Before I say anything bad about this business, I invite you to visit “Shufflemaster’s” website for the indepth information and their baffling bull crap discussing the “elevator system” and a “Non-linear process.” While there check out what they say about the “I-Deal?” Let me paraphrase it now, “I-Deal includes card recognition technology that can read the rank and suit of each card. Wow! If a machine can determine the rank and suit of each card beyond the watchful eye of regulators; shouldn’t red flags be going up everywhere? My question is “Are continuous shuffle machines just a big hustle considered legal due to apathy in regulation?”

The heart of gaming is based on the integrity and strict regulation of the game. This machine attacks the heart of the industry, but it can be used to the casino’s advantage. How? In Blackjack, the casinos constantly cry about “Card Counting.” This is a form of “Expert Play” that takes advantage of information obtained during play based on the history of the cards in play. Let’s say many of the face cards have been played? The counter knows that little cards must follow so they adjust their bets accordingly and vice-versa. Continuous card shufflers were designed to foil the count. I’m wondering if the card shufflers have provided the house with an unfair advantage? If the technology exists to read the rank and file of the cards outside of the regulator’s eye, then that’s a huge advantage. Why?

In Blackjack, the house pays more if an Ace and Ten are dealt to the players and the house collects all bets if the dealer gets a natural 21 or Blackjack. The ability to manipulate the cards increases the house’s ability to collect if the cards can be read in advance outside the regulation of the camera. In simple terms this is cheating. Why? If players get good hands the dealer has the same opportunity. If players get bad hands, players must hit or stand on bad hands. This increase the opportunity for novice players to lose and lose more quickly. In short, this possible hidden advantage increases the house’s overall ability to win. The player is at a disadvantage if cards can be recognized and manipulated during play. A system that creates 19 elevator levels of cards is not actually continuous play. The possibility is lessened by grouping. If the grouping can be manipulated too, then the integrity of the game is in question.

In short, it is my humble opinion that the integrity of the game is in question; but the burden of proof for proving the technology actually cheats is too high for the average player to bear. How does one disprove a negative? If it is universally acknowledged that card recognition can easily be achieved by the technology readily available, then isn’t it the duty of the regulators to protect the integrity of the game by requiring the exclusive producer of this technology to be open to regulation by the camera? What began as an innocent “fix” to a major problem could have actually now “fixed” the game? I’ll let you decide if this is fair. I’m concerned for the future of all gaming. If a virtual casino is permitted and it is declared “legal” how does anyone know if the results are fair or not? Think of how much money changes hands by this technology? Think of the impact on Poker and Blackjack? I love Las Vegas and I’m afraid poor regulation or “looking the other way” could ruin the game. Where would Las Vegas be without gaming? My solution is “Open the face on all shufflers.” Let cameras regulate the games and the gamers.