Should surveillance observers undergo annual testing?

I don't think observers should be tested annually because the Director of Surveillance in most cases i have known have no clue about game knowledge, p & p's or what to look for. They sit in their office and surf the web all day and bring nothing to the table. They say all the right things during management meetings and everybody thinks they know their stuff but in reality their pulling the "wool over their eyes."

I think Jarad you should really change the places you work at. In the event that you have worked for a Director, or as we call them here a manager who is cluless and surf's the net, then more the need to find alternative work where your mind and potential can be led and stimulated. I enforce quarterly testing of aspects of Surveillance that have through analysis been identified as risk or under monitored areas. This has allowed for our monitoring team to identify numerous contraventions in procedures and legilsative requirements, as well identification and arrest of syndicates trying to scam our casino. The re-testing and evaluation of surveillance staff is not only essential, but also critical to ensure that we stay on the edge at all times. And yes, sometimes being a manager you lose your edge and forget the maximum or can't count decl=ks of cards, but then if you have employed the right people, then half the battle has been won.

As a former Surveillance Director I absolutely agree that surveillance agents/observers should be tested. I tested our agents on a weekly basis. They completed written tests on basic strategy, money management systems, sleight of hand moves and tells as well as game rules and policy/procedures. I studied all aspects of game protection obsessively, we held training on a monthly basis concerning various topics and the agents were held accountable for their training and job performance. My advice to you Jarad is the same as Shaun's, if you do not trust your director to know his/her job then look elsewhere. Continue your education in this field and you will excell.

As a former technician and a Surveillance Director/Manager....you need to test. As a tech I needed to know what I was doing on a daily basis so that I could keep things up and running...that knowledge helped me get to where I am now as the Director/Manager. My only issue with testing isn't from the department side, but the corporate side...they don't understand what our role truly is, so they are unsure of the testing...but we are working on it and will test our staff. When you stop learning you stop growing...one way to challenge you is to test you...and that allows me to find what is our weaknesses and what are our strengths. Then we can figure out how to improve our training and create better agents that want to go further in their careers then just sitting watching the monitor.

I agree with Shaun and John...if you do not trust your director's knowledge...then you are in the wrong place. I've worked for two Surveillance Directors in my career...they both had their weaknesses (being a tech...they wanted me to get it done and make it work...they didn't need to know how it worked)...but they did try to learn as much as possible from me and I tried to learn as much from them.

If my last director wasn't certain of my knowledge...he wouldn't have recommended me for my current position...my first director...was proud of what I had learned and where I got to. But their knowledge and willingness to train and challenge me...that made me excell and improve.

it certainly wouldn't hurt if there are annual exams. if there aren't any, the director can cross-check with the operators' performances. from there he or she can tell who is knowledgable enough and make necessary actions if necessary.

Testing is not the answer. A good Teacher is the answer, because I learned gaming the hard way! My training was actual ring game. Although, I earned 29 First place trophies in Blackjack, Poker - Texas Holdem, Omaha hi-low split, Razz, stud, Chinese checker (Russian Roullette), Slots - over 100 Royal flushes on bonus aces, double-double triple play, 25 deuces wild, keno, or the $10,000.- 1st place at Bingo Palace. I have played all casino games for 40 years, memorized - strats, blackjack and the ultimate place to Master gaming is Surveillance. Thank, GOD - Our Director of Surveillance is an excellent teacher. Now, Do you think you can bet the river? odds you will drown. Are you smart enough to take the heat without getting burned?. Time will tell when you are good enough to keep your wits.