Thursday, October 16, 2014

ESPN: "Where is the ethical line between advantage play and cheating?"

"[N]o one should feel extreme sympathy for losing gamblers. In all cases, they have no one to blame but themselves, as they could have walked away at any time. They are complicit in this transaction."
But casinos also have an obligation in this agreement. They get to create the game and set the rules -- all of the rules. They can refuse service to you. They can kick you out. They can change the rules of the game. They have all the power. What they don't ever say explicitly is that in their minds, part of this agreement is that you (the gambler) will lose.

So when someone figures out how to beat the game that they created, how can that be unethical? (read the whole thing)

3 comments:

ricpic said...

One thing I've never understood is why casinos bounce card counters. The discipline required to be a card counter is so far beyond the capacity of most gamblers that even when those few who are capable of card counting win it's small potatoes by casino standards.

Unknown said...

With these details in his favor, Ivey was able to read the manufacturer's markings on the cards and win millions from two casinos playing baccarat.

I'm curious as to what are the markings?

I don't gamble, so I no clue.

Amartel said...

Card counters aren't cheaters but that doesn't mean the casino can't refuse them service.