The Venetian’s poker room has stopped pitching cards through the air. Dealers at the 50-table room now “slide deal,” pushing each card face-down across the felt to the player. Casino.org reports it is the first poker room on the Las Vegas Strip to make the switch.
Why they changed it
It’s about hidden cameras. When a card is tossed, its face can flash for a split second, and a tiny camera at table level can catch it. Keeping cards flat on the felt makes that much harder. In 2024, French police arrested two men accused of filming dealt cards with cameras hidden in phones and relaying them to accomplices at the table.
The Venetian tested slide dealing earlier this year, trained its dealers, and rolled it out across the room. Poker operations director Tommy LaRosa told PokerNews it “reduces the possibility of cards being exposed during the deal.” South Point, south of the Strip, switched in August.
What it means if you play
- Expect the deal to feel a little slower while dealers and regulars adjust.
- Your cards arrive face-down and flat, so there’s less risk anyone else sees them.
- Watch for more rules on phones and smart glasses at the table; tournament organizers in Europe already tightened them.
Source: Casino.org. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.