Iphone App. (Card Counting)
LAS VEGAS — Nevada gambling regulators have warned casinos about a card-counting program for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch that can illegally help players beat the house in blackjack.
Card counting by players is not illegal in Nevada but using a device to count cards is considered a felony.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board warned casinos of the program last week.
Nevada learned of the program from California gambling regulators who said officials at an Indian casino found customers using it.
But board member Randy Sayre says the agency hasn't received any reports of the program being used in Nevada.
Card counting can help blackjack players determine when they are likely to win a hand and should adjust their bets.
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"Las Vegas Review-Journal"
This article explains more about the app itself...
Phone application helps Blackjack cheaters (AFP)
Posted on Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:08PM EST
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Las Vegas casino operators are on the lookout for blackjack cheaters using a card-counting iPhone application designed to help players win.
Nevada State gaming control officials have sent warnings to casinos about card-counting software that turns iPhone smart mobile telephones or iPod Touch MP3 players into illegal tools for beating the odds at blackjack tables.
"Once this program is installed on the phone through the iTunes website it can make counting cards easy," Nevada gaming control board member Randall Sayre wrote in a February 5 letter to casino operators.
"When the program is used in the 'Stealth Mode' the screen of the phone will remain shut off, and as long as the user knows where the keys are located the program can be run effortlessly without detection."
Players using the program simply tap a virtual button on the screen each time a card 10 or higher is turned up and tap a different button for lower-value cards.
A mini-software program continually updates a "true count," which with one peek can provide feedback regarding a player's chances of winning by getting cards with total values that are closest to 21 points without exceeding that amount.
Nevada officials said they were tipped that players in American Indian-run casinos in Northern California have been using the card-counting software on the popular Apple devices.
It is illegal in Nevada to have or use card-counting gadgets in casinos, but players are allowed to try to keep count in their heads.
