Interesting History of Baccarat Perhaps You Didn’t Know

Gambling platforms frequently use various bonus programs to attract and retain players. Some of these incentives include welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, free spins, and loyalty prizes. However, as the popularity of these bonuses grows, so does the problem of bonus abuse. Some players deliberately seek loopholes or opportunities to exploit these offers. This abuse might range from opening several accounts to betting tactics violating the bonus conditions, calling for a more in-depth understanding of the problem. We detail what constitutes bonus abuse, its different forms, and, most importantly, how gambling establishments can defend themselves from such shady tactics. What is Bonus Abuse? Bonus abuse is a deceptive activity in which players exploit promotional incentives and leverage them in ways that were not intended, particularly for new players. While bonus misuse is not illegal, it violates the terms and conditions of most online casinos. The user's bonus money and earnings are confiscated when caught, and the deposit may be frozen. Experienced fraudsters create new identities and IP addresses using technologies such as betting bots, virtual computers, and emulators. They use Socks5 proxies for this objective. Reasons Why Fraudsters Target Online Gambling Platforms The scale and continuing development of the sector provide appealing prospects for fraudsters aiming to exploit weaknesses for financial gain. The worldwide online gambling industry reached $95.05 billion by the end of 2023, with a CAGR rate of 8.54%. The answer lies in the following concerning stats: Approximately one out of every four accounts generated on gambling sites is fake. Around 4% of logins are account takeover attempts. An inexperienced fraudster can make up to $20,000, while a skilled one can earn up to $600,000 monthly. The process often begins with sign-up, where fraudsters utilize disposable email addresses, false identities, and stolen credit card information to avoid KYC checks. This is referred to as gnoming or multi-accounting. Grifters create several accounts to circumvent the one-time limit attached to most incentives. Multi-accounting zeros in on promos such as free bets, no deposit, and other gambling bonuses that don't require a deposit. Main Bonus Abuse Methods Across Gambling Platforms Bonus abuse in online gambling manifests in a variety of ways and carries specific consequences. Below, we'll look at some of the most common types of bonus fraud and their effects on the industry. Arbitrage Betting in Sports Betting Arbitrage betting, or arbing, refers to taking advantage of disparities in odds given by several online sports betting platforms to ensure a profit regardless of the event's outcome. While not prohibited, sportsbooks consider it bonus abuse when combined with bonus offers. Betting syndicates are known to employ this tactic as a coordinated strategy. The collective approach significantly increases the scale of arbitrage betting, making it a more complex challenge for online betting platforms to manage. Identity Theft Identity theft in the context of online gambling is a fraudulent practice in which individuals create several accounts on gambling sites using stolen or fictitious identities. They employ modern technology to conceal IP addresses and use personal information to create credible profiles, evading basic detection measures. Because they use actual personal information, opened accounts with stolen identities seem authentic. This appearance of legitimacy makes it difficult for online gambling platforms to distinguish them from real accounts. Facial recognition software has emerged as a powerful weapon in the fight against online gambling identity theft. This technique entails biometric verification—identification by requesting users to upload a live photo or video for face recognition, discouraging efforts to create false accounts using images, videos, or masks. Chip Dumping in Poker Chip dumping occurs in online poker rooms and entails one player intentionally losing chips to move funds. It's used to meet wagering requirements, unfairly leverage promotional offers, or launder money. For instance, a player could use a welcome bonus to acquire chips and dump these on a colluding player, who can meet the playthrough requirements more easily. Chip dumping can be difficult to identify since it might emulate the natural flow of a poker game. It may go overlooked unless there's a trend or the amounts are significant. Poker's inherent unpredictability and element of bluffing make it an ideal setting for such techniques. For money laundering, it provides a seemingly legitimate way to win money at poker, thereby cleaning the illicit funds. Malicious Affiliating The complexity of malicious affiliating lies in its multi-layered approach. Fraudsters must understand affiliate programs' workings but also need the technical knowledge to manipulate or generate traffic. This scheme is present in various online betting markets, including standard gambling, gaming, fantasy sports, and sports betting platforms. The tactics include manually entering fake leads into a gambling project's CRM system or using bots to generate artificial traffic. These bots can register accounts and make deposits, using diversionary tactics to appear as legitimate users. Generating traffic can enable the following: Commissions on cost per click (CPC); Visitors to websites that pay out cost per thousand (CPM) commissions; Leads exclusively interested in sign-up incentives to earn a cost per lead (CPL) commission. How Can Gambling Platforms Safeguard Against Fraud? Implementing protective measures is not just a matter of compliance but also a necessity