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Edge Sorting in Gambling: Skill or Cheating?

What is Edge Sorting?

Edge sorting is a smart way to see small flaws on cards. Players who use this method can figure out what cards will show next by spotting tiny patterns. This gives them a big advantage in games.

Rulings on Edge Sorting

The 2017 UK Supreme Court ruled against pro player Phil Ivey. It was a key case that branded edge sorting as cheating, not just a clever tactic. This opinion is shared in many areas of the US too.

How It’s Done

Edge sorting needs players to:

• Notice small print mistakes
• Flip cards a certain way
• Keep a close watch on cards
• Use mistakes to win

Casinos Fight Back

To block edge sorting, casinos:

• Inspect their cards well
• Swap decks more often
• Keep an eye on tables more
• Update their rules

These actions prove that casinos see edge sorting as a big problem, even if it needs skill.

Details on Edge Sorting

Edge sorting plays on flaws along card edges to guess values before they’re played. It uses the tiny differences in the back patterns of the cards.

Spotting and Using Card Patterns

During card making, some changes in patterns may appear. Someone who can spot these can tell high and low cards by their edges. These differences are very small, often less than a millimeter.

How to Use It

Setting Up Cards

The first key step is to set the cards right. Players try to make the dealer turn high cards one way and low cards another way. They might ask this by talking about lucky beliefs.

In the Game

Edge sorting works well in games like:

• Baccarat
• Blackjack
• Other casino card games

This trick can really help in making sharp moves in the game.

Getting Good at It

To sort edges right, you need:

• Sharp eyes
• Strong focus
• Pattern insight
• Good timing

All these can give a player a huge advantage in a casino.

Cases Where This Was Used

Big Court Decisions

Court fights over edge sorting have shaped gambling laws. Big cases set key rules that all in gambling now follow.

The Fight at Crockfords Casino

In 2012, Phil Ivey vs. Crockfords Casino became a major fight. Ivey won a lot through edge sorting, but the casino refused to pay. This went up to a big 2017 UK Supreme Court decision.

The court stated that no matter the skill involved, edge sorting counts as cheating.

The Borgata Case

Another big case was in Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. Ivey again won big with this method. Later, the court ordered him to return the money, citing rule violations of fair play.

What the Law Says Now

These big cases confirm that edge sorting, even if skilled, is not okay. It contrasts with the idea that casino games should be random and fair. This has made casinos toughen their security and game rules greatly.

The Fine Line in Casino Gaming

The Legal Puzzle

Is edge sorting cheating or clever play? It’s a tough question. It lies between illegal card marking and acceptable card counting. It uses flaws the casino should spot but still does not mess with the cards.

The Courts and Casino Rights

Courts often back casinos, seeing the sly side of edge sorting. It often causes the player and dealer to work in a sneaky way. This teamwork is central in court decisions, and there’s still much debate on whether this is really fraud.

What are the Rules?

The main issue is whether edge sorting breaks the casino’s rules of random play. Using keen eyes instead of tampering with the cards makes this a tricky decision in court. The line between clever play and cheating is slim here. This keeps being a hot topic for those who make the rules and run casinos.

Casinos fight edge sorting by:

• Certain card mixing
• Better cards that don’t show marks
• Stronger watching

They’re working hard to keep games fair for all.

Watching and Rules

New Eyes on the Game

Casinos watch for any hints of edge sorting. They look for odd requests or too much focus on card backs.

Keeping Things Tight

Now, casinos make sure no one touches cards and keep the rules strict. This has made things safer and more fair.

The Right Way to Play?

Smart Play or Cheating?

Advantage play like edge sorting is tricky to define. It’s not clearly cheating, but it’s not clearly fair either. The Phil Ivey case shows that courts see it more as cheating.

Looking at What’s Fair

To decide if something is fair, we need to think about:

• If it messes with game gear
• If it involves sneaky teamwork
• If it breaks the casino deal

Edge sorting stands out as it needs some dealer help. This makes the player’s schemes hard to spot.

The Law Here and There

Rulings on what’s okay can differ widely. What’s fine in one place might not be in another. And as new tricks emerge, the rules keep changing. The world of casino play is always shifting, and what’s okay and what’s not is always up for discussion.

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