Everyone loves talking about Phil Ivey’s edge-sorting "scam" at Crockfords and Borgata, but can we be real for a second? Since when is spotting a flaw in the casino’s own equipment considered cheating? 🤡
Look at what actually happened. Ivey didn't mark the cards, didn't bring a rigged deck, and didn't bribe anyone. All he did was use his eyes. He noticed asymmetric patterns on the back of the cards and asked the dealer to rotate them. The casino agreed to EVERY single request he made.
The double standard is absolute bullshit. When the house uses math and built-in edges to drain 99% of players, it’s just "part of the game." But the moment a player finds a legitimate edge through pure observation, they cry robbery and run to court.
If a player finds a flaw in a game you run, that’s 100% on you as the operator. It’s the exact same logic as card counting in blackjack. Counting isn't illegal—if a casino catches a counter, they shuffle earlier, change the shoe, or bar them. They don't sue them after taking their action.
If these casinos were too incompetent to check their own cards or say "no" to a high roller, they should’ve taken the L. You know damn well if Ivey lost $10M that night, they would've pocketed his money without asking a single question.
Exploiting your opponent’s stupidity—especially when that opponent is a multi-billion dollar house—isn't cheating. It’s just being smarter than the system. Ivey got robbed simply for beating them at their own game.
What’s your take? Legitimate edge or actual cheating?
Look at what actually happened. Ivey didn't mark the cards, didn't bring a rigged deck, and didn't bribe anyone. All he did was use his eyes. He noticed asymmetric patterns on the back of the cards and asked the dealer to rotate them. The casino agreed to EVERY single request he made.
The double standard is absolute bullshit. When the house uses math and built-in edges to drain 99% of players, it’s just "part of the game." But the moment a player finds a legitimate edge through pure observation, they cry robbery and run to court.
If a player finds a flaw in a game you run, that’s 100% on you as the operator. It’s the exact same logic as card counting in blackjack. Counting isn't illegal—if a casino catches a counter, they shuffle earlier, change the shoe, or bar them. They don't sue them after taking their action.
If these casinos were too incompetent to check their own cards or say "no" to a high roller, they should’ve taken the L. You know damn well if Ivey lost $10M that night, they would've pocketed his money without asking a single question.
Exploiting your opponent’s stupidity—especially when that opponent is a multi-billion dollar house—isn't cheating. It’s just being smarter than the system. Ivey got robbed simply for beating them at their own game.
What’s your take? Legitimate edge or actual cheating?
