When playing casino games we must follow the rules or risk being kicked out, similarly casinos are expected to follow the rules or damage their reputation.
The reputation of my casino, Crown Casino in Perth, Western Australia has not been affected, for me at least, because I’m confident their lapse was not deliberate but rather a screw-up by a shitty croupier was bored with their job or just too busy chatting with the guy next to him.
What should happen when playing roulette
As players of roulette there are rules we must follow, and consequences if we don’t. Likewise, croupier’s have rules too but what happens when they break the rules? It is feasible players can declare a game invalid, if they are certain of misdeeds on the croupier’s part. In such a case the casino should stop the current game and review security camera footage, and perhaps refund players their bets if potential foul play is discovered.
In my own case, “No More Bets” had been called before the wheel was spinning or ball rolling. I understand it is a small detail, but in my opinion an important one. The rules clearly state the wheel must be spinning and the ball released before no more bets.
While I am not entirely sure what the original reasoning behind this rule was, I have a feeling it has something to do with conveying an air of fairness for players. Once the ball is rolling the end-result has been determined by gravity, friction, and the will of the universe. Whereas, if the ball is held until all bets are placed then a good croupier can place the ball on the wheel which may benefit the casino more. For example, no body has bet on 27 Red and that’s where the ball goes. If the wheel and ball are in motion before betting stops it is unlikely the croupier can influence the outcome.
What happened to me at Crown Casino
Whenever I visit the casino I spent an hour or so playing live stage roulette before going to a live table. Croupiers on stage with cameras displaying the action behind them spin the wheels and roll the ball. Players make bets on electronic tables in front of the stage, with an interval of around 30 seconds between games. A timer on screen counts down 30 seconds during which time bets are placed. Once the timer expires – No More Bets appears.
I like playing this way because it’s a lazy way and I can have a pint of beer with me. I had an Aortic Dissection many years ago and as a result cannot stand up long periods of time, so this type of play suits me.
On the day in question, after a change of croupiers things started to go bad. “No More Bets” was being called, but the wheel had stopped and the ball wasn’t rolling. There was a 10 second gap between No More Bets and the wheel turning and ball rolling.
Initially I thought it was a once off, but it kept happening. So I stopped playing because they were breaking the rules!
What I should have done – but didn’t
I should have spoken to one of the floor supervisors walking around, but I didn’t. They were all in the middle of conversations with other people. So I stupidly told nobody.
While that croupier was on duty the same thing kept happening. No more bets called prior to the wheel and ball moving. It was an hour before the croupier changeover happened.
I regret not speaking to someone and often ask myself “what recourse did I really have?” I can’t throw the offending croupier out and had I complained to a supervisor perhaps nothing would have changed.
Moral to this story
Be vigilant when you play at a casino. I guarantee they are watching you carefully so you should watch them too. What happened to me is not the norm, particularly in Australia. It was a slip up – I hope.
Have you had similar experiences? Leave a comment below or contact me and let me know.
Casino Update – 14 June 2024
Recently one of my daughters visited us in Perth and she had never seen a casino, so on the way back from the airport we went in for a look. She tried her hand at Roulette, but because of the time of the morning there were no live tables playing. Instead she played stage roulette while I watched and she lost every bet.
Yet again there were dodgy croupiers! No More Bets has been called and neither the wheel or ball are moving. The rules are, the ball must be in motion before No More Bets are called.
From Crowns own roulette rules;
Whilst the ball is still rotating in the track around the wheel the Dealer shall signal and
crownperth.com.au
announce in a clear voice “No more bets”, where upon betting shall cease.
If you want to download their rules, here is the link.
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