Phil Ivey and the Edge Sorting Scandal - a stroke of genius or a hoax?
Phil Ivey, a legend in the poker world, is considered one of the best players of all time. But the winner of eleven WSOP bracelets, the winner of hundreds of tournaments, and a man with an incredible ability to read his opponents also has a scandal to his credit that, even after all these years, has no clear resolution.
Phil Ivey, a legend in the poker world, is considered one of the best players of all time. But the winner of eleven WSOP bracelets, the winner of hundreds of tournaments, and a man with an incredible ability to read his opponents also has a scandal to his credit that, even after all these years, has no clear resolution.
How it all began: London's Crockfords Casino (2012)
In August 2012, Ivey and professional gambler Cheung Yin Sun visited London's Crockfords Casino. Their goal was to play baccarat - a game based on luck in which the casino always has a slight advantage. But Ivey and Sun were confident they could turn that advantage to their advantage. How? By using a technique known as edge sorting.
Edge sorting is the ability to spot minor manufacturing defects on the back of playing cards. Since many casinos use imperfectly made cards with slight asymmetries, a skilled player can determine which cards are which before they are turned over.
