BLACKJACK, SECURITY & SPORTS BETTING

Reader Questions & Our Responses

Q: In the July 2023 issue of your magazine, the author [Blackjack Expert TJ Jorgensen] states that when players reach the final table in a Blackjack tournament they can vote to chop the pot or play.

I have played in a few small stakes poker tournaments where this happens often, but players can revote each time someone is knocked out of the tournament. Is this not allowed in Blackjack tournaments? Is it just one vote?

Sid Leckron, Yuma, AZ

A: In this particular tournament, for the chop vote, there is only one vote before the final round. Once play begins in the final round, there are no more chop votes. Each tournament has its own rules. Make sure to always request a copy of the rules and read through them before playing in any Blackjack tournament. If you need a rule explained, just ask to talk to the Blackjack Shift Supervisor. They should be more than happy to clarify any rules and answer any questions you may have.

TJ Jorgensen

Q: I enjoy reading your magazine. I read the Blackjack article in July’s issue and now I think I’d like to participate in a Blackjack tournament but $500 is too much of a risk for me even though the payout is amazing. Is there a tournament more around the $50 - $100 range?

Annie Nguyen, Chandler, AZ

A: Unless the local casinos start having tournaments again, I don't know of any now. Blackjack players need to express an interest so the casinos bring back the tournaments. For example, Casino Arizona used to have a Tuesday Tournament where the entry fee was $50. Maybe if enough players asked for the tournaments then Casino Arizona would start hosting them again.

TJ Jorgensen

Q: Sometimes I’m a little scared of the other people at [the casinos]. Some of them look a little [sketchy] and I don’t trust them. What is security doing to keep more of these people out so we can all feel safe?

Tanya Bleicher, Phoenix, AZ

A: The Security departments at casinos have a lot on their hands. They exist to protect the assets of the business, from employees, to patrons, to equipment, to the cold hard cash. And, they have to be customer friendly while executing their mission!

At times, casinos can attract clientele which make other patrons, especially regular customers, feel uncomfortable. While casino Security will have challenges in this type of situation, perhaps the following news will make you feel a little better during your next casino visit!

The company ZeroEyes is currently deploying AI-based gun detection video analytics platforms into casino Surveillance departments across the country. ZeroEyes developed software which is “layered on existing digital cameras” across a casino. The software can identify weapons and immediately alerts casino staff and employees at ZeroEyes Operation Centers which are staffed by veterans of the U.S. military and law enforcement who can assist with information during an emergency.

Q: Now that we have sports betting [in Arizona], why keep talking about all the places you can bet? Everyone knows this already, don’t they?

Robert Knapp, Gilbert, AZ

A: Well, sort of! We are glad you are knowledgeable about regulated and licensed sports betting platforms and physical locations here in Arizona. But not everyone is!

According to the American Gaming Association’s recent research, fully 85% of Americans agree with the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act compared to 63% in 2019. Now, 78% of bettors place “all or most” bets through regulated operators. That means 22% don’t but should! “Consumer confusion is in part attributable to illegal offshore sites misrepresenting their legal status by marketing themselves as regulated sites. Among online sports bettors, they believe a site is legal based on a statement on the website (38%), odds being mentioned by the media (36%), and search results (32%),” says the AGA. Keep it simple, secure, and safe. Bet on sports at a casino in Arizona. $