Despite their standard look, some decks of playing cards contain secret markings that are designed to help cheaters. These markings are not visible to the naked eye and only a trained cheat can spot them. These marks are usually arranged in patterns to help the cheat identify the cards that his opponent is holding. Using these markings, he can easily identify the suit and value of the cards his opponent is holding. The more information that he has, the easier it will be to predict his opponent’s card and make smart wagering decisions.
Invisible ink is the most common way to mark playing cards. The markings are invisible to the naked eye and are applied by professionals. They can be detected with special poker analyzers or scanner cameras. There are several types of invisible ink marked playing cards. The most popular is the barcode marked deck. Barcode marked cards are marked with invisible barcode patterns on all four sides. These markings can easily be read by a poker analyser smartphone, which can then be used to determine the winning hand even before the cards are dealt.
Another method of hiding marks on the card is to press a grease mark or a small speck of dirt on the corners of the cards. This method isn’t as effective as invisible markers, but it’s simple and affordable. In addition to the aforementioned methods, there are also some advanced marking ways that can be employed by experienced magicians and poker players. These techniques require professional skill to master and are very difficult for ordinary people to detect.
A poker player, for example, can use a camera to make cards appear normal to spectators. The camera can take a picture of marked cards and reveal the hidden markings. This technology may not be as sophisticated as an analyzer for poker, but it is still useful for magicians or card players who are looking to gain an advantage over their opponents.
In the past it was easy for card cheats hide their marks on cards. The simplest way to do this was by using juice that left just a small speck of color on the card backs. This technique is still practiced by some cheaters, but it is less reliable than the modern invisible ink marked cards. The stains of the juice can sometimes be seen by honest players.
Use a pair of poker sunglasses or specialized contact lenses to mark your deck of cards. These lenses are designed to see invisible ink marks, so they can be used in a variety of situations. These lenses can be worn anywhere, including in public or while playing online poker. You can use marked cards in this way to win more money while keeping your game secret.