Card marking is the process of altering playing cards such that the suit, rank or both are only apparent to the person marking the cards (or potentially another conspirator), usually for the purpose of cheating at cards by card sharps. To be effective, the distinguishing mark or marks must be done on the obverse side, which are normally uniform. Card marking can sometimes also be called as card bending; it is considered to be the easiest way to mark probably. A cheater marks a card by crimping here.[1] Card marking is often used to cheat when gambling or for card tricks, though many casinos, particularly those in Las Vegas, punch holes through the middle of cards they sell to tourists to prevent cheaters from returning to the game tables after buying the cards and then slipping the favorable cards into their hands when playing.
Marked cards can be used regardless of who shuffles and deals the cards. However, some more sophisticated marked-cards scams involve additional manipulative skills to steer the cards into the correct positions once the desired cards have been identified.
Historically, the first attempts to mark playing cards involved bends, crimps and tiny bumps, which are called blisters (and resemble the Braille script). Later, when the first designs appeared on the backs of playing cards, cheats began altering the designs on the backs of cards. Hustlers have tried using various inks, pigments, scratches, etc., to add or remove lines or patterns from the back of the card design. Some varieties of card marking include block-out work, cut-out work, scroll work, shade work, tint work, etc. Here is a simple example of how block-out works and die in a hole cup. [2] can be done.
However, more recently, science and technology have also enhanced marked-card techniques. The most state-of-the-art technologies are variations of shade techniques. These new technologies are the most deceptive and futuristic methods for marking cards. Traditional block-out and/or cut-out work have the disadvantage that they must be read close-up, because the marks are small. On the other hand, another advantage of luminous and juice marked-card technology is that they can be read close-up or from across a table.
Block-out and cut-out work:
Shade technologies:
Video-luminous does not have to be used for cheating. They may be used for magic or by a poker house or person who may want to analyze a card game after the fact. If collusion is suspected, the recorded images of the marked cards may be played back later to detect any unusual play. If a player consistently folds a good hand when a partner plays a better hand, then it can be assumed that collusion is taking place in the game. Since these marks cannot be seen by the human eye, there is no chance of detection of the marks, even by knowledgeable players, during the game. Often such marked decks will only be introduced by the house when suspected colluders are seated.
It is not necessary to mark the entire deck in order to gain an advantage in most types of poker - even marking just one rank (especially the aces) is enough to gain a significant advantage in a game such as Texas hold 'em.
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1) Perform the gamblers' riffle test (also known as "going to the movies"). This test allegedly allows a person to detect most marked decks by simply riffling the cards. Looking at the back of the cards while they are being riffled, the marks will allegedly dance around the back of the cards like an old-fashioned cartoon. In fact, one must know exactly what marks to look for, or this method of detection may not work. The riffle test is less effective for detecting cards marked with luminous and juice.
2) Reflect light off the back of the card. Cut-out work (scratches or white ink) will display, as well as many inks or solutions that tend to dull the finish on playing cards because they are alcohol-based. Only the highest quality solutions will not burn the finish of cards. Placing a drop of alcohol on a card and then looking at the finish by reflecting light off the back reveals the dulling effect that these cheap solutions can cause.