Blackjack Dealer Checking Hole Card

...but did not really catch on until started at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in November of 1982. Before, blackjack dealers at all casinos in Nevada checked hole cards under 10s as well as under aces. Here is a reader's letter from 1980:
I would like to compare experiences with other players on the value of toking. I find that with the right dealer it is extremely useful to toke, perhaps especially on the big bets for oneself. When there is a 10 up it is very common for there to be an involuntary gesture concerning the strength of the hand. The eyes sparkle happily for an instant, the jaw tightens almost imperceptibly (oh-oh, better hit that 16), etc. If the benefits concerned only the toked hand, I guess it would not be profitable business, but they tend to flow over onto all the hands, at least in some cases.

This is a letter from Daniel Forbes from back when blackjack dealers checked hole cards under 10s:
I keep a book on dealers and their helpful hints. The coldest, cruelest dealer can change with a toke or two, if the toking is done properly.

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Many blackjack dealers can spot a card counter almost as fast as we counters can spot each other, and it is human to want a piece of the action. If a dealer continuously hollers "checks in play," "green action," "black in play," "doubling (or hitting) soft eighteen," etc., your active life span as a blackjack player is diminished. On the other hand, a dealer who quickly bypasses your humble sixteen to expose a hidden 4 under his 10 is giving you a big edge over the house.

An example. I located a dealer who gave unfailingly accurate hole-card information, even when floor people were watching and I was betting the table maximum. It was easy money. When the relief dealer came on, she knew I was a toker and was very friendly. In the midst of a high count, I was playing two hands at the table limit and she showed a 10.I had two stiffs. She exhorted me to "go for it!" and I did, busting both hands. When she turned over a 3,I was devastated! I quickly cut my bet size and bet small until the first dealer returned. Later, I told the first blackjack dealer what had happened. She must have talked with the second dealer because the second dealer is now a little smarter, the shift makes more tokes, and I am slaughtering the place. Give me dealer help and I will give up counting and still do very well, thank you.

Now you understand why casinos have had their blackjack dealers stop checking hole cards under 10s. Marvin French says:
A friend impressed a lady Strip casino dealer so much that she was peeking at all the down cards in order to help him. Her toke was a dinner at a nice restaurant.

Blackjack dealers who voluntarily disclose the values of their hole cards in exchange for tokes are cheating. They risk being fired and they risk being arrested. Whether the customer is risking arrest in such a situation I do not know. I have never bought a dealer's help, will never do so, and would not advise any of my readers to do so.

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