for ensuring the integrity of operations and safeguarding players. By applying anomaly detection systems, machine learning algorithms, as well as IP and device tracking tools, gambling platforms can effectively identify and deter fraudulent activities, thus protecting both their players and their business. Identity Check KYC procedures are crucial for verifying the identity of players by checking government-issued IDs, proof of address, and other personal information. Incorporating facial recognition technology improves the KYC process and is particularly effective against identity theft and multi-accounting. Funds Verification Understanding and monitoring the flow of funds is essential in combating financial-related fraud like money laundering. AML procedures are designed to monitor and report suspicious financial activities, large transactions, and unusual patterns of deposits and withdrawals. Continuous Client Surveillance Ensuring a player's legitimacy doesn't end at account creation. Regular monitoring can help identify unusual behavior post-verification—recognizing patterns indicative of fraudulent activities, such as consistent large wins from a single source or frequent maxed-out withdrawals. An Ongoing Battle Against Bonus Abuse The issue of bonus abuse in online gambling is multifaceted, presenting unique challenges to players and operators. Each of the analyzed practices undermines gambling platforms' integrity and poses significant financial risks. To counter these threats, gambling companies adopt robust protective measures, stringent identity checks through KYC procedures and facial recognition technology, ensure funds verification with comprehensive AML protocols, and maintain continuous client surveillance to detect and address any irregularities post-account creation. We can't stress enough that engaging in bonus abuse is not advisable. Besides breaching the terms and conditions of online gambling platforms, it carries substantial consequences. Players caught indulging in such practices face severe penalties, including the confiscation of winnings, account suspension or permanent bans, and, in extreme cases, legal action. Furthermore, such activities can lead to a loss of trust in the online gambling community. The fight against bonus abuse is a continuous one, necessitating adaptability on the part of operators. These platforms can offer a fair, safe, and entertaining experience for all genuine players by staying ahead of the curve with improved defensive measures and supporting responsible gambling behaviors.

Want to learn how to be better while playing poker online? Understanding how counting cards in poker works can help you win more games. Namely, card counting became popular thanks to movies, books, and groups of people such as the incredible MIT blackjack team. In case you want to learn more, watch the movie "21" or read the book "Bringing Down the House." First things first, you should get yourself familiar with the essential concepts in poker games, like straight outs, flop, river, odds, and blockers. In this article, I’ll specifically discuss card counting in poker games. How Does Counting Cards in Poker Work? Card counting is frowned upon by the casino when it comes to blackjack, but it won't get you in trouble in any other game, especially poker. In a casino game, counting cards means keeping track of which cards have come out of a deck. In all types of poker, there are cards that everyone can see (called "community cards") and cards that only the player who has them can see (called "hole cards"). Note that when you do count cards in poker, there won't be as many face-up cards as in blackjack, so you won’t have as much information to work with. In poker, you can get a strategic edge if you consider everything you know. For example, if you have a certain card, you know that no one else at the table has it. So, how do you count cards in poker? I’ll explain in the section below to make it more understandable. Counting Your and Your Opponent's Outs What is an out? It’s a possible card that can improve the strength of your deck. Outs are cards left in the deck that haven't yet been dealt. When players are waiting for a straight or flush draw, they need a certain card to complete or improve their hands. Knowing how many possible outs there are in a round can help you make important decisions, like whether to call someone's "over" bet or make a "value" bet on the last two streets. That’s where counting outs come in. To count outs in Texas Hold'em, you have to figure out how many combinations of cards you need to make a hand. First, you need to establish how many outs several common flop drawing hands have vs. made hands: A pair and a flush draw usually have about 12 outs, while a top pair draw usually only has two. Compared to a made hand, a naked flush draw has about nine chances to win. Most of the time, overcards have about six ways to win against a pair. A pair and an overcard usually have about five chances to beat a top pair. Counting the Pot Equity In poker, "equity" means your "fair" share of the pot based on how likely you're to win the hand. So, when you have a drawing hand, you can quickly figure out how much money you have by counting your potential outs. I've mentioned how many outs each typical draw has, so all you have to do to determine the likely equity is to use the rule of 4 and 2. If you're on the flop, multiply your number of outs by four to get a rough estimate of your chances of drawing a hand. On the other hand, if it's your turn, multiply the number of outs by two, and you’ll determine the chance of a draw. Counting Cards in a Tainted Deck Still wondering how to count cards in poker? Note that there’s a difference between a clean out and a tainted