"I saw a movie recently called "The Cooler". The premice is that a the casino uses a guy that is so unlucky that he can just walk up to a table and the game will go cold for the players. I'm guessing this is pure fiction. Did casinos ever use this oddball stratagy to foil high rollers?"

Not as much as they would deliberately slip in a hot dealer, or worse yet a ringer. Based solely on my experience of course. Although "The Cooler" concept does resemble shill placement and could be construed by some as a cooling effect so to speak. Sometimes, these guys and/or gals will appear pre-equipped, with fabricated backgrounds, business cards, etc. If a person didn't know any better, you'd swear they were just another legitimate run of the mill tourist. I know this to be fact. I can also attest to what another person posted. It is true, that certain "highly skilled" dealers can & do cheat. A fact that is repeatedly debunked by most individuals swearing allegiance to the casino gaming industry. Or so attempted. Trade secrets if you will, held closely amongst seasoned insiders. However not all gamblers warrant a visit from the casino arsenal, the vast majority lose perfectly well all on their own. Personally, I refer to shills as equalizers. Because one good player can turn an entire shift on it's nose. Especially if this player has mastered the art of stealth, leaving floor bosses thinking he's just another lucky degenerate, soon to be broke.

Also, contrary to popular belief, don't believe everything you hear. Because much of it is preventative maintenance propaganda, designed to discourage certain levels of play. For instance the alleged College Ivy League teams who scientifically clip a series of joints to the tune of millions. Most of those stories are over inflated. Some "but few" carry a shred of truth. I personally have witnessed these groups, along with their "so called" ability to place a dent in a casino. Most "nearly all" soon gather like rats over a comp buffet, strategizing on how to scrounge up their next play-stake. With one or more crying a story on how their tuition fee's accidently went unpaid, to Mom or Dad over a cell phone in hopes of the Western Union cash infusion. It's all bull with these guys, the real threat comes from the High powered Lone Wolf who's honed his ability to win consistantly. If he's cash heavy and has mastered the art of stealhism, then look out. However some do make the mistake of mastering the game before mastering the ability to camouflage it. Remember news travels quick!