Table Games PB needs to "count the shoe"?

So, am I justified in having a little bit of noobie paranoia, or is this something that pit bosses do now and then?

About 2/3 way through the shoe, the PB comes up to the dealer and whispers "Let me know when the shoe is done". Dealer: "Huh?" PB: "Let me know when the shoe is done. I need to count it."

At the end of the shoe the PB takes the entire stack of cards and starts counting them.

I've never seen this happen before. Is this something they do now and then, or was this a form of 'heat'?

I hadn't been spreading my bets at all, really (going between $25-$50, and denominations in between), so my betting shouldn't have raised any suspicions. I did take insurance a couple of times, though (they didn't hit). And overall, I was down for the session. After the dealer said that, I went back to flat-betting $25 and colored up at the end of the shoe.

Thoughts?

 

The pit critter could have received a call from upstairs, or maybe he was suspicious about someone else at the table. He was checking to see if any cards were added........like Aces!

You can buy the same cards over at the gift shop, they mark them as used cards, but people still try to slip them in now and then.

The CSM's (constant shuffling machines) have this feature built into them to count the cards.

You were just paranoid.

 

Whew.

When I heard her say "I have to count the shoe", I immediately though "Oh sh!7! They know!"

But as I was driving home and reason kicked in, I started suspecting it was just paranoia.

I'm not a very good counter (just starting) and I was barely spreading. I know $25-$50 is *nothing*, though the other dude at the table was playing like an idiot, so I figure he wasn't under suspicion, either.

I was worried that my players card would be flagged at the casino chain, even though no on approached me.

Glad someone else thinks I don't need to worry.

I've just never see anyone pull a shoe to count it before.

 

He was counting the # of cards, which has nothing to do with your attempt at card counting. Out of curiosity, why did you take ins. 2 times? Also betting 25 or $50 is not spreading at all, that's basically flat betting.

 

That's what I thought -- that's why I was shocked when I heard the PC say something about 'counting'.

Noobie paranoia. I'm heading to vegas next week and was going to flip if this is all it took to get heat. heh.

 

maybe they just did not like the cut of your jib.

 

Obviously -- they were jealous because I was the best-dressed person in the place.

meaning that I was actually wearing a belt. heh.

 

If you were betting that much and still not hitting on insurance bets along with a bad player at same table...I'd say you are OK..could have been a new dealer or a regular inspection...I'm a little paranoid myself as a pro card counter..I pack a few different ballcaps and 2 different mustaches,one slightly reddish and one grayer toned to avoid the 'eye in the sky' at every casino I hit.I'm aware they exchange pix of players just like us..
I always crack though when the cute servers recognize me up close..busted but they are cool and stay quiet about my 'vacation'

 

Hah. Nice. I'm nowhere near your level, obviously. Just 'testing the waters' with the count thing and slowly bumping up my bets when the count turns nicer, but not high enough for any real AP (mostly just trying to minimize losses and work some comps -- and I like playing and the challenge of having a second task). I just don't want to get my card flagged before I have any real fun.

The other guy at the table was a hoot. He took up about 5min of the table's time by trying to figure out if he should order his gin+tonic with or without cranberry. It was a major existential question for him and provided a nice little break for the rest of us.

Then he proceeded to hit his 13 vs dealer 6 <shrug>

 

Hey, it's important to have priorities!

 

and a non stretchy shirt with those fancy buttons on it.

 

You have nothing to worry about Dr..glad you got the joke..
but remember that hit on 13 changes the shoe and sometimes in your favor!
Best wishes next trip!!

 

There was a rumor that one of the casinos in Canada (Blue Herron in Ontario) had been removing some of the 10's from their autoshuffle machine. It was just a rumor but it spread and next thing you know management is constantly checking (or pretending to check).

The reality is there was probably some moment an hour earlier where a couple of cards left the table and they had to follow protocal and be sure.

 

Just buy pants that fit and you won't need a belt. :Þ