Edge sorting involves sophisticated strategies that provide players with a significant edge over the casino. Discover the tactics for edge sorting in various casino games and how Phil Ivey accumulated millions with this method.

Online casino enthusiasts are constantly in search of techniques to tilt the odds in their favor. While not outright cheating, numerous methods let players leverage their sharp instincts and skills for a competitive edge and win substantial sums at an Australian casino . Although card counting is a familiar practice among many gamblers, another lesser-known tactic is called edge sorting. blackjack online Are you aware that edge sorting can offer players a strategic advantage over the casino by as much as 6%? This was made evident by renowned poker player Phil Ivey in 2012, who secured over $20 million USD playing baccarat by mastering edge sorting.

Despite the apparent potential for great success, why isn’t edge sorting more commonly practiced? Let’s delve into what edge sorting entails, how you can implement it, and whether or not it's deemed cheating within the casino industry.

Edge sorting is a method where players take advantage of asymmetry or flaws in playing cards to distinguish valuable cards within a deck.

What is Edge Sorting?

Although it might seem that all playing cards are exactly identical, numerous decks used worldwide in casinos possess minor inconsistencies in their print. For example, the designs on the back of each card might exhibit subtle disparities on either side. Keen-eyed players use these differences as the foundation for edge sorting.

The presence of print discrepancies in card decks only tells part of the tale. If both low and high-value cards contain these flaws, no substantial advantage can be seized. This is when sorting becomes crucial. Players might convince the dealer to rotate specific cards - typically those of higher value - aligning them in a manner which allows for easy identification of these high-value cards.

Success in edge sorting depends on multiple elements aligning beneficially for the player. The dealer needs to comply with the player's request for card rotation, the same set of cards must be utilized throughout play, and no rotation should occur during shuffle, all while the deck features these print imperfections.

Meeting all these conditions opens up real possibilities for players to walk away with large gains at the casino.

The most notable instance of edge sorting came from Phil Ivey, an American poker icon. Accumulating ten WSOP bracelets and known as one of history's best poker players, Ivey garnered media attention in 2012 by employing edge sorting techniques across casinos in the USA and UK.

How did Phil Ivey use Edge Sorting?

At establishments like Crockford’s in London, where he earned over £7 million, and the Borgata in New Jersey, where he secured $9.6 million, Ivey achieved these outcomes playing Punto Banco baccarat. The question is how exactly he managed this remarkable feat?

As a prominent figure in the poker realm, Ivey wielded his high-stakes player status to persuade casinos to agree to certain stipulations during his substantial

betting sessions under the semblance of ‘superstitions’: baccarat The casinos utilized specific card decks, noted for distinct print imperfections,

  • The dealer made a full 180-degree rotation of all card numbers ranging from seven through nine, which rank highest in baccarat,
  • Throughout the gaming session, the same deck remained unchanged,
  • By complying with these prerequisites, the casinos inadvertently created optimal conditions for Ivey’s edge sorting. Consequently, he amassed significant wins although the UK casino grew suspicious, choosing to withhold payouts. Their argument centered around allegations that Ivey engaged in cheating, excluding the return of his £1 million deposit. Ivey defended himself, openly admitting his application of edge sorting.
  • An automatic card shuffler was used.

This situation escalated to legal proceedings within both UK and New Jersey jurisdictions. British courts consistently declared edge sorting as cheating, citing alterations in game play caused by Ivey’s interventions in card arrangements, thus branding the act as deceptive.

Despite its relative obscurity before Phil Ivey’s exit from Crockford’s, edge sorting has caught casino attention as an advantageous gaming method. fix the deck Edge sorting in blackjack essentially encompasses similar methods Ivey used in baccarat. To execute edge sorting in blackjack, players require finding a casino willing to rearrange the deck accordingly.

Though theoretically possible in

How do you Edge Sort in Blackjack?

, practical limitations hinder edge sorting in poker. Persuading the dealer to pivot specific cards, while ensuring other players do not alter or bend them, presents considerable challenges. In reality, edge sorting is not feasible in poker.

What is Edge Sorting in Poker?

Is Edge Sorting Reserved Just for Wealthy Players? poker online While edge sorting theoretically benefits both affluent players and those with lower stakes, the practice substantially favors high rollers, primarily because casinos are inclined to accommodate the necessary stipulations for edge sorting only for high-stakes players.

When Phil Ivey wagered at £150,000 ($225,000) per hand in 2012, it was unsurprising that the casino yielded to his conditions. Smaller stakes may not persuade a casino to consent to such terms, so bear this in mind.

Edge sorting is not applicable in online gaming

. Since the card printing imperfections that allow edge sorting don’t exist online, and due to foolproof, secure software of online casinos, manipulating cards through rotations is impractical.

Can I use Edge Sorting online?

Whether edge sorting equates to cheating remains a topic of contentious debate. Many analysts of the Ivey incident argued that he simply leveraged the game’s rules using a highly sophisticated play method, not amounting to cheating, given the casino’s agreement to his requests. casino games Nonetheless, the courts determined edge sorting constitutes cheating. According to the British Supreme Court, modifying the conditions of gameplay resulted in a deck ‘fix.’ American courts aligned with British findings, suggesting a likely similar stance on edge sorting within Australian gambling venues.

Is Edge Sorting Cheating?

Even amidst ongoing contention over edge sorting's legitimacy as cheating, contemporary casinos are well-informed about such techniques, making it challenging for players to execute.

You're unlikely to face legal consequences for edge sorting in an Australian casino, but payouts might not follow if caught employing it. With legal precedents in the UK and US equating the technique to cheating, expect

and courts to enact similar restrictions for edge sorting attempts.

Is Edge Sorting Illegal?

If you're ready for online gaming, explore our recommendations legal Australian casinos ? Discover a variety of games you might enjoy

when you opt-in with Bitcoin deposits. Begin your session now! reviews of online casinos What's the Difference Between European and American Roulette? online casino , you can claim an exclusive casino bonus Imagine an animated casino ambience with a spinning roulette wheel, dice, and poker chips on a card table.

a man's face

Matthew Vanzetti

Pokie Professor & Casino Expert

Enroll in our newsletter and receive updates on the latest slot machines, enticing bonuses, and newly launched casinos - just like hitting a jackpot with each email update. Register now and receive an exclusive INTRODUCTORY BONUS FOR OUR SELECTED CASINO OF THE MONTH !

I confirm I am over 18 and able to legally engage in casino activities.

Bonus Buy Pokies in Australia

© 2025 Australian Gambling Online All rights Reserved. Bet Responsibly. Suitable for those 18 and older.

By