Marked cards are a technique used by cheats and con artists to manipulate the outcome of games. Typically, a card marked in this way is dealt in such a way that no one, including the players, knows it has been tampered with.
There are several ways that a card can be marked in this manner. The first method is called “blocking”, which involves coloring in small white areas of a card’s design, such as petals on a flower or a bird on the back.
Another method is cut-out work, which involves using a razor to scrape off parts of the card’s printed design. It is a common method in card magic.
Cheaters can use this method to conceal important information on a card, such as the card’s rank, which can give them an advantage in a game of poker.
These markings are made by a variety of methods, including block-out work, cut-out work and scroll work. They can also be made with various inks, pigments and scratching techniques.
The history of marking cards dates back to the time when cards were first designed, and they have been used for both gambling and card magic since then.
In the past, marks on playing cards were mainly crimps and bends, but in later years, when the designs appeared on the backs of cards, they became more popular with cheats who began altering them with inks or pigments. The most common method is block-out work, but cheats have also employed a variety of other techniques such as cut-out work, scroll work, shade work and tint work.
This method has the disadvantage of being difficult to read, but it can be done close-up and is often effective. Other methods, such as luminous and juice markers, are easier to read from a distance, although they are more likely to cause damage to the deck.
Other types of marking include the application of juice dust, which is a tweaked version of the daub, and luminous markers, which are made from a special liquid. These are very effective at masking the markings and can be applied to both paper and plastic.
The process of using juice dust, luminous markers or other methods to mark cards is still in its early stages, and there are no official regulations on how to make this type of marked card. But the fact that these techniques have become more popular with cheats and hustlers indicates a need for vigilance.
As a result, casino dealers and players are increasingly aware of this new card marking threat and are working to detect and remove decks that may be marked before they can be played in a casino. The best thing that a player can do to protect themselves is stay away from suspicious games, and to play only with people they know well.
In addition to being a form of cheating, marked cards can be a powerful tool for magicians, who can use them to perform illusions without the need for an audience. However, they can also be a liability for magicians who are not familiar with the risks involved. This is why some magicians choose not to use marked cards in their acts.