Part I: Card Game Cheating · DEALER COLLUSION TECHNIQUES

Hole Carding / First Basing / Spooking

How it works

Hole carding is the technique of trying to see the dealer’s hole card when they check for blackjack. “First basing” involves sitting in the first base position and peeking at the hole card when the dealer lifts it to check. “Spooking” involves a partner positioned away from the table (sometimes behind the dealer) who can see the hole card and signals the information to the player. “Front-loading” involves observing the hole card as it is slid under the upcard. These techniques take advantage of sloppy dealer technique in checking or placing hole cards.

Where it appears

Blackjack

On the record

In 1984, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled in State v. Einbinder and Dalben that first-basing (peeking at the dealer’s hole card from the first base position) was LEGAL because the players were lawfully seated, used no artificial devices, and simply used powers of observation. However, spooking (using a partner not at the table) remains in a legal gray area in many jurisdictions.

Published as a detection reference for surveillance, compliance and gaming-operations professionals. Thresholds and tuning are set by the property. Nothing here is instruction — the method is described so it can be recognised.