In a Casino no matter what the game is, if you see one shuffling the cards with a� push in, pull out� movement and keeping the hands on the cards all the time keep in mind that there is a chance of being cheated. In this case it is nearly impossible to determine whether the cards �pulled out are different from those which were pushed in.� Hence, it is difficult to ascertain that there has been any real shuffling. This is one of the most common forms of cheating. In blackjack it is, probably; better if one plays at a full table when the cards are not shuffled thoroughly.

 General Remarks

 Though one may read about different aspects of peeking, dealing seconds, and stacking the reader should not infer that most casinos or cheat. In fact, it is the general policy of major casinos is to deal the games honestly. Nevertheless, prefer the blackjack games, which are dealt from a shoe. With the exception of stacking, the main method of cheating in such games is by altering the composition of the pack of cards inside the shoe. If high cards are removed and low ones are added, the expectation of the house increases. Such an alteration is, however, material evidence in case of inspection. Therefore, such altered shoes are not used in major casinos.

 Before proceeding further, remember two golden rules

 1. Peeking and dealing seconds cannot be detected when executed competently. The peeping Tom does his work so cleanly. Those who say otherwise do not know what they are talking about. Even a slow motion replay of a film taken with a high-speed camera will not reveal anything, unless the film is taken at �the right angle.� Suspicious movements, yes, can be observed. Nevertheless, for various reasons, cheating cannot be inferred based on such movements.

 2. The best blackjack player cannot obtain more than a small advantage over the house. This player will end by being a loser if cheated once or twice per hour. In fact, he will, probably, end by being a loser even if cheated only once every two hours, if the cheating takes place at the right time.

 A skillful player will need many days of playing to recuperate what he may lose in one playing session against a skillful cheat.