Cover

It is said that one of the great advantages of shuffle tracking is that cover is “automatic.” That is, you will not be betting or playing hands like a typical counter. Personally, I am always wary of claims that any cover can be automatic. It is certainly true that a card counter observing a shuffle tracker would not see him raise bets on high counts or make plays correctly. However, there are still signs:

Ø  The tracker will insure with big bets out, like a counter. This is a clear sign of advantage play. Insuring all Blackjacks can help. See page 141 for more on insurance cover. Fortunately, you do not take insurance that often, thus reducing the need for insurance cover with short sessions. Nevertheless, shuffle trackers insure more often than card counters since they manipulate the count.

Ø  Trackers will vary play on the same hands as counters. See page 144 for cover plays. 16 vs. 10 is a sensitive hand because it occurs so often. Always standing may make sense.

Ø  Trackers jump their bets even more than counters. You may wish to start increasing the bet gradually before the Play Zone. However, with a small PZ this is expensive.

Ø  Regularly increasing the bet at the same point in the shoe may look suspicious. You can cut good slugs to different points. But this complicates play and can increase the error rate.

Ø  Regularly going after the cut card may raise suspicions. Try to avoid this when the pit is watching. It is less obvious to surveillance.

Ø  As pointed out in the cover chapter, learn to observe a point while moving your head. Players normally do not stare at the shuffle. However, you must observe the shuffle to ensure the dealer does not add any card movement to make up for a badly sized grab.

Keep in mind, although it is more difficult to identify a tracker than a counter, the penalty for a tracker is worse since there exist fewer trackable tables and the scouting and analysis will have been wasted if you are barred from playing. Of course, you can pass on the information to others.

 © 2009 Norman Wattenberger