Ø  In projecting the outcome of the game;

Ø  In keeping track of the cards played;

Ø  In analyzing the probability of the occurrence of an event relating to the game; or

Ø  In analyzing the strategy for playing or betting to be used in the game, except as permitted by the commission.

I am not a lawyer, but it would appear this is a violation unless the gaming commission has specifically permitted it. Now, is it a scam? Well, if it were used for the purposes of preferential shuffling, I would say clearly yes as stated on the preferential shuffling page.

Now the question is, is this device used for this purpose? I have read that the company claims that there is a delay in the counting such that it cannot be used for this purpose. However, the MindPlay site says nothing about this delay nor does the MindPlay advertising flyer. In fact, the only time-based terms used are “real time,” “as it happens” and “instant analysis.” These terms do not suggest any delays. The site itself does not suggest that the device be used for preferential shuffling. But clearly a device built with capabilities to read cards as they are played, to count the cards, and to report instantly a player’s skill level could be built to advise the dealer when to shuffle away shoes advantageous to the player.

May 2005 Update:

It has been reported that the attorney for the Nevada Gaming Commission has announced that MindPlay has been approved by Gaming, but subject to at least two significant restrictions:

1.               No information regarding the balance of the undealt cards can be available to the casino until the shuffle point is reached.

2.               Any information regarding the “count” of the cards is subject to an eight-hand delay.

This is good news, as some of the bothersome aspects have been found illegal in Nevada. Now the question becomes one of enforcement. Will the casinos follow the dictates and not use the marked cards to cheat the players? And, what about non-Nevada casinos?

 © 2009 Norman Wattenberger