What is Edge Sorting?
Gamblers have been trying to outsmart live casinos with different strategies since the very first land-based ones opened ages ago. One well-known tactic is card counting, which Edward Thorp developed back in the 1960s for blackjack. But there are other smart moves out there, like edge sorting, famously used by Phil Ivey to bag big wins playing baccarat. So, what's the deal with edge sorting, and is it a legal way to play at the best live casinos in Zambia? Keep reading to find out!
What Exactly is Edge Sorting?
Edge sorting is a clever gambling trick where players figure out a card's value just by spotting tiny differences in its back design. It might sound complicated, but it's really about noticing little flaws or imperfections on the back of playing cards. By using these slight variations, players can get an advantage. While this move is most talked about in baccarat, it can also work for other card games like blackjack, where a sharp eye can really turn the tables. The trick to edge sorting is being able to spot and remember these small inconsistencies, making them a powerful tool when you're playing.
How Does Edge Sorting Work?
To most casual players in Zambia, the back of a face-down card looks the same as any other. But for someone skilled in edge sorting, this is where the real game begins. These players have incredibly sharp eyesight and lots of experience at the card table. This allows them to identify cards based purely on the patterns on their backs.
Card Manufacturing and 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.
