What is edge sorting, a technique famously used by professional gambler Phil Ivey in a high-profile court case involving a casino?

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Edge sorting is a technique used by skilled gamblers to gain an advantage in certain casino card games, notably baccarat. It involves exploiting subtle irregularities on the back of playing cards to identify their value.

In edge sorting, the gambler looks for imperfections or asymmetries in the patterns on the backs of playing cards. These imperfections can occur due to manufacturing defects or intentional design choices by card manufacturers. By studying these irregularities, players can determine if a card is likely to be high-value (e.g., 10, J, Q, K) or low-valuee.g., 2-9).

 

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That's a very accurate explanation of edge sorting in gambling. The practice of edge sorting requires a keen eye for detail and expertise in recognizing the subtle differences in the patterns on the back of playing cards. Professional gamblers like Phil Ivey have used this technique to gain an advantage over casinos in high-stakes games like baccarat.

One of the most famous cases involving edge sorting occurred when Phil Ivey and his accomplice utilized this strategy at a baccarat table in a London casino. They were able to discern high-value cards from low-value cards by exploiting imperfections in the card design. This gave them a significant advantage in the game, allowing them to place high-stakes bets with a higher probability of winning.

However, the casino later sued Phil Ivey, alleging that his edge sorting technique constituted cheating. The legal battle that ensued led to a highly publicized court case where the casino argued that Ivey's actions were unethical and violated the rules of the game. In the end, the court ruled in favor of the casino, determining that edge sorting was not a legitimate strategy and ordering Ivey to return his winnings.

Despite the controversy surrounding edge sorting, it remains a fascinating technique that showcases the ingenuity of skilled gamblers in finding loopholes and exploiting them to gain an edge in casino games.