Part IV: Financial Fraud · Internal Collusion & Employee Fraud

Scam #3: Dealer Hole-Card Peeking and Signaling

How it works

In casinos that still use manual peeking (without electronic hole-card readers), a dealer who peeks at their hole card when checking for blackjack gains valuable information. A dishonest dealer can convey this information to an accomplice through subtle signals. The most effective approach uses a simple binary signal: “Will I have to take at least one hit?” (i.e., does the dealer have a stiff hand 12-16, or a pat hand 17-21?). This minimal information gives the player a significant advantage without requiring an elaborate signaling system. Signals can include body positioning, hand placement, verbal inflections in normal conversation, or direction of gaze. For example, a dealer might stress the first syllable of “IN-surance?” to indicate a 10-value hole card, versus saying it quickly to indicate no 10-value card.

Where it appears

Blackjack tables where dealers manually peek at hole cards (less common in modern US casinos with hole-card readers, still prevalent in some jurisdictions internationally)

On the record

The 1997 Sands VP case involved dealer Laura Hernandez showing her hole card to VP Roger McElfresh. They were caught after 113 hands of cheating. Modern hole-card readers were specifically developed to eliminate this vulnerability.

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.