Questions arise from time to time on the use of Blackjack card counting computers, like Casey, or George, in a casino. These devices date back to David, built by Keith Taft in 1971. The following is from Nevada Senate Bill 467 signed into law in 1985:

The penalty for the first offense is 1 to 10 years, up to $10,000, or both. The second offense includes mandatory imprisonment. I believe Keith Taft’s son was convicted for cheating for using such devices even before this law was passed. Casinos will no longer cut your fingers off. But if you are caught with a Blackjack computer in a casino — you will find that they have no sense of humor.

Ken Uston is often quoted in discussions of Blackjack computers. It is important to understand that his experience was before this law was signed. Uston later said that you might as well bring a gun and rob the casino since the penalty is about the same.

Mississippi, New Jersey and Colorado have similar laws.

It should also be pointed out that the design and technology in these computers is generally very old. Many important developments have occurred since. Not only is it legal, but you will actually see better results by leaving the Blackjack computer at home and using your brain. Note also that use of the machines is not trivial. It takes substantial practice to master entry of the cards. It’s much simpler to count, in my mind. Practice and analysis on a computer is still legal. Just keep it out of the casinos.

Update: In 2009, an iPhone application was offered for sale as a card-counting device. This application is reported to use card counting instead of perfect combinatorial analysis used by some of the prior computers. I have not examined the application, but it has been reported that it also miscalculates the true count by ignoring neutral cards. It appears to be inferior to human counting while possibly violating the law in many jurisdictions.

 © 2009 Norman Wattenberger