The Playtech Problem

[funeralparty]

I have posted on here before that I have always been a big fan of Playtech software. Even though I have made over 100 deposits at Playtech casinos in the past 4 years, I couldn't tell you about their slow withdraw times that I always hear about.....i've never made one. Of course, I have been ahead at times, I just don't make cash ins unless i've won a substantial amount. At any rate, I will never deposit at another Playtech casino again.

My last session wasn't too bad, all things considered. 26 hands: 16 losses, 2 pushes, 8 wins. In that little run, 5 dealer BJ's to my 1. The last 7 hands that busted me out (when they turned the switch on) inclused 7 losses in which the dealer managed 3 BJ's and 4 pat 20's. Again, I have been playing Playtech for over 4 years....you get a feel for how the cards slide across the screen. During that span of 7 hands, I can't really explain it,....there was a slight pause before each hand, and the cards were dealt out with a little more of a "jagged feel" Hard to explain, but im sure others here who have played Playtech before know what I am talking about. And no, it wasn't internet traffic or a busy server that caused the pause.

I have read on here in the past where many have eluded to the fact that they felt Playtech BJ was rigged. And then, a couple of the more experienced posters on here, said they had "reasonable results" ......after playing several 1000 hands.....one even said they had acheived over a 100% payback.

The problem with this is that when people conduct these tests where they play several thousand hands, or whatever the case may be, im sure they are flat betting maybe a $1 or $2. Playtech, or any software provider for that matter, realises that no one is going to be giving their BJ a test run flat betting say, $100 a hand. So it would be VERY easy for them to put something in their BJ code, when the bet exceeds a certain amount, or when a bet exceeds a certain % of a persons deposit, or something to that effect.
I've seen it happen, time and time again.

Of course, im sure no one is going to shell out 50 grand or so, just to see if Playtech deals a fair game when the stakes are high. So players will continue to get screwed, unless of course they keep their bets to a few bucks. I wish I had saved all my BJ logs for the past 4 years, so of course I have no proof. I do remember a thread on here, maybe six months or so ago, about a player who posted screenshots of 8 straight $500 losses on Playtech roulette. As many people pointed out, not that unlikely of an event......but business as usual for high stakes Playtech.

If anyone else has similar experiences, please post.

 

[ohdreampop]

I have had decent luck overall with high stakes at Playtech.
You know, they CAN give you logs if you ask. Are you sure you're playing correct strategy?

 

[winbig]

I have had decent luck overall with high stakes at Playtech.
You know, they CAN give you logs if you ask. Are you sure you're playing correct strategy?

Same here...a few sessions back I won $1000 from a $50 deposit w/100% bonus. All from live BJ...and yes I had quite a few runs during that session like you describe also...the key to survive those bad streaks is to bet the table minimum and ride it out. This will cut your losses considerably. It seems to me that if you busted out on 16 dealer wins, you were chasing your losses.

But while the thought of "rigged" or "turning the switch on" does come to mind, well...doesn't that come to mind in every "unbelievably bad" session like the one you described? Truth is, you'll definately get those bad runs in BJ at least every other session. Bottom line is when you lose (me included), we like to put blame on something out of our control and call it "rigged". Best thing to do is just take your licking and move on.

 

[funeralparty]

Not staying true to my word, I decided to give Twin Aces Casino another try this evening (the only Playtech I play at now). Since my big win last month, I had a little pocket change to spare

Well, of course I had yet another unbelievably bad BJ streak. I was hoping I could get the assistance of one of the more experienced posters on here to take a look at my logs for the last session I played....and make sure im not completely nuts.

Which brings me to my other irritation: After requesting my BJ logs for today, I was told they have forwarded my request to the security department

Why is that I can go to Playcheck and see my games played at microgaming...and yet have to wade thru this muck with Playtech??? There is a history button within the software, but it only shows the last 20 hands or so...

 

[funeralparty]

Now im REALLY pissed!

