One of the key components of any card game is shuffling. This ensures that each player receives an unbiased set of cards, adding an element of surprise. Many may wonder whether casino card shuffling machines are rigged; however, that answer is no for a number of reasons.
Casino card shuffling machines are specifically designed to prevent cheating. To do this, they use a random number generator that generates an order for each deck of cards before shuffling them together into that order. Without knowing exactly what programming exists on each machine, it would be impossible to discern their order without knowing its programming; therefore engineers of top card shufflers make this information as hard to access as possible so players do not discover how their machine operates.
Tinkerers may have managed to find ways around older card shuffling machines, but modern devices are much more sophisticated. Some can read cards using cameras before using a random number generator to shuffle them randomly. Manufacturers of top casino card shufflers make every effort to conceal their inner workings to prevent players from discovering how they work.
Casinos use shuffling machines to add excitement to their games and increase profits, and reduce dealer errors like accidentally damaging cards with improper shuffles. Furthermore, using such an automaton reduces dealer errors such as mishandling hand of cards when trying to shuffle manually.
Shuffling machines provide dealers with a way to complete games more quickly, which is an advantage for casinos looking to satisfy customers faster. In addition, shuffling machines make less likely that cards fall from being accidentally dropped or mishandled in ways which alter their stack position, leading to happier customers and reduced odds of injury due to mishandling or dropping them altogether.
Many casinos utilize multiple decks of cards in order to prevent experienced card counters from counting cards or using shuffle tracking to gain an advantage, since such practices increase house edge by encouraging doubles by encouraging high cards at the top and increasing doubles due to more high cards at the top being exposed if tracked with. Unfortunately, card counting at tables in a casino setting can be very challenging since dealers are highly-trained professionals while security keeps close watch over all card activity.
Though some poker players may suspect casinos of rigging the cards, most casino gamblers know otherwise. Casinos should care only that patrons are having fun and spending money – they do not wish to risk damaging their reputation by being caught cheating or rigging games.
Have you ever been confused as to why casino-grade automatic shufflers are so pricey? Is it because their standard of randomness makes them expensive or because these machines were never intended for home poker use? For whatever reason, I find it surprising that they have not become more cost effective.
