Warning, marked cards at Fort McDowell AZ

Percula · #1 02-03-2007, 08:32 PM

Even though it might "out me"... I thought this was important enough to let everyone know about. Bounty is off guys, sorry.

I have been playing the 5-150 spread game there for a few weeks now. It is running pretty regular now if only one table most nights till the wee hours of the morning. Game is off the hook! Deep stacks and full of weak/exploitable players.

So I am playing last night and in my normal way of paying attention, I notice that every A, K, Q, J, T, 2, and 3 I am dealt has been marked. There is a nail mark on each and every one I was dealt.

I called the floor and was pretty much dismissed with "And you find that most of the other cards have marks too, lol". I was not impressed and we did get a new setup when a card came up with a obvious defect several hands later.

I kept checking the cards, and while I did not see a lot of face cards during the down, every one I seen had a nail mark too! OK, enough is enough.

The tribal gaming officer came down to watch the game in person, he is very interested in the 5-150 for some reason as he comes and watches in the wee hours every time I have played lately. I called him over and explained the situation to him. All hell breaks loose!

He pulls a new setup and spreads/checks it on another table and delivers a new setup. The next thing you know, every setup in the place not in play is being poured over by him, the floor and dealers.

The floor comes and tells us that he is sorry he did not take my complaint serious enough and that the marks are more likely the result of "peeking" at cards and not nailing. Well sorry, if that was true, every card would be marked and not just to faces, aces and lows. I did not feel like stirring up more [censored], so I kept my mouth shut.

Bottom line is that have know that this is a problem for some time, and with the gaming board now involved, it looks like something is going be done about it. But until they get some good cards in there, watch yourself... Despite all of this, the friendly staff and off the hook game, it is still +EV to be there.

cardcounter0 · #2 02-03-2007, 08:44 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The tribal gaming officer came down to watch the game in person, he is very interested in the 5-150 for some reason as he comes and watches in the wee hours every time I have played lately. I called him over and explained the situation to him. All hell breaks loose!

He pulls a new setup and spreads/checks it on another table and delivers a new setup. The next thing you know, every setup in the place not in play is being poured over by him, the floor and dealers.

[/ QUOTE ]

This sounds like good news.

Nate. · #3 02-03-2007, 09:06 PM

Percula --

Thanks.

--Nate

Hass · #4 02-03-2007, 09:46 PM

Percula,

If I didn't know who you were I would say you're FOS, but after meating you I believe you.

How big of a deal can this be? Is there anychance of the place closing down?

Hass

BrunoThePug · #5 02-03-2007, 09:58 PM

How would one notice that the cards were marked? I'm not up on the latest in nail marking cards, but I was thinking about going to play up there tomorrow with a buddy.

bav · #6 02-03-2007, 10:01 PM

This is pretty similar to the complaints at the WSOP. People got fed up with the crappy, ultra-thin Copag cards being marked and eventually threw a fit after being dismissed by the floor staff repeatedly.

One thing I've seen in only one casino (Alladin) was a dealer stuck on an empty spread going through his card decks one by one looking for nailed or scuffed cards. He pulled a half-dozen out of each deck (including all four aces from one deck) and got replacements from the floor. Very nice.

Percula · #7 02-03-2007, 10:51 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Percula,

If I didn't know who you were I would say you're FOS, but after meating you I believe you.

How big of a deal can this be? Is there anychance of the place closing down?

Hass

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I think there is a 0% chance of them shutting it down. I think there is a 100% chance that they will be ordering new decks on Monday AM rather Mike wants to spend the money or not...

The tribal officer forced them to sort each and every deck and toss the bad cards. They are going to be hurting for the weekend, but it is worth it to protect the game.

Percula · #8 02-03-2007, 10:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
How would one notice that the cards were marked? I'm not up on the latest in nail marking cards, but I was thinking about going to play up there tomorrow with a buddy.

[/ QUOTE ]

The nail mark is noticeable just by looking at them, you see the indented line on the back of the card. If you look quick enough you can see them as they are being dealt or when the player has the cards. You can also spot them in the muck, burn and stub.

BTW, since someone will ask, the cards are "A Plus" brand cards, that if the dealers are correct, cost more than Kem... The tribal officer was think Kem was a good brand too.

Red_Diamond · #9 02-03-2007, 11:00 PM

That's pretty crazy. Didn't realize casinos could be so cheap as to keep tampered cards so they don't have to order new ones. I think it would best for a place like that to just be forced to shut down.

Percula · #10 02-03-2007, 11:28 PM

[ QUOTE ]
That's pretty crazy. Didn't realize casinos could be so cheap as to keep tampered cards so they don't have to order new ones. I think it would best for a place like that to just be forced to shut down.

[/ QUOTE ]

No. The room is nice and has a lot of things going for it, but they do need new management. There are a lot of things "wrong" with the Fort, but there are a lot of things "right" with it too. Frankly if it was well managed and properly funded it would be very popular in the area, instead of a middle rate room known more for its tournaments than anything else.