This is the reply I got from the security department regarding my request:

In regards to your previous message, we apologize for any inconvenience but unfortunately it is impossible for us to provide you with the requested information. Please note that after a recent update from our software provider we are not able to copy the images of your games anymore. This is because the pictures are linked to the a special interface and if we just copy/paste it, the link would go along with other information.

But you have access to review your last hands in the game history and in case you require a screen shot of one specific hand, we would be more than glad to help you out.

Again, we are truly sorry that we can not honor your request. We appreciate your understanding.

Best regards,

Jill Beck
Security Department Supervisor
Main Street Vegas Group


Is this a bunch of BS or what?!?!?!

 

[Tdoggy]

the switch

When on a horrible bad streak God it feels like they have "flipped" the switch on! But this is gambling. And good and bad streaks will happen. As far as only seeing your last 20 or so hands! This is not good! PlayTech has to fix this. You should be able to view your game logs! Good Lord

 

[nafanny29]

They absolutely HAVE to send you your game logs!!

If they dont then they should refund your deposit as they have no proof that they beat you in the casino.

 

[555YY]

I do remember a thread on here, maybe six months or so ago, about a player who posted screenshots of 8 straight $500 losses on Playtech roulette. As many people pointed out, not that unlikely of an event......but business as usual for high stakes Playtech.

If anyone else has similar experiences, please post.

that player would be me, and it wasn't 8 straight, it was actually 13 straight losses with big bets across two separate playtech casinos, however i only captured the screenshots for last 8.

at any rate, these days i would only make big bets on playtech live games, not that i even play that much playtech anymore after some of the bj and roulette results.

say what you will, but there is something sketchy with playtech software period.

 

[DealerBusts]

Just don't play Playtech BJ, be wary of BJ Switch and if you must then play their live BJ games but remember to count. I'm collating some BJ Switch data with regards to the number of times the dealer busts when drawing to 12-16.
Playtech BJ stinks and the last time i played was a year ago. I am seriously considering writing my own program to record BJ stats for Playtech. I think BJ Switch is not as bad as the regular BJ but still can go into rape mode.

 

[johnsteed]

PlayTech hasn't played fair since '03

I'm sure if my word means much here, but I feel that PlayTech Software is crap now. My feelings about PlayTech in '02-03 were far different then, because it felt like I could win on any given day. The amount of $20-50 deposits that turned into $1,000 happened quite regularly. I was cleaning-up at that time (that is, if I had known WHEN to stop playing that is), but those days are long gone. I started playing over at SunnyGroup and they kept throwing all of these bonuses at me (exceeding my deposits). It pays to talk to online support staff (another thread). Anyway, after playing at their (I believe) 4 casino's (chain), and playing plenty over a 1-month period, I kept losing without ever really getting up. That was all new to me. Since the 4th quarter of '03, with more confidence than I'll ever get at PlayTech BJ again, say that the games aren't true. I play at PlayTech (stopped recently) on a weekly basis, and quite a bit, and I haven't won once (using many different strategies) since mid-03. That's awful. I felt that in the early part of '03 that Royal Dice was an awesome casino that never really got much ink, and since their software upgrades since that period... I don't know what to make of them. I've been extremely loyal, and they've given me tons of bonuses (Julie), but the outcomes are ridiculous. It's not just the losing, it's how one loses. It's the ridiculous combinations that the dealer comes up with, and that you rarely have THAT same luck in your corner. Or how many times (include Global Player and InterCasino) can the dealer come up a BJ at the same time that you rarely get them? Dealers thrive when sitting on 6's these days. It's horrible, and I urge people to stay away from BJ at ALL PlayTech casino's. It's not just Royal Dice, it's across the board robbery.

Does anyone have luck at PlayTech anymore (and I'm ignoring Royal Flushes and slots... which are flukes)?

