Gaming Guru

In Which States Can't Casinos Bar Good Players?

Dear Frank:

Good Morning!

I have read your book Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution, and I can't wait to try it out. I do have a question, In the videos you did on "Video Jug" (www.videojug.com/interview/blackjack-2) where you answer our gambling questions, you mention that in New Jersey casinos cannot throw you out or bar you from playing blackjack because you are card counting.

I'm just wondering, do you know which other states this is the case in? Is it true In Illinois or Indiana?

Thanks!

Carmine

Dear Carmine:

I am not that familiar with the laws of all the states but the only state that I know of which doesn't allow the casinos to ban you is New Jersey. A great card counter, Ken Uston, took the casinos to the New Jersey Supreme Court and won a ruling that it was illegal to ban a player simply because he was good at a game.

Of course, the Atlantic City casinos don't need to ban players since they can tell a player he can't bet more than a certain amount; they can shuffle the cards after every hand or put the cut card midway through the shoe. They can also refuse you comps.

Casinos don't like to lose money to skillful players even if those players' expectations are to win very little. Interestingly enough a multi-billion dollar industry trembles at the thought of a lone card counter winning a few hundred dollars. So it goes.

For your excellent letter I am giving you a free week on my private, members-only site at www.goldentouchcraps.com . We have over 5,000 members on this site and the discussions are lively, informative and fun.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete