In casino gaming, is edge sorting a legitimate strategy, or is it cheating? This controversial technique involves identifying subtle and nearly invisible flaws on the backs of playing cards to gain an advantage. Proponents argue it’s merely observing what the casino provides to players at CrownPlay. But, critics counter it defies the spirit of fair play. Where should casinos and regulators draw the line?
The edge sorting saga gained mainstream attention during the Phil Ivey Baccarat case. Over two nights in 2012, Ivey won $9.6 million at baccarat in Atlantic City. Later the Borgata Casino sued Ivey, alleging he gained an unfair advantage by edge sorting the cards. So what exactly is edge sorting and why is it so controversial?
What Is Edge Sorting?
Edge sorting refers to techniques that exploit tiny defects on card backs to identify which cards are which. Standard playing card backs are designed symmetrically, so flipped cards look identical. But minute irregularities during manufacturing mean the top/bottom or sides of card backs can differ ever so slightly.
To edge sort, players first break in decks of cards using techniques like ’riffle bowing’ to exacerbate these flaws. Then during play, they spot these irregularities to identify cards as they’re dealt. By keeping track of these patterns, players gain substantial information about cards remaining in the shoe.
For example, let’s say the upper left corner of all diamond cards has a faint white spot. If a player spots that marking on a card, they know with certainty it’s a diamond. This gives them a measurable advantage by tracking suits and high-value cards.
Controversy: Advantage Play or Cheating?
Given its power, edge sorting generates tremendous controversy around whether it constitutes fair play or cheating:
Case Against Edge Sorting
- Alters cards without the casino’s consent
- Uses marked cards to subvert randomness
- Violates rules of the game that cards be ’as provided’
Case For Edge Sorting
- Doesn’t introduce new marks into game
- Uses keen observation of existing cards
- Similar to card counting in blackjack
Card counters also leverage mental tracking to gain an advantage and that’s legal. But they don’t alter the deck itself. Opponents argue edge sorting crosses ethical lines by manipulating the very equipment that makes games possible.
Phil Ivey Baccarat Case
The Phil Ivey edge sorting case brought these debates into mainstream view. Over two nights in 2012, Ivey won $9.6 million playing punto banco baccarat at Borgata in Atlantic City. Later Borgata sued Ivey to recover losses, alleging he gained “a significant advantage” by edge sorting.
Edge Sorting Scheme
Ivey requested a private area to play, along with a specific brand of cards known to have edge irregularities. His companion then used tiny imperfections on card backs to identify face values during play. By tracking these patterns, Ivey gained a significant edge.
Verdict
Despite the advantages gained by Ivey’s scheme, initial rulings focused less on ethical questions and more on legal technicalities. A federal judge first ruled Borgata’s case was about what constitutes a defect under state gaming regulations. On those grounds, the judge ruled for Ivey. But a federal appeals court later overturned that decision, ruling edge sorting did defraud Borgata under New Jersey law. However, the case was ultimately settled out of court in 2019.
Edge Sorting Legality: Unclear Lines
For casinos and regulators, the Ivey saga demonstrated gray areas around what constitutes cheating:
- Altering cards – illegal
- Tracking existing irregularities – unclear
One key distinction revolves around introducing new marks versus observing existing ones. Ivey’s team changed card orientations but didn’t add new physical marks. Still their actions could be interpreted as introducing functional alterations – a meaningful, if subtle distinction.
In the end, the case shows advantages gained through equipment manipulation violate general rules of fair play, even if specific laws remain unclear. It comes down to intent – while card counting leverages mental skill to shift odds, edge sorting uses equipment flaws to undermine randomness central to casino games.
Looking Ahead: Technology & Fair Play
As gaming technology advances, more advantage play schemes will emerge in gray areas between skill and cheating. To preserve fairness, regulators will likely take a more expansive view of what constitutes manipulation:
- Alterations – Both physical marks and functional changes undermine core game mechanics.
- Observation – Tracking and leveraging naturally occurring characteristics without alterations.
- In that context, edge sorting clearly crosses the line – it alters equipment function, however subtly. Card counting, while shifting odds significantly, uses only keen observation within game rules.
Ultimately gaming rules aren’t static – they evolve alongside technology and human ingenuity. But their spirit remains unchanged – fair contests determined more by skill than by manipulation or defects. As schemes test boundaries, casinos, and regulators must reinforce that spirit above all.
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Featured Image: Eduardo Leal/Bloomberg via Getty Images
