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Mastering Edge Sorting: Strategies for Gaining an Advantage in Casinos

Understanding the Complexities of Edge Sorting in Table Games

When it comes to gambling, there are many ways players try to tilt the odds in their favour. Some may attempt outright cheating, while others opt for more subtle strategies that push the boundaries of what's considered fair play.

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One such method experienced gamblers use is edge sorting, a controversial technique that relies on spotting minor imperfections on the backs of playing cards to gain a strategic advantage. Unlike traditional cheating methods, edge sorting doesn’t involve altering cards or using hidden devices, making it a grey area in the world of casino gaming.

So, how does edge sorting work, and is it really legal? In this article, we’ll break down the mechanics of this technique, explore its ethical and legal implications, and highlight some of the most famous cases involving edge sorting in table games.

What is Edge Sorting?

In essence, edge sorting is a technique some players use in table games, mostly in baccarat, to gain a significant advantage over the casino by exploiting the subtle differences on the backs of playing cards.

By recognising these irregularities, players can determine the value of specific cards, giving them a strategic edge. Interestingly, this method isn't about counting cards or manipulating the game but rather about observation and attention to detail. While it doesn’t involve physically altering cards or using any hidden devices, edge sorting has led to widespread controversy within the gambling world. Many see it as a legal loophole, while others, including casinos, view it as unethical play.

The practice rose to prominence following high-profile cases, most notably involving professional poker player Phil Ivey. Ivey’s legal battles, specifically his encounters at London’s Crockfords Club and Atlantic City’s Borgata, shone a spotlight on edge sorting and its implications for both players and casinos.

How Does Edge Sorting Work?

As mentioned, edge sorting relies on recognising the minute imperfections found on the backs of playing cards. Most casino cards have repetitive patterns on the back, designed to make them look the same regardless of how they are turned. Yet, minor irregularities can exist, especially in lower-quality cards, which makes the cards asymmetrical. Eagle-eyed edge sorters use this asymmetry to their advantage.

Here is a breakdown of how this technique plays out:

  • A player notices differences in the edges of the cards due to slight variations in design
  • The player may ask the dealer to rotate specific cards during the dealing process, often focusing on high-value or key cards
  • Over time, the rotated cards become easy to spot during future rounds, even when dealt face down

For example, in a game like baccarat, where high-value cards are crucial, recognising these cards can dramatically increase a player's chances of making profitable bets. The key to edge sorting’s success is spotting these differences without altering the game in an obvious way.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Edge Sorting

Edge sorting offers clear advantages and potential risks for those who attempt it. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks can explain why some gamblers seek to exploit this strategy while others may shy away due to the potential consequences.

Benefits of Edge Sorting

  1. Increased Advantage: The primary benefit of edge sorting is that it gives players a statistical advantage over the casino. By identifying high and low-value cards through subtle differences in card backs, players can make more informed decisions, which increases their odds of winning
  2. Legality in Some Jurisdictions: While controversial, edge sorting is not always classified as cheating in all legal systems. Some argue that it relies on observation rather than tampering, allowing skilled players to capitalise on casino oversights
  3. No Special Tools Required: Edge sorting doesn’t require devices, tools, or external aids. It’s based purely on observation, making it more discreet and harder for casinos to detect compared to other forms of advantage play

Drawbacks of Edge Sorting

  1. Legal Risks: Even though it doesn’t involve physical tampering, edge sorting has led to legal action. Notable cases, like that of Phil Ivey, show that casinos may sue players who use this technique. Courts have sometimes ruled that it violates the terms of fair play, leading to the confiscation of winnings
  2. High Complexity: Successfully executing edge sorting requires exceptional attention to detail and skill. Not all players have the observational skills necessary to consistently identify imperfections in card designs. Additionally, specific conditions, such as the type of deck and dealer cooperation, are necessary for edge sorting to work
  3. Limited Opportunities: Edge sorting only works with physical card games where certain decks have asymmetrical patterns. Many casinos have switched to using cards with uniform designs or automatic shuffling machines, significantly reducing opportunities to use this technique

Ultimately, while edge sorting can work well for those skilled enough to use it, the legal risks, overall difficulty, and changing casino practices present notable drawbacks.

