If you are considering going to Las Vegas soon, you’re probably wondering if there’s any way to do it beat the system and maximize your winner.
The real answer is “no” – but that doesn’t stop people from sharing their gambling tips across the internet. Sometimes these tips have less to do with winning and more to do with getting the most out of your experience. For example, there are many guides on the web on how to get as many free drinks as possible while playing.
Often, however, guides simply warn players what to look for and how to be sure they are at a winning table. This woman sat down at a losing table – then overheard the dealer say a phrase that made her think something else was up.
What happened at this Las Vegas Blackjack table?
In a video with over 67,000 views, TikTok user Hannah Sturtevant (@hannahlarkins) says something strange happened while she was playing at a blackjack table in Las Vegas.
“I was playing blackjack and nobody tipped the dealer,” she begins. “I tipped the dealer, and she says out loud, ‘Oh, my God. That’s the first tip I’ve gotten from this table.'”
While Sturtevant describes the situation as “uncomfortable,” she says she understood what happened.
“Everybody was just, like, constantly losing. So typically when people lose, they don’t want to tip,” she explains.
Eventually, another person came to replace the original dealer. It was at this point that something strange happened.
“(The original dealer) leans into (the new dealer) and she says, ‘You know what to do,'” the TikToker recalls. “I don’t know what that means, but I thought it was very cool.”
What’s going on here?
Given how much money is at stake in a casino – and how superstitious some players can be – Sturtevant’s suspicions are understandable.
That said, there is no evidence of foul play in this story alone. In fact, TikToker’s story feels pretty normal for a casino.
For context, casino dealers general trade between 40 minutes and an hour before takes a 20 minute break.
During their working hours, they typically receive tips, known in the industry as “tokes.” For blackjack, that Lock Wayseam Examine Journal suggests to give “a few dollars for every blackjack you’re dealt or for winning multiple hands in a row.” Tips are often higher when playing at a higher limit table.
Since dealers often expect tips, it’s not surprising that the dealer was happy to receive one — even if her reaction was a bit over the top.
Why did the dealer say that?
As for the “You know what to do” message, it’s a bit bizarre on the surface. Still, there is nothing inherently wrong with what the dealer said.
For example, if the new dealer heard about the table’s bad tipping behavior, the dealer could simply ask the new dealer to bring up the energy in hopes of getting a tip.
It could also simply be a casino superstition. If players think the dealer is “cold”—as in, no one wins at the table—switching to a new dealer is thought to change the players’ luck, even if the odds remain the same. The dealer may simply refer to this idea or make a joke out of it.
Finally, it should be noted that any idea that the casino or dealer rigged the game can probably be dismissed outright. Although technically possible, the casino already has an advantage in blackjack. The Las Vegas Review-Journal say the house edge in 3:2 blackjack is 0.5%, while the house edge in 6:5 blackjack is 2%.
While these numbers may seem small, given enough time, players and money, things can add up quickly. According to data from Nevada Gaming Control Boardblackjack tables on the Las Vegas Strip bring in an average of about $2,500 per day.
Users are suspicious
In the comments section, users shared their suspicions about what Sturtevant overheard.
“Dealers also realize if we keep losing we can’t tip lol,” wrote one user. “But I tested it myself with 1 deck of cards. You’d be surprised how many times I would get 21 as a dealer to myself even after shuffling constantly. They made this game specifically knowing that.”
“They are being taught how to manipulate the cards,” declared another. “There are odds in everything in life, which includes cards. If you go by the odds, the dealer shouldn’t win every hand for 30 minutes straight, and yet it happens.”
That said, others argued that any trickery or foul play was unlikely.
“He could’ve been new. I don’t know, it’s weird. I used to deal blackjack at Caesars and the camera is watching us so fooled, it’s actually creepy,” said one user.
“That means the new dealer will pick up the pace and trade faster. The more hands they push out, the faster you lose. It’s just math. No tip, no entertainment,” shared a second.
BroBible reached out to Sturtevant via email and direct message on Instagram.
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