Ever since card games became popular in casinos, people have tried to find a way to gain an advantage over the house. Casinos have quickly picked up on different techniques players employ, such as card counting, past posting, and collaboration with other players at the table. However, there’s one technique that’s still stuck in a gray area—edge sorting.
This technique isn’t exactly illegal, but many casinos have refused to pay the winnings that have been earned through it. In this article, we’ll explain what edge sorting is, how it works in different card games, and give the most notable examples of when it worked.
What Is Edge Sorting?
The edge sorting technique involves identifying subtle differences on the back of playing cards to gain an advantage in gambling. The method relies on exploiting imperfections in the printing or cutting of the cards to determine whether a card has a high or low value.
Certain decks of cards have imperfections in their design, such as variations in the size of the patterns or the patterns themselves. By closely examining the cards and memorizing these irregularities, a skilled edge sorter can categorize the cards into high-value and low-value groups and know which cards are face-down.
How Does Edge Sorting Technique Work?
In order for edge sorting to be explained, understood, and applied, a few things need to fall into place.
Firstly, the casino has to use a specific deck of cards. Edge sorting can only be executed with specific decks of cards that have irregular patterns on their edges. These irregularities may be variations in the size of the patterns or slight differences in the shape of the pattern. Once you determine these differences, you can start sorting out the cards.
Secondly, the dealer must approve card rotation, so it’s possible to sort out high and low-value cards. For example, you can ask the dealer to rotate the cards that have high value so you can identify them later on. This request is often made as part of a superstitious ritual or preference. High rollers, who may have more influence or privileges, might have a better chance of getting the dealer to comply with this request.
Thirdly, the table must use an automatic shuffler. By using an automatic shuffler, the irregularities on the card edges can be maintained in their relative positions during the shuffle, making it easier for the edge sorter to identify high-value or low-value cards during the game.
Once you have everything in place, you’ll be able to determine the winning hand in most rounds and use this advantage to rake in big winnings.
Poker Edge Sorting
We have bad news for all you poker players. Edge sorting in poker is almost impossible due to external factors. Even if other players at the table were okay with your suspicious rotation of the cards, these cards would be regularly dealt to other people who would rotate them back and ruin your strategy.
Even the legendary poker player Phil Ivey hasn’t used this technique for poker. The famous controversy behind Phil Ivey and edge sorting popularized this technique after this American poker player used it to win almost $9.6 million during four sessions at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. He won another $12 million by playing Punto Banco at the Crockfords Casino in London. This resulted in a huge battle in the courts where Ivey claimed he didn’t cheat but admitted to using edge sorting. However, he won that money in baccarat, a card game that’s perfectly suited for edge sorting.
Baccarat Edge Sorting
Baccarat is a perfect card game for edge sorting as it doesn’t involve other people, and it relies on simple principles. The basic idea is that you bet on either your or the dealer’s hand to be the winning one, with each card having a specific value.
The most valuable cards in baccarat are 6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s. Therefore, you want the dealer to rotate these cards so that you know when they’re coming and gain a significant edge. It’s because of this unique gameplay that edge sorting in baccarat can be so successful, as seen in the case of Phil Ivey. It’s one of the most notable edge sorting examples to date. However, many casinos have spotted this technique and will look for signs if you try to use it.
Blackjack Edge Sorting
Theoretically, it’s possible to utilize edge sorting as a means of gaining an advantage in blackjack, provided the dealer is willing to fulfill your requests. In this scenario, you would need to rotate specific cards to identify picture cards and potentially gain an advantage over the house. This technique can be advantageous if you arrange the shoe in a way that allows you to spot these high-value cards
However, it’s crucial to note that such a strategy can only be effective in rare circumstances where you are the sole player at the table and there are no other players expressing concerns about delays caused by your actions. In a typical blackjack game, accommodating requests for card rotation and attempting to exploit edge sorting would likely disrupt the flow of the game and draw attention from both the dealers and other players. Thus, successfully employing edge sorting in blackjack to gain an advantage is highly unlikely in typical casino settings.
Edge Sorting in Online Casinos
Because edge sorting in card games relies on the dealer rotating the cards, the only way it can work is in live baccarat games. Unlike in physical casinos, you can’t ask the dealer to rotate the cards since online games are typically automated and lack human dealers. Moreover, online games are observed by numerous players, making it impractical for dealers to accommodate individual requests.
However, there are still some aspects of edge sorting that can be adapted to online play, particularly in games like baccarat. The main idea is to focus on understanding the composition of the remaining cards in the shoe rather than predicting specific upcoming cards. By determining whether there’s a higher proportion of high or low cards left, players can gain a slight advantage in their decision-making, akin to card counting. While this approach doesn’t guarantee success, it can stack the odds in the player’s favor.
The feasibility of discerning the differences on the back of cards in online casinos is uncertain. Cameras used in online games often have wide-angle lenses that may not allow players to notice such minute details. However, it’s worth noting that modern live baccarat games in reputable online casinos often employ high-definition graphics, with some even offering resolutions as high as 4K. While it’s technically possible to see the back of the cards, it’s still challenging.
Conclusion
Edge sorting is a controversial technique that has garnered attention in the casino world. While it has been employed to gain an advantage in games like baccarat, its effectiveness and legality hinge on specific circumstances. This method relies on identifying irregularities on the back of cards to categorize them into high- or low-value ones. However, successful implementation requires specific decks with irregular patterns, the cooperation of dealers to rotate the cards, and the use of automatic shufflers.
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FAQ
Is edge sorting illegal?
The legality of edge sorting depends on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances. While it’s not inherently illegal in some places, many casinos consider it a form of cheating and may ban players caught using this technique.
What is the most common sorting technique used by card players?
The most common sorting technique used by card players is card counting. Card counting refers to keeping track of the cards that have been dealt in a card game to predict the cards that are yet to be dealt.
What is edge sorting in Mississippi Stud?
Edge sorting is not specifically associated with Mississippi Stud because it’s virtually impossible to implement it in poker games.
February 1, 2023