 

[samchopra]

i feel the same way
lost every double down or got a 3 or 4 on my doulbe down
dealer would always pull a 20 or 21 against my 10 double downs
and the amount of blackjacks the dealer pulled on me was not right

 

[scrollock]

after hearing so many horror stories about playtech BJ, i have always avoided it till and just played VP at playtech until recently i was sent a 500% bonus from carnival. for a 20 deposit.

i thought what the heck and went and played BJ, put 120 on first hand, i won, then put 240 on the next hand, won, am now sitting on 480.

i then reduced my stakes, it only took me about 30 hands of low stakes BJ to realise that my 2 back to back wins were sheer flukes, and that i would never play playtech BJ again despite walking away with just under 400 for a 20 deposit.

 

[johnsteed]

Advantages turned to dust...

Stanchopra,

I'm on your page about the doubling-up situation. It's murder. You patiently wait for those opportunities you need to get to the next level, and each one of those golden opportunities (based on basic strategies) turns to dust. Especially on the doubling-up opportunites. When you're playing two hands, look at the amount of times the dealers sitting on a bust card, and you may possibly have two hands of 8's or 7's that you can split, and you're sitting on 4 nice hands, and you're toast. It happens way too many times. And splitting the Aces at PlayTech, forget it!!! Even when the dealer is showing a 6 (okay, so I'll likely still split them based on urge over instinct), you'll get the worst cards and the dealer will miraculously get a 20 or a 21. It happens way too often. My suggestion, go against EVERYTHING that the basic strategy says, because the cards seem to come out PRECISELY how you're supposed to play it. Another strategy, ALWAYS mix your strategy on the fly, change it, because it seems like the dealers playing you (not letting you play it). When I give up, and realize that the dealer is being WAY too unfair, I start to hit where I'm not supposed to, don't double up, split 9's and 10's, and I seem to do better. Which is precisely why people should stay away from PlayTech Blackjack... far, far away... (ditto Video Poker... although it plays-out fair, just not when the casino gives you their bonuses... where cards ALWAYS go south when in bonus mode).

 

[johnsteed]

Whoops, Samchopra...

My apologies, I didn't mean to pull of Bryon Russell on you...

 

[johnsteed]

(correction again) a Byron Russell on you...

 

[Tdoggy]

I agree

I avoid playtech to. Don't like there B.J. either. Seems very unfair indeed. Probably will never play at a playtech casino again. Did win at a few a long time ago. But these days I don't know what's going on....

 

[jhartz]

Me too

I love the Playtech software, but I've lately (last year or so) had the strong feeling that it was very possible that the house can manipulate the outcomes at will. This is just a feeling that it based on my own personal results to date. I have finally concluded that I will just avoid their games and wait to see if they get caught. I am aware that their software could be entirely fair and that I am that one in ten thousand who ALWAYS seems to lose at the most critical and inopportune junctures.

 

[Wal]

i feel the same way
lost every double down or got a 3 or 4 on my doulbe down
dealer would always pull a 20 or 21 against my 10 double downs
and the amount of blackjacks the dealer pulled on me was not right

I feel excactly the same.

If you have a 20 vs. a 6 its best to surrender, the Delaer is gonna get 21 anyway.

Played yesterday and the dealer got 3 Black jacks in a row, surely that can happen, but combined with the other hands it gave me a bad feeling.

 

[seymour]

i agree. Its swung both ways before for me. Ive had 3 blackjacks in 4 deals and the other was a 20. Guess what the 20 and pretty much every 20 that followed.... dealer drew a 21. just doesnt happen in real life.

This coupled with kiwi and other playtech casinos stealing players funds when they win is disgusting.

check out this for instance:

We do stress that this bonus is designed to offer new players the chance to look around the casino and try a variety of games without fear of risking their own money on games that they are not familiar with. The bonuses are not intended to attract casual players who are looking to exploit this offer for their immediate financial gain.
USA Casino feels that this is fair and gives new players the opportunity to enjoy some risk-free casino gaming.

