int

How to Read Blackjack Dealers

girl dealer

The ability to read the face of the opponent and guess how strong his cards are is more important in games where gamblers play against each other. It is crucial in most types of poker, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha Poker. But such skills can also be helpful in some casino games.

Making Use of Blackjack Dealers

In many versions of blackjack, croupiers deal themselves two cards and open one of them. If this card is an ace or a ten, the dealer peeks at the second card to see whether a natural blackjack is in the hand. Of course, the players are not allowed to see that card.

But there is a chance that dealers can tell the card with their face expressions or gestures. If players can find such weaknesses of the dealer, they get a massive advantage in the game.

Of course, we cannot say that all dealers have such flaws. Moreover, the player may have to change several tables to find such a dealer. But if he can detect such a casino employee, his odds of winning increase immensely.

The ability to read opponents at the poker table sometimes makes professional poker players great masters of blackjack. They know how to read, memorize, and analyze every opponent's actions, movements, and subtle facial expressions. Their gaze is hidden behind dark glasses or under hoods. Blackjack dealers may not make any decisions because they follow strict rules, but extracting helpful information from how they look down at the cards is still possible.

This skill can hardly be considered fraud because the player does not violate any laws. The gambler does not use prohibited hardware, count cards, or peek at them. The use of this blackjack skill is just as legitimate as in poker.

If the dealer cannot do the job professionally, it is the casino's problem, not the player's.

Of course, casino managers might not agree with this statement.

How to Read Blackjack Dealers

You should pay attention to two significant points if you want to understand what card the dealer has.

  • First, notice how long he looks at the card.
  • Second, consider how much he bends the card, considering the denomination.

These two factors can provide you with a lot of helpful information.

If the dealer's down card is low value, he must bend it more to ensure it is not an ace. This is especially true when he has four, as it resembles the letter "A," which symbolizes aces. When it comes to an ace, the dealer will also try to ensure it by one hundred percent. Even experienced dealers sometimes do not want to take risks and bend the card to make its numerical or letter value visible. The newcomers in this job can recalculate the number of card characters.

Quite a different situation is with cards from jack to king. The dealer doesn't need to examine these cards closely because they are all equal to ten points. Therefore, dealers look at them quickly.

Watch the dealer. If it takes him more time to peek at some cards than others, or if he bends them at different angles, consider it.

Furthermore, analyze how he reacts to some cards. Memorize all nonstandard moments in his gestures and facial expressions, and try to correlate them with the cards that came to the dealer. It can manifest itself in situations where the dealer is psychologically unstable. For example, he is embarrassed by compliments, angry because of defeats, enjoys winning, and so on. In such conditions, not every person can hide their emotions.


Is It Easy to Read a Dealer?

Such games are pretty rare in casinos, and managers try to protect themselves from professional gamblers. In some casinos, dealers peek at their hole cards after the players have made decisions on all their hands. In other clubs, croupiers do not check their face-down cards at all.

Do not hesitate to share your experience and ask questions on the subject.

Frequently asked Questions

🔥 Why should you try to read a blackjack dealer?

Attempting to understand a dealer's subtle behaviors, often called "tells," can offer players a slight edge in their decision-making. While blackjack is fundamentally a game of probability, proponents of dealer reading suggest that unconscious mannerisms might offer clues about the dealer's downcard. However subtle and unreliable, this information could influence a player's choices regarding hitting, standing, doubling down, or splitting, potentially leading to more favorable outcomes over the long run. It's important to remember that any perceived tells are often unintentional and that dealers are trained to be as consistent as possible.

👩 What are some common types of dealer tells that players might look for?

Players who attempt to read dealers often focus on various subtle physical cues. These might include slight variations in how a dealer handles the cards during the deal, such as the speed or angle at which the downcard is placed. Some believe that a dealer might unconsciously linger slightly longer on a particular card or exhibit a minute change in facial expression or posture when a high or low card is dealt face down. Others look for patterns in how dealers interact with their chips or handle payouts, though these are less directly related to the unseen card. It’s crucial to understand that these observations are often fleeting and can be easily misinterpreted, and there is no definitive set of tells that consistently predict the downcard.

😎 How reliable is reading a dealer as a strategy in blackjack?

The reliability of reading a dealer in blackjack is a highly debated topic and is generally considered very low. Dealers are professionals who perform the dealing action countless times, making consistent and unconscious tells extremely difficult to maintain. Casinos also actively train dealers to minimize any predictable behaviors. While a player might occasionally feel they have discerned information from a dealer's actions, this is often attributed to chance or the player's biases in interpreting ambiguous cues. Relying heavily on perceived tells is generally not considered a sound blackjack strategy compared to understanding basic strategy and, for some, employing card counting techniques.

👮‍♂️ Are there any ethical considerations involved in trying to read a dealer?

Attempting to read a dealer is generally considered ethical play in a casino. Players observe publicly available actions and try to gain information, like observing opponents in a poker game. If a player does not engage in harassment, intimidation, or disruptive behavior toward the dealer, simply trying to pick up on subtle cues is typically accepted as part of the game. The focus should always remain on playing the game fairly and respectfully.

👨‍🎓 What is the best approach to reading dealers in blackjack?

The best approach for a player intrigued by reading dealers is cautious observation combined with a strong understanding of fundamental blackjack strategy. Begin by familiarizing yourself thoroughly with basic strategy, as this provides the mathematical foundation for optimal decision-making. If you then observe dealers, do so passively and without fixating on any perceived tell. Treat any insights gained as tentative and avoid making drastic changes to your strategy based solely on these observations. Remember that the house edge in blackjack primarily stems from the game's rules and probabilities, and a solid understanding of these principles will be far more beneficial than relying on potentially nonexistent tells.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

An expert in:
  • casino operations
  • management
  • gambling analytics
  • RTP
  • volatility
  • regulation
  • trends
  • reviews
  • editorial
  • expertise
Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
Write a comment
Typed 0 synbols, min 50, max 2000
Rate
You rated
0/10