers on them, but a casino logo can also be on the dice as well as a single letter printed on the reverse side of one of the white pips.  If there's any doubt about the dice, there are die calipers that they can use to make sure they are balanced.  I'm sure there are other security features as well.

"You said they only square the dice after the come-out roll, but sometimes I see the stickman play with the dice even if it's not after the come-out roll."

That's right.  The stickman is also supposed to avoid sending the dice on the totals of 2, 3, 7, 11 and 12 (known as naturals).  The only reason for this is to accommodate superstitious players... of which there are plenty on Craps.  If you're a dice setter, sometimes the stickman will recognize this and set them for you before sending them out.  But he/she will only do this if it is allowed, there is time to do it, knows how you set the dice, and if you're nice to them.

Do you have a topic or question related to casino gaming that you'd like to see discussed on this blog?  Send me an email at FogOfGambling@gmail.com and let me know!