out. You should focus on a clean out because tainted outs can improve your hand but help your opponent out even more. I'll give an example to help you understand this concept better. Say you have Ax-8x, and the flop is J-7-4 with two more spades, giving you a total of four to the nut flush. So, what you have now are nine solid outs: the unseen spades (13 - 4 = 9). Also, you might think you have three more chances to catch another ace, but these are already used. If an ace falls on the table, a player with an ace and a higher kicker would "out-kick" you, leaving you with the worst hand. That could cost a lot of money, so it's best to think of the remaining aces as tainted, so you only count them as half as much as the nine unseen spades in the deck. Therefore, the total outs are 9 (the spades that are left) plus 3 x ? = 1.5, for a total of 10.5. When counting cards in Texas Hold’Em, it’s basically just deducting how many different combinations you need to for a hand. For a straight gutshot draw, you need one numbered card, no matter what suit. Thus, you need four outs. Open-ended straight draws are better because you can form a hand with two numbered cards, meaning you need eight outs to get a straight. Flush draws have nine outs because thirteen cards have the same suit. Is It Legal to Count Cards in Poker? Can you count cards in poker? Yes, it’s legal, and it mostly happens during the flop and turn. However, remember that counting cards isn’t used to beat others and win, but to make more money than other players. It’s not only legal but also a crucial technique that all successful players use. I advise you to use your hole cards and the community cards to estimate the likelihood that your opponent will have a specific hand. There are countries where this might not be the case, though. It’s also frowned upon sometimes, and Hollywood helped this happen. Some casinos discourage it and might ban you from using it. Pros and Cons of Card Counting in Poker Like with everything else in life, counting cards has both good sides and bad sides. Pros Cons You can gain an advantage over other players The advantage you can gain is less significant than in blackjack Anyone can learn it It’s illegal in some places, and some casinos ban it You can expand your knowledge It makes you richer Conclusion Card counting can be a very lucrative hobby, especially for risk-takers. It’s much easier to learn than it might seem in movies; you just need practice and self-discipline. However, choosing something else is better if you’d like to feel more secure about your financial situation. It will help you understand your equity and the equity of your opponent, and it’s known as the blocker effect. Thanks to it, you’ll get a strategic advantage by gathering all available information. The more layers you add to your card-counting strategy, the more money you're likely to win. FAQ Is counting cards illegal in poker? It’s legal, but there might be places where it’s illegal, so you should check just in case. It’s legal in the US. However, it can be frowned upon in some places even though it’s legal, so keep that in mind. How can you tell if someone is counting cards in poker? There are several ways to tell. For example, if you notice that someone bets much more at the end of the shoe, that’s a sign that they're counting. Another way to spot a counter is to notice that the bets go up when many low-value cards are played. What’s a gutshot? A gutshot is a straight draw with four outs to improve a hand. On an AT6 board, 87 is an example. To make a straight, you would need to hit a 9.

Ever since card games became popular in casinos, people have tried to find a way to gain an advantage over the house. Casinos have quickly picked up on different techniques players employ, such as card counting, past posting, and collaboration with other players at the table. However, there's one technique that's still stuck in a gray area—edge sorting. This technique isn't exactly illegal, but many casinos have refused to pay the winnings that have been earned through it. In this article, we'll explain what edge sorting is, how it works in different card games, and give the most notable examples of when it worked. What Is Edge Sorting? The edge sorting technique involves identifying subtle differences on the back of playing cards to gain an advantage in gambling. The method relies on exploiting imperfections in the printing or cutting of the cards to determine whether a card has a high or low value. Certain decks of cards have imperfections in their design, such as variations in the size of the patterns or the patterns themselves. By closely examining the cards and memorizing these irregularities, a skilled edge sorter can categorize the cards into high-value and low-value groups and know which cards are face-down. How Does Edge Sorting Technique Work? In order for edge sorting to be explained, understood, and applied, a few things need to fall into place. Firstly, the casino has to use a specific deck of cards. Edge sorting can only be executed with specific decks of cards that have irregular patterns on their edges. These irregularities may be variations in the size of the patterns or slight differences in the shape of the pattern. Once you determine these differences, you can start sorting out the cards. Secondly, the dealer must approve card rotation, so it's possible to sort out high and low-value cards. For example, you can ask the dealer to rotate the cards that have high value so you can identify them later on. This request is often made as part of a superstitious ritual or preference. High rollers, who may have more influence or privileges, might have a better chance of getting the dealer to comply with this request. Thirdly, the table must use