What is past posting?

In casino games, the term ‘past posting’ refers to any instance of placing a bet after the outcome of that bet is known. The term derives from a once popular horse racing scam, in which scammers found ways to place bets on races that had already been run or, at least, to give the appearance of being able to do so. A classic example of past posting, in this sense, is demonstrated in the 1973 caper film, ‘The Sting’, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Robert Shaw.

Of course this issue doesn’t apply to all casino games, such as slots, nor obviously is it something that can occur online, so when you’re playing online on Slot Strike Casino you know it’s all above board, and not the stuff of motion pictures! However, in table games, the idea of past posting is to introduce extra chips to the table, at a time at which no more bets are permitted, and thereby gain an illegal advantage.

Historically, past posting has been attempted in table games such as blackjack, craps and roulette; the technique typically involves placing chips on winning areas at a moment when the dealer is already distracted, or deliberately distracting the dealer at a crucial moment. At a crowded roulette table, for example, the dealer needs to focus attention on the roulette wheel as the ball bounces around, so may be oblivious to illegal late bets.

In blackjack, past posting is often attempted after the scammer has been paid out on a winning hand. A skilled blackjack ‘mechanic’ may place, say, a £10 bet with two £5 chips but, on payment, switch the original chips for one £500 chip and one £5 chip and claim that the dealer has made a mistake.