Known for his ability to detect scams and his impressive memory techniques, Sal shared with us his beginnings, experiences, and valuable lessons. His insights will interest not only poker enthusiasts but anyone intrigued by the world of casinos and strategy.
Sal, what are you currently focusing on the most?
I focus mostly on Casino game protection. We talk mostly how casino protects their asset and everything is run fair.
How did your journey to becoming an expert begin?
My journey start about 12 years old. My father showed me 3 card monte scam. It is very simple game.
How long did it take you to learn these tricks?
Upstairs, I have my library. I am always reading and studying. You can learn as fast as you want. Some people learn faster than others, but it depends on how much time you are willing to put in. As a kid, this was everything to me—I didn’t care about school anymore. During Christmas, I got a box of magic, and when I was 13, we went to Vegas, where I saw the iconic Las Vegas Strip. I fell in love with the whole city.
My father brought me my first book called Three-Card Monte. My neighbor, Ivor Luis, was a gambler, and he gave me a book called Blackjack, my very first book about gambling. When I turned 16, I dropped out of high school and joined the Marine Corps. I was in the U.S. Marines, received my GED, and waited until I turned 21 to go to Atlantic City. From that point, I started my journey.
Did you make a big scam outside of casino?
Yes, I did. That was the highlight of my life. I did a trick with cards for my woman. I told her, "If I win, you are going with me to dinner," and I won. I have never done this for money; I do it for fun. The only time I ever cheated was in a casino. I did it several times when the casino asked me to do it just to test their staff. I stole cards, for example—but only when I was asked.
Are scams common in casinos?
Yes, players often add chips to their bets or take their bets back when they lose.
What was the biggest scam have you seen during your life?
Recently, we were in Atlantic City, three days ago. We were in a casino, and my wife caught a dealer picking up a losing bet and placing it on a winning spot to pay a player, causing the house to lose $30. In another casino, as we walked past a table, we noticed that the dealer was doing a false shuffle. He wasn’t actually shuffling the cards. Even though it looked like he was mixing them, he wasn’t. We went to our hotel room and called surveillance. They said they would look into it, but they didn’t see anything. Even though there are several cameras, the views are limited, and the angle could be blocked. However, my wife had footage, and the scam was revealed.
What can happen with dealer after scam revealed?
Most of the time, they conduct an internal investigation, and in many casinos, they might prosecute you, or they might just fire you and revoke your gaming license so you can't be licensed elsewhere. In the U.S., Indian reservations do not have cheating laws in place. If they catch you, they can give you a 24-hour notice. This is what happens when cheating is caught.
Who usually catches the scams?
In the U.S., most of scams are caught other players. The cameras in the casino are usually monitored by 3-4 people, and they have other responsibilities as well. They are watching jackpot scat, cashiers and conduct their internal investigations. Fortunately, you can go back and watch the footage again but the chances of seeing it are slim.
What do you think about the scams in online poker?
Online poker is not my specialty. I have read about one thing. We could be in the same room, and I’d text you, and when you reply to me, my software could infect your computer and allow me to see your whole hand. Never respond to people’s chats.
What is the most important to you in life?
Spending quality time with my family as time flows and I have a lot of interest. I do a lot of lectures in universities of memory.
Are your lectures similar to those by Jim Kwik?
Yes, but this course is not new. I have many books on this information in my library, including one from the 1500s. It’s nothing new—just the same information, but updated. This whole interest in memory started with cheating. When I saw them playing baccarat game, I thought, "Wow, they were writing the cards down," but with memory techniques, you can memorize them, or even memorize them during the shuffle.
What trick do you use to memorize them?
I turn numbers into letters, letters into words, and words into pictures, and then I associate them. I do this whole process in less than half a second. I’ve installed a system in my brain, and once the brain is familiar with the system, it becomes instant. Anyone can do it! I try to educate people. You can learn more on this website: www.artofmemory.com.
