Casinos have always fascinated both players and cheaters. Numerous cheating stories have shaped the history of gambling, some so ingenious that they nearly managed to fool even the most vigilant casinos. This article explores the most famous cheating scandals, their sophisticated methods, and the consequences they triggered.
Joseph Jagger and the unbalanced roulette (1873)
In 1873, Joseph Jagger, a businessman in the textile industry, discovered that one of the roulette wheels at the Monte Carlo Casino was unbalanced. This flaw caused the ball to land more frequently on certain numbers. With a team of assistants, he observed and recorded roulette results over several days. He then identified that one of the tables had a significant bias.
Exploiting this flaw, Jagger began placing bets on the numbers most likely to come up, accumulating massive winnings. Within a few days, he managed to pocket the equivalent of 3 million CAD in today’s money. Jagger became famous for “breaking the bank at Monte Carlo,” a term referring to winning all the money available on a gaming table.
This cheating method marked the beginning of systematic attempts to exploit mechanical imperfections in casino equipment.
The MIT Blackjack Team and card counting (1979)
In 1979, a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) discovered they could use card counting to increase their chances of winning at blackjack. Card counting involves tracking high and low cards that have already been played to determine the probabilities of the remaining cards.
The students formed a team, underwent rigorous training, and practised disguising their behaviours during counting. They developed a sophisticated system of signals and communication to coordinate their efforts without raising suspicion. Supported by anonymous investors, the team travelled to Las Vegas and won $400,000 CAD in a single weekend.
Over the following years, they earned nearly $5 million CAD. Unable to prove cheating, casinos eventually banned team members and implemented new security measures to detect card counting. This story inspired the movie “21”.
Marked cards and contact lenses (2011)
In 2011, three Italians attempted to cheat the Barrière Casino in Cannes using a deck of marked cards. They marked strategic cards (such as kings and aces) with invisible ink. To read the markings, they wore special contact lenses that made the ink visible.
Thanks to this method, they could identify key cards and adjust their strategy accordingly. In just a few hours, they managed to win 20,000 CAD at poker. However, their unusual winnings caught the attention of casino managers, who began closely monitoring their activities. The cheaters were quickly exposed, arrested, and sentenced to prison terms for fraud.
The international gang and hidden mini-cameras (2004)
In 2004, a Franco-Lebanese-Romanian trio used hidden mini-cameras to film dealers and spy on their opponents’ hands in 32 different casinos. The cameras were concealed in their clothing sleeves, transmitting real-time footage of the dealer’s cards to an accomplice outside the casino.
The accomplice analyzed the footage and relayed instructions to the cheaters via discreet earpieces. This method allowed them to win nearly 100,000 CAD. However, their suspicious behaviour eventually raised the casino staff’s concerns. During one of their sessions, they were caught red-handed, arrested, and later convicted of fraud and conspiracy.
Gonzalo Pelayo and roulette (1990s)
In the 1990s, Gonzalo Pelayo, a Spaniard passionate about gambling, decided to follow in the footsteps of Joseph Jagger. With the help of his family, he studied roulette wheels in various casinos to detect flaws. They spent weeks analyzing roulette results to identify the numbers that appeared most frequently.
Pelayo discovered that certain roulette wheels had biases that could be exploited to increase the chances of winning. Using this method, he began placing strategic bets and won approximately 1.5 million CAD in various European and American casinos, including those in Madrid, Vienna, Copenhagen, London, and Las Vegas. Casinos, suspecting cheating but unable to prove fraud, launched legal proceedings against Pelayo. However, he was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing and kept his winnings.
The Tran Organization and corrupt dealers (2002–2005)
Between 2002 and 2005, a Vietnamese couple, Van Thu Tran and Phuong Truong, led a sophisticated organization to steal millions of dollars with the help of corrupt casino dealers. The couple targeted vulnerable dealers, bribing them with money and promises of easy gains.
Once corrupted, the dealers would stop shuffling the decks after each game, allowing the cheaters to memorize the card sequences. The organization used computers to analyze the sequences and provided precise instructions to infiltrated players via earpieces.
The FBI eventually infiltrated the network, leading to the arrest of several members of the organization. Van Thu Tran and Phuong Truong were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for fraud and conspiracy.
Richard Marcus et la technique « Savannah »
Richard Marcus, a former dealer, is known as one of the most ingenious casino cheaters. Among his many techniques, the most famous is the “Savannah” technique. Marcus would place a stack of chips on the table, hiding a high-value chip among lower-value ones.
If his bet won, he would reveal the high-value chip and demand the corresponding payout. If his bet lost, he would discreetly remove the high-value chip, leaving only the low-value ones, thus minimizing his losses. Using this method, Marcus won thousands of CAD without ever being convicted. His ability to deceive dealers and avoid suspicion earned him a legendary reputation in the gambling world.
Mike Postle and poker cheating (2018–2019)
In 2018 and 2019, Mike Postle, a professional poker player, was accused of cheating during live-streamed poker games at the Stones Gambling Hall in California. Veronica Brill, another poker player, noticed suspiciously good decisions made by Postle, even in highly uncertain situations.
Postle was suspected of using an electronic device to receive real-time information about his opponents’ hands. These accusations triggered an internal investigation by Stones Gambling Hall, which concluded there was no evidence of cheating—a finding that was widely criticized for its lack of transparency and rigour.
Legal actions: A class-action lawsuit was filed by several players against Postle, Stones Gambling Hall, and tournament director Justin Kuraitis, alleging financial losses due to the suspected cheating. In September 2020, the court dismissed most claims against Postle and the hall, citing California law, which prevents recovery of gambling losses. In April 2021, Postle dropped his defamation lawsuit against Brill and others who had accused him.
While Postle was not found guilty, the case severely damaged his reputation in the poker community. The controversy also raised concerns about security in online and live poker games and the measures needed to prevent cheating.
These cheating stories highlight the ingenuity of cheaters and the need for casinos to remain vigilant. While some may have succeeded temporarily, legal consequences and enhanced security measures eventually catch up with most cheaters. Cheating prevention remains a crucial issue for the gambling industry, ensuring the integrity and trust of players in casinos worldwide.
FAQ
What are the most famous casino cheating scandals in history?
The most famous cheating scandals include Joseph Jagger’s exploits with the unbalanced roulette, the MIT Blackjack Team and their card counting, and the sophisticated methods of Gonzalo Pelayo and his family.
How did Joseph Jagger manage to cheat at the Monte Carlo Casino?
Joseph Jagger discovered that a roulette wheel at the Monte Carlo Casino was unbalanced, causing the ball to land more frequently on certain numbers. He exploited this flaw to win the equivalent of 3 million CAD today.
How do cheaters use technology to win in casinos?
Cheaters use various technologies, such as marked cards with invisible ink readable with special contact lenses, mini-cameras to spy on dealers, and electronic devices to receive real-time information about opponents’ hands.
Are casino cheaters often caught and punished?
Yes, many casino cheaters are caught and convicted for their actions. Casinos and authorities continuously work to improve security measures to detect and prevent cheating.