an automatic shuffler. By using an automatic shuffler, the irregularities on the card edges can be maintained in their relative positions during the shuffle, making it easier for the edge sorter to identify high-value or low-value cards during the game. Once you have everything in place, you'll be able to determine the winning hand in most rounds and use this advantage to rake in big winnings. Poker Edge Sorting We have bad news for all you poker players. Edge sorting in poker is almost impossible due to external factors. Even if other players at the table were okay with your suspicious rotation of the cards, these cards would be regularly dealt to other people who would rotate them back and ruin your strategy. Even the legendary poker player Phil Ivey hasn't used this technique for poker. The famous controversy behind Phil Ivey and edge sorting popularized this technique after this American poker player used it to win almost $9.6 million during four sessions at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. He won another $12 million by playing Punto Banco at the Crockfords Casino in London. This resulted in a huge battle in the courts where Ivey claimed he didn't cheat but admitted to using edge sorting. However, he won that money in baccarat, a card game that's perfectly suited for edge sorting. Baccarat Edge Sorting Baccarat is a perfect card game for edge sorting as it doesn't involve other people, and it relies on simple principles. The basic idea is that you bet on either your or the dealer's hand to be the winning one, with each card having a specific value. The most valuable cards in baccarat are 6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s. Therefore, you want the dealer to rotate these cards so that you know when they're coming and gain a significant edge. It's because of this unique gameplay that edge sorting in baccarat can be so successful, as seen in the case of Phil Ivey. It's one of the most notable edge sorting examples to date. However, many casinos have spotted this technique and will look for signs if you try to use it. Blackjack Edge Sorting Theoretically, it's possible to utilize edge sorting as a means of gaining an advantage in blackjack, provided the dealer is willing to fulfill your requests. In this scenario, you would need to rotate specific cards to identify picture cards and potentially gain an advantage over the house. This technique can be advantageous if you arrange the shoe in a way that allows you to spot these high-value cards However, it's crucial to note that such a strategy can only be effective in rare circumstances where you are the sole player at the table and there are no other players expressing concerns about delays caused by your actions. In a typical blackjack game, accommodating requests for card rotation and attempting to exploit edge sorting would likely disrupt the flow of the game and draw attention from both the dealers and other players. Thus, successfully employing edge sorting in blackjack to gain an advantage is highly unlikely in typical casino settings. Edge Sorting in Online Casinos Because edge sorting in card games relies on the dealer rotating the cards, the only way it can work is in live baccarat games. Unlike in physical casinos, you can't ask the dealer to rotate the cards since online games are typically automated and lack human dealers. Moreover, online games are observed by numerous players, making it impractical for dealers to accommodate individual requests. However, there are still some aspects of edge sorting that can be adapted to online play, particularly in games like baccarat. The main idea is to focus on understanding the composition of the remaining cards in the shoe rather than predicting specific upcoming cards. By determining whether there's a higher proportion of high or low cards left, players can gain a slight advantage in their decision-making, akin to card counting. While this approach doesn't guarantee success, it can stack the odds in the player's favor. The feasibility of discerning the differences on the back of cards in online casinos is uncertain. Cameras used in online games often have wide-angle lenses that may not allow players to notice such minute details. However, it's worth noting that modern live baccarat games in reputable online casinos often employ high-definition graphics, with some even offering resolutions as high as 4K. While it's technically possible to see the back of the cards, it's still challenging. Conclusion Edge sorting is a controversial technique that has garnered attention in the casino world. While it has been employed to gain an advantage in games like baccarat, its effectiveness and legality hinge on specific circumstances. This method relies on identifying irregularities on the back of cards to categorize them into high- or low-value ones. However, successful implementation requires specific decks with irregular patterns, the cooperation of dealers to rotate the cards, and the use of automatic shufflers. [sigma-mt-blog-post-play recordids="768534,862327"] FAQ Is edge sorting illegal? The legality of edge sorting depends on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances. While it's not inherently illegal in some places, many casinos consider it a form of cheating and may ban players caught using this technique. What is the most common sorting technique used by card players? The most common sorting technique used by card players is card counting. Card counting refers to keeping track of the cards that have been dealt in a card game to predict the cards that are yet to be dealt. What is edge sorting in Mississippi Stud? Edge sorting is not specifically associated with Mississippi Stud because it's virtually impossible to implement it in poker games.