This is insane. "without fear of risking their own money on games that they are not familiar with" so go on 100d 100b. Lose 100 with games they are not familiar with. go to withdraw. casino takes back 100b. Left with nothing. nice.

 

[mgibson99]

My suggestion, go against EVERYTHING that the basic strategy says, because the cards seem to come out PRECISELY how you're supposed to play it. Another strategy, ALWAYS mix your strategy on the fly, change it, because it seems like the dealers playing you (not letting you play it). When I give up, and realize that the dealer is being WAY too unfair, I start to hit where I'm not supposed to, don't double up, split 9's and 10's, and I seem to do better.

Sorry this is dumb. If you think the game is rigged, then don't play. If its not rigged, then using a WAG strategy is never going to make you any money.

 

[mitch]

Sorry this is dumb. If you think the game is rigged, then don't play. If its not rigged, then using a WAG strategy is never going to make you any money.

I agree!

KK

As the self acknowledged 'WAGmeister' look how you are leading players astray from the path of righteousness.

Mitch

 

[KasinoKing]

Well actually I agree with johnsteed on this one!
I have tried this in real real money play - and it does work!
I have been known to mock martingale players as being Kamikaze, preferring myself to double up when I win. But a few times when the 'switch' was definitely on, I reversed to doubling when I lost, and hey-presto, I stopped losing!

Give it a try, and let me know how you get on!

 

[toofast4u]

I just think, as soon as you hit that deal button, the fate has already been decided if you had a win or loss, the cards are nothing but a fassad. If its the dealers turn to win, they are going to get whatever it takes to beat you.

I had a few experiences with playtech, one of which I was able to rack up a $1000 win with a deposit of $50, but after 3 weeks of not getting paid I was so frustrated I logged back in and reversed the deposit. Then the mother of all switches had been flipped, I mean I am talking consistent 10-12 hand losing streaks until I was down to nill.

Lets talk about statistics, I had an online casino just a month or so ago last time I played, beat me 4 times in a row, with blackjacks. the first one I was like this sucks, second one I was like this really sucks, third one I was like this has got to be the end of it, the 4th one, I was in shock. Now, what are the odds of a dealer getting 4 bj's in a row?? Something fishy. Now, I have had positive streaks just as absurd, infact 2 years ago at intercasion I got 4 bj's in a row.

Heres a weird little strategy, It may just be my head playng with me but I really do think it works. If you are betting big and you start down that slippery slope, drop your bet down to the min bet, until the losing streak ends, and after your 1st win on that min bet bump back up to your big bet and play a few times. I swear, every time I was ever able to gain a big profit that was the way I did it, but if I were ever to stay at that higher betting level the losing streak would go on infinitely, until you bottom out. I don't know if that works at playtech, but it did at crypto and bossmedia. Makes me think, there is something that monitors your betting pattern, when you start taking more risky bets, then the losing streak insues. Of course this is all speculation, but unless someone with some inside information comes forward then thats all we have is speculation. If they do implement such a system, it is set up so that on the books it looks like a 'fair game'.

 

[karenpearson]

I just think, as soon as you hit that deal button, the fate has already been decided if you had a win or loss, the cards are nothing but a fassad. If its the dealers turn to win, they are going to get whatever it takes to beat you.

I had a few experiences with playtech, one of which I was able to rack up a $1000 win with a deposit of $50, but after 3 weeks of not getting paid I was so frustrated I logged back in and reversed the deposit. Then the mother of all switches had been flipped, I mean I am talking consistent 10-12 hand losing streaks until I was down to nill.

Lets talk about statistics, I had an online casino just a month or so ago last time I played, beat me 4 times in a row, with blackjacks. the first one I was like this sucks, second one I was like this really sucks, third one I was like this has got to be the end of it, the 4th one, I was in shock. Now, what are the odds of a dealer getting 4 bj's in a row?? Something fishy. Now, I have had positive streaks just as absurd, infact 2 years ago at intercasion I got 4 bj's in a row.

