Casino Cheating
Casinos offer the most excellent grounds for criminals to operate without getting noticed and caught, that is due to the fact that casinos host many people and numerous games, and in spite of all their highly sophisticated security measurements it is hard to keep track of the events going on in the casinos' territory, especially the on goings of con men, who are very careful for their actions. Where ever money changes hands there would someone trying to lift it.
The most common thieves present in casinos are pickpockets. Many times gamblers find themselves few chips shorter than what they thought they had. By no means is this just an accident, a "flop" of the mind, and criminals often use gamblers' unawareness to remove their "burden" in one second. I recommend using small plastic bags to save your chips, or perhaps put your chips in closable pocket, these measures will keep quick hands away from your money. Also, when you wonder between tables or slot machines don't let the luxuries lights and beverages of the casino trick your eyes, though it is their purpose. A sharp tailing mind would help with you both against thieves and in your bets. Pickpocket are not the only thing gamblers must avoid in their venture to the depths of the casinos, there are also the "chips coppers".
Chip Coppers are thieves who will try to snatch your chips from the table you play at. As I mentioned, casinos are usually packed with people and so do the tables thus creating the perfect opportunity for them to act. Some tables are safer than others, such as the table of blackjack, where the commotion is durable, or the roulette tables, where each player receives chips in different colors. The most dangerous table is probably the craps' tables. There the commotion is as much intense as it can get, with people cheering, drinks poured and the fixation of the crowd of gamblers on the rolling dice, which creates the perfect opportunity for any con man to act, while he's immersed by the unaware crowd.
Poker tables also place a fine platform for cheaters. While the old ways of cheating, such as keeping an ace up your sleeve, are long gone from casinos' tables, other methods are well practiced by criminals. Such ruse is pulled by two players that collaborate. Many tricks are used by poker players who "work" together, rest a sure that with some suspiciousness and alertness you'd pick up the signs for such conduct and act in time.
For each game there is a way to cheat the players, bear in mind that no casino is impervious to such harms, but keeping an eye to your surroundings will help steer away from danger.
Edi Wallas, editorial staff, 1.12.05
