What is Edge Sorting?
Since the very first casinos popped up centuries ago, players have been trying to find clever ways to get an edge. You've probably heard of card counting, a strategy made famous by Edward Thorp for blackjack back in the 1960s. But there are other smart tactics out there too, like the one Phil Ivey used to win big playing baccarat – edge sorting. So, what exactly is edge sorting, and can you really use it legally at Ghana's best live casinos? Stick around and we'll break it all down for you!
What is Edge Sorting?
Edge sorting is a smart gambling technique where players try to figure out the value of a card by spotting tiny flaws or unevenness on its back design. While it might sound complicated, at its core, it's all about noticing subtle imperfections on the card backs. By using these slight variations, players can gain an advantage. This method is most often talked about with baccarat, but it can also be useful in other card games like blackjack and poker. Basically, if you're sharp enough to spot and remember these little differences, you can turn them into a powerful tool when you play. It’s all about keen observation!
Breaking Down Edge Sorting
To most casual players, the back of a facedown card looks the same as any other. But for someone skilled in edge sorting, this is where the real game begins. These players have super sharp eyes and tons of experience, letting them identify cards just by looking at the pattern on the back. It's like having x-ray vision for card designs!
How Card Making Affects Edge Sorting
The secret behind edge sorting lies in the card manufacturing process. Occasionally, during production, slight variances occur in the cutting of cards, leading to faintly different patterns along the edges. To the uninitiated, these discrepancies are nearly imperceptible, but to a player with a trained eye, these variations are as clear as day. They can spot the telltale signs of different cards by scrutinizing the edges that show when the cards are stacked or spread out.
Professional edge sorters hone this skill over time, developing a keen sense of attention to detail that allows them to distinguish between cards that look identical to most. This ability doesn't just come naturally; it is often the result of hours of practice and a deep understanding of how different card decks are produced and used in live casinos. This explains why live casinos frequently change decks, as adept edge sorting can dramatically shift the odds in a game, providing insightful players with a significant advantage. Thus, edge sorting, while not widely practiced due to its complexity and the need for exceptional observational skills, remains a fascinating and potentially game-changing strategy in the world of high-stakes card gaming.
Balancing Risk and Reward
Edge sorting, while undoubtedly challenging, presents a unique opportunity to tilt the odds in your favor when playing against a live casino. The potential advantage gained through this technique can be as high as 7%. In practical terms, for every $100 wagered, edge sorting could theoretically yield a $7 return. While this margin might seem modest at first glance, it holds substantial appeal for high-stakes players.
Consider the scenario of betting $500 per hand. With edge sorting, this could result in an additional $35 per hand. If a player engages in 50 hands within an hour, this strategy could potentially lead to an extra $1,750 in that timeframe. Such figures illustrate why edge sorting is particularly attractive to high rollers, who can leverage their large bets to amplify their gains.
However, it's important to acknowledge the realities of relying on edge sorting as a consistent income source. To sustain a lifestyle solely through this strategy requires a substantial bankroll, and the risks involved are not negligible. Additionally, consistently winning through edge sorting may draw attention at the casino. High-profile players, especially those winning frequently, often find themselves under scrutiny. Casinos are known for their measures against players who are too successful, particularly if they suspect an unconventional strategy like edge sorting. Therefore, while edge sorting can be lucrative, it requires careful consideration of both the financial and practical aspects of casino gaming.
Is Using Edge Sorting Legal?
Casinos often regard the edge sorting strategy as blatant cheating, while many casino players consider it as a legitimate advantage play. The players themselves don’t manufacture the table game cards, so they believe they're not doing anything wrong.
However, Phil Ivey and his partner Cheung Yin Sun's $9.6 million win at the Borgata casino playing baccarat led to a lawsuit citing cheating allegations. In 2016, a federal judge ruled that the players refund the casino $10 million.
Interestingly, the US District Judge, Noel Hillman, ruled that the players didn’t commit any fraud. Instead, he found that the players violated the casino rules that prohibit the marking of cards. Although they didn’t physically mark the cards, the players used tiny card imperfections to their advantage.
In another instance, Crockfords casino in the UK refused to pay Phil his $11 million winnings from a 2012 session. He sued them, but lost again in the UK High Court after a judge classified edge sorting as “cheating.” It was pointed out that the case would have turned out differently if Phil had spotted the cards through simple observation instead of deliberately fixing the deck.