Heres a weird little strategy, It may just be my head playng with me but I really do think it works. If you are betting big and you start down that slippery slope, drop your bet down to the min bet, until the losing streak ends, and after your 1st win on that min bet bump back up to your big bet and play a few times. I swear, every time I was ever able to gain a big profit that was the way I did it, but if I were ever to stay at that higher betting level the losing streak would go on infinitely, until you bottom out. I don't know if that works at playtech, but it did at crypto and bossmedia. Makes me think, there is something that monitors your betting pattern, when you start taking more risky bets, then the losing streak insues. Of course this is all speculation, but unless someone with some inside information comes forward then thats all we have is speculation. If they do implement such a system, it is set up so that on the books it looks like a 'fair game'.

If you've read my post "Beware Club Dice", you'll see that I'm new to all this but my 7 weeks experience of online gaming has taught me a hell of a lot. Despite what I've learned, I'm not sure if I'm worthy of giving opinions in the company of experienced players on this forum, but I'll give it a go anyway.

I don't usually believe that any sort of system will work but I found a roulette system which I tested for weeks playing with fun money. Every session showed a good prfoit.

I decided to try it for real as the casino home page said thet they used the same software for the fun money game as they do for the real money game.
I deposited my 200 and started playing. I won 144 in less than 3 hours.
Over the next couple of weeks my system continued to work and I eventually built my bank to 3,000. I'd request withdrawals just to move the money away from my playing funds and always began my sessions with 600.
You might not believe I managed to do this so I've attached a screenshot of my transaction history.
I thought I was going to be able to do this for a living..... until someone hit the claw-back button!!!

My system involved betting on one number and doubling up every 34 losing spins. Sometimes I could go over 150 spins without a win, but when the winnning spin landed, it always paid well. After rip-off mode had been switched on though, things changed. I'd get to a stage when my number was well overdue (I know there's no such thing as overdue, but hear me out!) and would mysteriously be disconnected from the server and have to log in again. The automatic spin that happens when you first log in would always throw up my number, and obviously you don't have the chance to get any money on it.

Therefore, all the money lost in previous bets can't be recovered as you start again at 1 unit once your number turns up.

I managed to get over this a couple of times and at first just put it down to a connection fault. I must have been disconnected around 5 or 6 times but never when the stakes were low. When it happens twice in a session, at the same level of betting, it has to be more than coincidence.

I was taken down to 600 and decided to call it a day, whilst still ahead, and withdraw my money.
but that's another story!

I've since come across another method which works absolutely 100% in fun money mode. I tried it at 4 different casinos and it does genuinely work. Try it in real money mode and guess what.........got disconnected 3 times!!!!

I know my lack of experience doesn't qualify me to criticise but anyone who says that this software isn't rigged must either have some connection with the operators or have been extremely lucky never to have had rip-off mode switched on. The statement that the software is the same for fun money and real money also leaves a little to be desired. Maybe it is the same software but its definitely set up differently and I now have proof. Not in the fact that it happened to me either.

Having said that, I thought software was a computer program. Letters, numbers, characters in a certain order. If that's the case, then the software must be different.

 

[mitch]

I've since come across another method which works absolutely 100% in fun money mode. I tried it at 4 different casinos and it does genuinely work.

Karen I think I need to be blunt, not to insult you but to save you money.
What you have said is absolute bollocks!

These are the stories of snake oil salesman. No betting system can overturn probability. You are playing a negative progression system, therefore you will win the majority or large majority of betting sessions. You will however give it all back on your losing sessions.

That's how it works, believe me, the casino has not 'thrown a switch', they don't need to, they just need to wait for the inevitable to happen.

Do not believe, or worse, pay for these systems. Play them if you like, these methods are no worse or better than any other method, just don't expect to win overall in the long run unless you play sensibly with bonuses.

Mitch