Many online gamblers wonder if it's possible to cheat at online casinos. The idea of outsmarting the system and hitting it big is certainly appealing. But is it really possible to beat the systems that online casinos use today? The truth is, while the idea of cheating lingers, it’s mostly a myth. Online casinos use advanced technology, and strict security measures, and are subject to stringent regulations and regular audits. In this post, we'll clear up some common misconceptions, look at the cheating methods that have been tried, and examine the high-tech defenses in place. By the end, you'll understand why cheating isn't just tough—it's not worth the trouble. Ways People Try to Cheat Online Casinos Cheating might sound fun, but it’s a risky business that often ends in bans or worse thanks to stringent online casino security measures. In fact, many institutions could learn from the advanced measures casinos employ to protect games and players. Let’s look at the most common ways players try to get an unfair advantage: Card Counting in Live Games Imagine trying to keep track of every card dealt in a blackjack game to guess what might come next. That's card counting. It's a skill as old as blackjack itself, frequently portrayed in movies. Online, it’s tougher to pull off, but some still try during live dealer sessions. Casinos are quick to spot and block anyone they suspect. Team Play a.k.a Collusion Ever thought about teaming up to beat the house? That’s what happens in collusion. To outwit others at the poker table, players form secret alliances and share card information. It's deceptive and against the rules, but a real challenge for casinos to catch without advanced monitoring.  Betting Bots and Hacking the System Then there are those who go high-tech. Using bots or attempting to hack the casino’s software to tweak the game in their favor. It's the online equivalent of tampering with a slot machine. A notable real-life example is when a major online casino discovered a network of bots attempting to manipulate several online poker games. In 2019, the casino's AI-driven monitoring system flagged unusual activity in certain accounts. The AI noticed that some accounts made moves faster than humanly possible. The behavioral analysis software found these accounts active 24/7, which is a clear indication of bot activity.  By cross-referencing IP addresses and device identifiers, the fraud detection system identified that the suspicious accounts were accessed from a few IP addresses, despite being registered in different names and locations. The casino's security team froze the accounts and investigated further, confirming the presence of a bot network. Bonus Hunting Lastly, there's the trick of signing up multiple times to claim the same bonus over and over. It's a scam that involves juggling multiple identities. Not only is it fraudulent, but it also spoils the fun for everyone else. Casinos have caught on to these schemes and implemented strict checks to catch and deter bonus abusers. How Casinos Stay One Step Ahead As cheating methods evolve, online casinos have stepped up their game with advanced technological defenses to protect the integrity of their platforms. Here’s how they do it: Multiple deck shufflers: In live blackjack games where card counting is a popular strategy, some live casino studios use multiple deck shufflers to prevent card counting techniques. AI and machine learning: Collusion or the use of betting bots are techniques used by tech-savvy cheaters. Online casinos have started using AI and machine learning tools to sift through data and spot patterns that might suggest these forms of cheating. Biometric verification: Bonus abuse is not allowed at any online casino. This is prevented by robust identity verification tools such as facial recognition, fingerprint scans, and voice checks. Behavioral analysis software: This software is used to prevent collusion and the possible use of bots while gambling. It tracks player actions in real-time and spots any out-of-the-ordinary behavior that could indicate cheating. Multi-factor authentication: Fraud and bonus abuse are monitored and picked up by online casinos with the help of multi-factor authentication. Players are required to provide several forms of verification before accessing their accounts, limiting the possibility of identity and other types of fraud. Sophisticated fraud detection systems: Suspicious behavior like attempting to create multiple accounts or commit money laundering is mitigated by the use of fraud detection systems. These systems continuously monitor all transactions and player activities, immediately flagging and acting on suspicious behavior. The Consequences of Playing Dirty Cheating at online casinos can have serious consequences. Here’s what happens if you get caught trying to beat the system: Account suspension: Your account gets shut down immediately. The best online casinos don’t tolerate cheating and will ban you permanently. Losing winnings: Any money you win through cheating goes back to the casino. They will void your winnings to keep things fair. Legal trouble: Depending on where you are, cheating can lead to fines or even criminal charges. Casinos work with legal authorities to make sure cheaters face serious consequences. Blacklisting: Once caught, you’ll end up on a blacklist shared among casinos. This means opening an account or playing at other casinos becomes nearly impossible. Reputation damage: Getting caught cheating can ruin your reputation. It can also affect your personal and professional life. Fair Play Keeps Players Safe All in all, while the temptation to cheat in online casinos exists for some, it is virtually impossible with today's advanced security measures. However, we shouldn’t forget that fair play is essential for a great online gambling experience. By choosing reputable online casinos and adopting responsible gambling practices, you can enjoy a safe and fun environment. Cheating not only ruins the game for others but also disrespects the integrity of the casino. With such high-tech security in place, attempting to cheat is futile. Let's keep the game fair and fun for everyone.