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Shufflemaster iDeal shufflers have a camera in them that reads each card that goes by it and stores that card in memory One would hope that the machine actuall

Shufflemaster iDeal shufflers have a camera in them that reads each card that goes by it and stores that card in memory One would hope that the machine actually uses that information in real time. Specifically to check for missing or duplicated cards. But the casinos probably wouldn't care for that feature. Their edge improves markedly if an Ace goes "missing". Players find it hard to notice missing cards, because casinos generally use perhaps 6 decks at a time, and many cards are not exposed to the players during the course of dealing them from a shoe (often a casino won't deal perhaps 25% of the cards). But 23 vs 24 Aces does make a difference in the casino's edge. It may not seem like much, but with perfect play the house edge is only about 0.4% in Blackjack[1] (depending on exact rules), so every little bit helps. [1] https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/calculator/ https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/calculator/

dghughes 9y ago
> One would hope that the machine actually uses that information in real time. Specifically to check for missing or duplicated cards. They do it's a very heavily used feature of the iDeal shuffler the One2Six model shuffler doesn't have a camera. That was a big problem you often get missing cards that aren't really missing. Sometimes (many times) moisture would cause the card to curl pulling the card corner with its number and suit away from the area the camera views. The main problem was a deck that wasn't in the database but I had to find one close enough to tune in. It was OK but many prompts of missing cards when there were there. Other problems are table felt fibers sucked in, makeup, hair around rollers, card dust all get on the lens and around the rollers.
- PhantomGremlin 9y ago
  Thanks for the extra details. One of the things I just love about HN is all of the "inside baseball" stuff we get to hear about.

dghughes 9y ago

> One would hope that the machine actually uses that information in real time. Specifically to check for missing or duplicated cards. They do it's a very heavily used feature of the iDeal shuffler the One2Six model shuffler doesn't have a camera. That was a big problem you often get missing cards that aren't really missing. Sometimes (many times) moisture would cause the card to curl pulling the card corner with its number and suit away from the area the camera views. The main problem was a deck that wasn't in the database but I had to find one close enough to tune in. It was OK but many prompts of missing cards when there were there. Other problems are table felt fibers sucked in, makeup, hair around rollers, card dust all get on the lens and around the rollers.

PhantomGremlin 9y ago
Thanks for the extra details. One of the things I just love about HN is all of the "inside baseball" stuff we get to hear about.