Marked cards have been a part of card games for centuries, with players trying to find ways to gain an advantage over their opponents. The concept of marked cards is simple: the deck of cards is altered in some way, either by adding markings, changing the size or color of the cards, or otherwise altering the appearance of the cards, so that the person holding the marked deck can determine the value of the cards in another player’s hand.
There are several different types of marked cards, each with its own unique set of markings and methods of alteration. Some of the most common types of marked cards include:
- Ink Marked Cards: These cards are marked with special invisible ink that can only be seen under UV light. The ink is applied to the back of the cards, either by hand or with a specialized machine, and is used to indicate the value of the cards. For example, a small dot on the back of a card might indicate that it is an ace, while a larger dot might indicate that it is a king.
- Stripped Deck Cards: These cards have had their backs stripped, either by sanding or by using a specialized machine, to remove the standard design and leave only the color or pattern of the cards. The stripped deck cards are then reassembled in a different order, so that the person holding the deck can determine the value of the cards in another player’s hand by the color or pattern of the back of the card.
- Punch Marked Cards: These cards are marked by punching a small hole in the card, either by hand or with a specialized machine. The hole can be used to indicate the value of the card, or it can be used to track the card as it is dealt and played.
- Mirror Marked Cards: These cards are marked by adding a small mirror to the back of the card, which allows the person holding the deck to see the value of the cards in another player’s hand by reflecting light off the card and onto their hand.
Regardless of the type of marked cards being used, the goal is always the same: to gain an advantage over the other players by being able to determine the value of their cards. This can be especially useful in games such as poker, where knowing the value of the cards in another player’s hand can help you make better decisions about which cards to play and when to bluff.
Despite the advantages that marked cards can offer, they are illegal in many countries and banned from use in most casinos and card rooms. The use of marked cards cheating can greatly increase the winning rate of card games.
However, the use of marked cards is not limited to cheating in card games. They have also been used for magic tricks and illusions, as well as for testing and evaluating card shuffling machines. In these cases, the use of marked cards is not intended to gain an advantage over others, but rather to test the efficiency and accuracy of the shuffling machines or to create illusions for the audience.
The use of marked cards has a long and storied history, with evidence of their use dating back to the 16th century. During this time, marked cards were used by gamblers and tricksters to cheat their way to victory, and they have been used for this purpose ever since. Despite the efforts of law enforcement and card manufacturers to prevent the use of marked cards, they continue to be used to this day.
In conclusion, marked cards have been a part of card games for centuries, and despite efforts to prevent their use, they continue to be used by those looking to gain an advantage over their opponents. Whether used for cheating, magic tricks