The threat from RFID

[zoomie]

Assume that you are playing rated. What is the RFID threat? Obviously if the table is wired to capture both cards played and every bet, we have a problem. But, if the table does not capture the cards, the count is not kept electronically. Thus, the store can measure only bet size movements, and what does that mean? Some ploppies jump their bets around pretty wildly. Plus, don't most of us play gently when rated, for comps in a favorite hotel, and we only pound a place when anonymous?

 

[zengrifter]

Obviously if the table is wired to capture both cards played and every bet, we have a problem. But, if the table does not capture the cards, the count is not kept electronically. Thus, the store can measure only bet size movements, and what does that mean? Some ploppies jump their bets around pretty wildly.

Correct. zg

 

[moo321]

The only threat, right now, is to purple chip counters at large strip casinos.

I don't think it will ever be economical for a casino to stop counting with this approach.

 

[zoomie]

The only threat, right now, is to purple chip counters at large strip casinos.

I don't think it will ever be economical for a casino to stop counting with this approach.

What are the economics of RFID chips?

 

[Automatic Monkey]

RFID has been used mostly for comping and for chip inventory control. I suppose it could also be used to indicate large bet variation which would alert a human investigator to observe someone's play in a large casino. But it should be easy to fake out, and the ability to fake out a RFID comping system produces a whole new form of AP.

 

[zengrifter]

I don't think it will ever be economical for a casino to stop counting with this [RFID] approach.

Its already starting. zg

 

[zengrifter]

...the ability to fake out a RFID comping system produces a whole new form of AP.

Next generation comp-counting = RFID counting. zg

 

[StudiodeKadent]

RFID chips prevent comp-counting rather than card-counting per se. They can track the exact amount you bet and how many hands you play per hour, so delaying tactics do not help (except to lengthen your play session and number of free drinks).

Saying game protection methods are ultimately uneconomical often doesn't make sense to casinos. CSMs are obscenely expensive and can only be used on the lowest limit tables, and an ASM/Shoe gives a similar boost in game speed (and simply lowering penetration to 66% provides an increase in game protection) all with much lower costs to the casino.

In short, paranoia over the effects of card counters has led to irrational levels of hysteria over game protection.

This is why you can't assume casinos won't stoop to the level of tracking every card. Hell, it already exists; its called MindPlay tables.

 

[zengrifter]

This is why you can't assume casinos won't stoop to the level of tracking every card. Hell, it already exists; its called MindPlay tables.

Mindplay is an optical-based system.
There are non-optical systems too. zg

 

[blackjackomaha]

Mindplay is an optical-based system.
There are non-optical systems too. zg

Would Shuffle Master's iTable be considered an optical-based system then, since it tracks everything (cards, bets, etc)? One of the stores around here started testing a BlackJack iTable at the $5 level.

 

[21forme]

Here's another example of RFID in action: (Dead link: http://www.snow.com/epicmix/home.aspx?cmpid=PARMX00001)

The user side of the web site isn't implemented yet, but they are tracking where one skis from RFID in the ski pass being monitored at each lift. Be interesting to see what data they've collected once it goes online, in a few weeks.