Part I: Card Game Cheating · Collusion & Electronic Cheating at Card Games

Scam #44: Bet Capping / Pressing

How it works

A specific form of past posting where a player adds additional chips to an existing winning bet after the outcome is known, making it appear the larger bet was always in place. The cheater may distract the dealer with conversation, a tip gesture, or other misdirection while adding chips. They may also knock over their bet stack and “rebuild” it with extra chips hidden in their hand. The goal is to increase payout on hands the player already knows they’ve won.

Where it appears

Blackjack, all table games

On the record

Bet capping is frequently combined with past posting as part of a repertoire of cheating moves. Professional cheats often work in teams where one player distracts while another caps bets. Side bets are particularly vulnerable since they are smaller and receive less attention from dealers and supervisors.

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.