Famous Edge Sorting Incidents

Edge sorting gained international attention in 2012 when well-known poker player Phil Ivey and his accomplice, professional gambler Cheung Yin “Kelly” Sun, used the technique to win £7.7 million at London’s Crockfords Club. Ivey and Sun played several rounds of Punto Banco (a popular baccarat variant), requesting that specific cards be rotated. After his massive win, Crockfords refused to pay out, citing edge sorting as the reason.

A similar incident occurred at the Borgata in Atlantic City, where Ivey won nearly $10 million using the same technique. In both cases, Ivey argued that he had not cheated, but the courts sided with the casinos, ruling that while his method didn’t involve deception or tampering, it was nonetheless a violation of the rules.

These cases highlighted the thin line between advantage play and cheating and sparked widespread debate in the gambling community.

The legality of edge sorting varies depending on the jurisdiction. In many places, it falls into a grey area, neither clearly illegal nor explicitly allowed. There is also debate regarding whether it counts as cheating. As previously stated, cheating requires the player to manipulate the game in any way, for instance, by involving loaded dice. Even though edge sorting doesn’t require direct interference from the player, some still consider it unfair because it exploits imperfections outside of the game’s standard rules.

In both the UK and the US, courts have ruled that while edge sorting doesn’t constitute traditional cheating, it violates the game's spirit, especially when the player influences how the cards are dealt.

For casinos, this distinction is crucial. While card counters can be banned from the premises for advantage play, edge sorters can be sued for their winnings if the casino can prove that their actions went against the rules of fair play.

Why is Edge Sorting Controversial?

Edge sorting remains controversial because of how it walks a fine line between advantage play and cheating. This technique isn’t physically intrusive like most regular cheating methods in gambling and enables players to make more informed betting decisions, giving them an edge (which casinos argue is unfair).

One of the reasons it sparks debate is the player's influence on how the cards are handled. Although edge sorting doesn’t change the physical structure of the cards, players often request specific ways of dealing or rotating the cards, so the valuable ones are much easier to spot. While such requests seem out of the ordinary, casinos have often indulged players’ good-luck rituals to keep them engaged at the tables. Casinos argue that such requests amount to manipulating the game, as players are influencing the orientation of cards in their favour.

Another obvious reason for the controversy is the legal rulings surrounding edge sorting. Cases like Phil Ivey’s have brought the issue to the forefront of gambling law. In Ivey's case, the courts ruled that while edge sorting didn’t fit the traditional definition of cheating, it still violated the implied terms of the casino game, which are meant to ensure fairness for both parties. The decision hinged on the fact that Ivey’s method relied on manipulating the dealer's behaviour and, consequently, taking unfair advantage of the casino’s vulnerability.

As a result, even though edge sorting doesn't involve explicit rule-breaking, its grey area status leaves it open to interpretation. Casinos, seeking to preserve their integrity and maintain fair games, continue to challenge edge sorters, resulting in a legal and ethical debate that is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

How Casinos Respond to Edge Sorting

Casinos have implemented several strategies to prevent players from using edge sorting. One effective measure is ensuring that all playing cards are perfectly symmetrical, with no visible differences on the edges. By eliminating the slight irregularities that edge sorters try to benefit from, casinos significantly reduce the chances of anyone singling out key cards.

Another method involves using automatic shuffling machines, which randomly rotate the cards as they are shuffled. This prevents any player from requesting that specific cards be turned in a particular direction.

Dealers are also trained to handle cards consistently without catering to unusual requests from players regarding the orientation of the cards. In high-stakes games, security measures are heightened further to monitor for suspicious behaviour, such as repeated requests to rotate certain cards.

In the End, is it all Worth it?

To conclude, edge sorting presents a unique strategy that doesn’t fall neatly into the categories of fair play or outright cheating. While it doesn’t involve breaking any explicit rules, its reliance on manipulating the card dealing process puts it in a murky ethical space.

Casinos have responded to the rise of edge sorting by adopting stricter security measures and improving the quality of their cards. Nonetheless, as long as there are physical aspects of casino games to exploit, advantage players may continue seeking ways to tip the scales in their favour. Understanding the complexities of edge sorting helps shed light on the ongoing struggle between players and casinos in the quest for the upper hand.