The quickest answer to whether roulette dealers control where the ball lands is no. There are extremely strict conditions that prevent dealers from interfering with the ball.
If you are a fan of traditional table games, you probably have played roulette. It is a popular classic luck-based game that is loved by players of all experiences. Many people love roulette because of the simple rules and the thrilling gaming experience. Moreover, this game comes with numerous betting options with varying payouts odds. Nevertheless, the most common question is if roulette dealers decide where the ball lands. This article will explain everything that happens in roulette and the influence a dealer can have on the outcome. Also, we'll share how the dealer's signature is made on a particular game.
Rules of Playing Roulette
As earlier mentioned, roulette has some of the simplest rules of playing. The primary goal is to place bets and predict where the ball lands. It's the role of the dealer to spin the wheel after all players have made their bets. For beginners, roulette wheels have 1 to 36 or 1 to 37 numbers. The European game has 37 pockets as it has a single zero, and the American version has 38 pockets because of the double zero. Please note that the wheel travels counter-clockwise, and the ball is thrown clockwise. Different roulette bets are available in each game, and you can bet on single numbers or a combination of two or more numbers. Players are free to place bets until they hear "No more bets" from the dealer.
How Roulette Dealer Control Balls
Is there such a thing as a dealer signature in roulette? Well, there are several ways dealers can explore a roulette spin. If a roulette wheel is used by the dealer for a long time, they tend to master the hitting of specific numbers. Moreover, casinos spend money on training dealers to be fast in their actions. The more spins per hour, the bigger the casino's earnings.
The more experienced a dealer is, the more accurate he can control where the ball lands. These dealers take time to study the wheel speed and the ending time of acceleration.
The first step to controlling where the ball lands in roulette is to count the revolutions of the spinning ball. An expert dealer with experience can spin the wheel at a regular pace—the dealer masters the ball's pattern before dropping it in a pocket. With time, they are able to exploit the system using that pattern.
The greatest challenge of this cheating trick is that it requires a high level of patience and skill. The quickest way to practice is by observing and memorizing the numbers at the release point and noting them quickly. Though practicing is not enough to beat the casino, you will get an edge to improve your chances of winning more often.
Furthermore, it's pretty common to find many roulette players recording the hitting numbers and the parts on a roulette wheel that are cold. Many casinos have aided this by displaying the last played dozen spins or more. These casinos do this to motivate players to target hot numbers, colors, or other bets in the game.
Casino Ball Control Measures
Several anti-roulette-ball control measures have been put in place to prevent cheating and other irregularities in roulette. Of course, these measures vary from land-based casinos and internet-based platforms. These measures are:
- Preventing dealers from looking into the wheel when they are setting and spinning it. If they are unable to set in the same pattern as the previous, it will be impossible to hit the target.
- Ensuring that the dealers change the speed of the spins after every game round or a couple of spins.
- Alternate the roulette balls in between the spins. There are several sized balls used in roulette. Changing the ball will confuse the dealer since they weigh differently.
Additionally, casinos invest in new and advanced technology to prevent any form of cheating in roulette. The most common methods are:
Random Number Generator (RNG)
Unlike in land-based casinos where the dealer spins the roulette, modern online casinos use Random Number Generator software to determine game payouts. This technology is based on strong mathematical codes and algorithms that are pretty hard to influence. Moreover, online casinos employ independent third party authorities to audit the RNG software regularly. Everything in this system is programmed, and the results are randomly generated based on pure coding.
Strict Conditions on Cheaters
The penalty for cheating in any casino game is very severe. Any player or dealer found cheating risks imprisonment or a high penalty. Additionally, casino operators understand that they can lose their license if found participating in influencing the outcomes of games.
Installation of High Surveillance Systems
The latest casino cheat arrests in the United States were aided by high-tech surveillance systems. Many casino parking lots are installed with Non-Obvious relationship Awareness (NORA) surveillance with cameras that quickly identify the car number plates and faces of previous scammers.
Use of RFID Technology
The Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been quite helpful in reducing cheat cases in roulette and other games. This technology uses electromagnetic fields to detect, identify, and track cheating chips attached on devices. Top casinos in Las Vegas insert these chips in their cards and chips to prevent counterfeiting.
Other Ways Dealers Use to Cheat in Roulette
Other than the dealer's signature, there are different ways dealers cheat in roulette. The following are common cheats that dealers and casinos have been caught using in offline and online casinos:
- Roulette Wheels Modification: Roulette wheel modification or gaffing is common. It involves making the roulette spins more predictable than usual. However, this is a technical mistake that can be repaired by the casino if it's not intentional.
- Magnetic Balls: Strong magnets have been used in the past to force the wheel to stop on certain numbers. Cheaters use roulette balls made of a coil and special diodes on it.
- Past Posting: This is a simple cheating technique where you change the stake after the results are exposed. However, this is a risky move as all your winnings can be forfeited if the dealer notices.
- Lasers and Microcomputers: Although not so common, some advanced cheaters use laser devices to determine the spinning speed of the wheel and ball.
Conclusion
We hope the information we have shared has answered the question of whether roulette dealers control the ball. While it is possible at any roulette table, the consequences are grievous. Moreover, it requires persistence and skills to precisely predict where the ball eventually lands on the wheel. We don't encourage or recommend any forms of cheating in roulette or other casino games.
