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Casinos Watching Out for iPhone-Enabled Card Counting

by Terrence O'Brien on February 17, 2009 at 12:39 AM

iPhone Apps That Let You Count Cards

We know that you watched '21' and started wishing you could count cards and take a casino for all its worth. You probably even thought you could do it and get away with it... if it weren't for your lack of math skills standing in the way.

Fortunately, we live in an age in which one is never stuck with just one's wits and skills, which is why some gamblers are finding new, cutting-edge ways to beat (some would say 'cheat') the system. Instead of needing MIT-worthy math abilities to make millions at the blackjack tables, gamblers now only need an iPhone, a couple of bucks for an app (like 'Card Counter' or 'Blackjack Card Counter'), and balls of steel.

While counting cards in Nevada is not illegal (it is highly frowned upon), it is a felony to use an electronic or mechanical device to assist you in the process. And now gaming officials in Vegas are on the look out for people acting suspiciously with those Apple-branded handsets. So, if you're gonna try and use your iPhone to game the system, be careful -- they're watching you. [From: TUAW]

Banned iPhone Apps

    When Apple first introduced its App Store, we knew that it would only be a matter of time until the small number of amateur designers and budding entrepreneurs who submitted their apps would soon grow to be a free-for-all of humanity. Indeed, we were right, and Apple has -- at times -- made decisions to cut apps from their roster. Here are a few of the most notorious outlaws.

    'Wallpaper Universe'
    This benignly named app was, in fact, a way for users to decorate their home screens with images of nude women. Within mere hours of its being uploaded this past November, Apple had taken it down.

    'South Park'
    The official iPhone app of the hit TV show "South Park" was struck down by Apple this week, due to "potentially offensive" content. You'd think that, with all those episodes of "South Park" available on iTunes, the Apple folks would lighten up a bit. Or at least be consistent.

    'Murderdrome'
    A synthesis of graphic novel and iPhone app, 'Murderdrome' was banned from Apple's App Store due to -- we would gather -- scenes of extreme violence. Sure, seeing one cartoon character behead another might make somebody queasy, but this is America, ain't it?

    'Wobble!'
    Designed to enable users to take their own photos of scantily clad women and make their naughty parts "wobble," this app was -- surprisingly enough -- not censored by Apple. Its advertisement video, on the other hand, was banned due to its use of the words "boobs" and "booty." Go figure.

    'Pull My Finger'
    Apple banned this straightforwardly named app last year, citing its "limited utility." In December, though, 'Pull My Finger' made its triumphant return as the Apple arbiters changed their minds. We're glad that Apple finally accepted the timeless truth: nothing -- and we mean nothing -- is funnier than a fart joke.

    - Lee Bains


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Tags: app store, AppStore, black jack, BlackJack, counting cards, CountingCards, crime, gambling, top, tuaw

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