What does the casino do when the table gets hot?

[Alan Mendelson]

This question came up on another forum, and I would like to expand the question here:

Have you ever been at a table game when the game gets hot and the players win a lot of money and the casino loses a lot of money? If so (and hopefully you have) did the casino take any action?

For example:

1. If the craps table was hot did the pit boss change the dice?

2. If a blackjack table was hot, did the pit boss change the dealer when it was not the time for a change?

We've all heard stories about a "chip fill" coming to a craps table when the table was hot. The allegation was that the chip fill was requested to slow down the game, to break the pace of the shooter, and to cause the shooter to 7-out.

But in reality, chips have to be brought to the table if there is a hot roll because the bank may be low or even depleted -- with the chips in the rails of the players!

But if you think there have been deliberate attempts to change the pace of a game, or the flow of a game, by a casino manager tell us what happened and even name the casino.

I have been at casinos when there were hot hands at craps -- including hands when all six pass numbers were hit for Fire Bet payoffs. But I have never seen a floorman or pit boss change out the dice except when it was the normal, scheduled time to change the dice.

I have seen chip fills come to the table during a hot roll but I have seen the casino staff quickly take care of the chip fill either after a pass had been made, or without interrupting the flow of the game.

Personally, I don't believe that casinos think that by changing dice, changing dealers, or ordering chips, they can have any influence on the results of the game. But some players certainly believe that.

What do you believe?

[Count Room]

My craps shooting experience is limited to the late 90's & early 2000's, but I was once at Fitzgerald's in Reno and sauntered up to an empty craps table. Played green chips at the time, went on several "hot" rolls, and the table manager (boxman?) repeatedly checked the dice I was rolling before gently throwing the same two dice back onto the table. Nothing earth-shattering there, but he was extra alert for any possibility that I was loading the dice.

I had no blackjack troubles even when I was on extreme hot streaks, but I do personally know a couple of shuffle trackers that were 'shuffled up' on in two-deck games the instant they put out a large bet (even if it was the first hand if they were alone at the table).

I believe the casinos are only interested in blocking verifiable advantage table players. Isn't Scoblete freely allowed to roam the craps tables? If that is the case it goes to show that the casinos probably believe dice controllers don't even have an edge...so why would they worry about a temporary hot streak that is even less of an overall perceived threat?

Disclaimer: My overall experience is limited. Just felt like discussing it a little.

[bwana300]

in my experience at the craps table, the house will change the stick man more often when there is a hot roller.

[Alan Mendelson]

in my experience at the craps table, the house will change the stick man more often when there is a hot roller.

Thanks for joining us bwana300. When the casino changes the stickman, do the dealers at the table rotate for a "new stick" or does the casino bring in a new stick man from another table or the break room?

In Vegas the "normal rotation" is for the new dealer coming to the table to take the stick position first, and for the stickman to move to a "base" dealer position (on either side of the table).

[amish dude]

This question came up on another forum, and I would like to expand the question here:

Have you ever been at a table game when the game gets hot and the players win a lot of money and the casino loses a lot of money? If so (and hopefully you have) did the casino take any action?

For example:

1. If the craps table was hot did the pit boss change the dice?

2. If a blackjack table was hot, did the pit boss change the dealer when it was not the time for a change?

We've all heard stories about a "chip fill" coming to a craps table when the table was hot. The allegation was that the chip fill was requested to slow down the game, to break the pace of the shooter, and to cause the shooter to 7-out.

But in reality, chips have to be brought to the table if there is a hot roll because the bank may be low or even depleted -- with the chips in the rails of the players!

But if you think there have been deliberate attempts to change the pace of a game, or the flow of a game, by a casino manager tell us what happened and even name the casino.

I have been at casinos when there were hot hands at craps -- including hands when all six pass numbers were hit for Fire Bet payoffs. But I have never seen a floorman or pit boss change out the dice except when it was the normal, scheduled time to change the dice.

I have seen chip fills come to the table during a hot roll but I have seen the casino staff quickly take care of the chip fill either after a pass had been made, or without interrupting the flow of the game.

Personally, I don't believe that casinos think that by changing dice, changing dealers, or ordering chips, they can have any influence on the results of the game. But some players certainly believe that.

What do you believe?

stick changes are normal they occur every 20 minutes, dealers have to take brakes as required by law. Chip fills occur when the chip bank gets low. IE example at a Private table event here in Atlantic City
5 players buying in for a $1,000 each half way thru the event coordinators roll the casino did a chip fill he went on for another 20+ rolls for a hand of 43 toss's. The casino has to follow pro to call to keep the game moving smoothly.