Joined: Jan '11
Location: Romania
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 167
Many well known pro poker players have noticed a large number of marked spades in decks being used at the WSOP. They have taken some of their complaints to Twitter.
Marked Card This is twitpic of a marked 4 of spades, tweeted by WSOP reporter BJNemeth With so much money on the line at the World Series of Poker, it is difficult to believe the possibility that marked decks may slip into play. However, that is exactly what is happening.
During Event #8, a $1,000 buy-in NLHE event, Jon Turner initially noticed a marked card in the deck and pointed it out to WSOP staff.
The tournament director immediately called a break in the tournament to try and correct this error. The individuals checking on the situation saw that there was a printing error on a large number of low spades in many decks currently in use.
The cards they noticed were at that point removed and replaced.
The problem has apparently not yet been fixed, however.
Poker pro Steve O'Dwyer noticed that the two through five of spades in his current tournament, the $10,000 Pot Limit Hold'em, are also marked.
He explained the issue in a series of Tweets directed at World Series of Poker Tournament Director Jack Effel. Here is the series of messages, condensed into 1:
@steveodwyer - "@WSOPTD It is insane that the @WSOP has not replaced the decks. When I sit in the 1 or 9 seat at almost any table I can see the marked spades.
I first noticed it in the 5k NLHE and called the floor but they dismissed my concerns and I forgot about it until the 1k NLHE final table.
I'm now in the 9 seat in the PLHE and am clearly able to identify the 2 through 5 of spades when they are at the center of the table under the light, and I've been able to point them out when they are face down in front of me. If this isn't fixed by morning @WSOP is pathetic."
Jack Effel responded:
@WSOPTD - "Not all the cards are bad. Met with USPC today and we're working on the issue. We're also using different cards on the final tables. Next time you guys see one of the cards, say something and we'll replace it. If not, good luck in the event. USPC is on it."
The USPC is the United States Playing Card Company. We'll keep you posted if this issue becomes more of a problem, and likewise we'll have our fingers crossed that no more marked cards are still in play.
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 6669
Thats pretty bad, i mean this kind of things bring a very, very negative image to the world series of poker event and of course, organizers overall Now we don't need to make rush decisions, but since so many players observed the marked cards i thinink is very plausible that there was some kind of print mistake on the cards, i don't really thing there were players that knew about this and were favourized by wsop staff to win the events.... Still, it's a very bad point for the organizers of world series of poker since one of their obligations was the check every poker table and most of all cards deck before every match that takes place on a certain poker table. I really don't think that this was something they intended to do but the lack of vigilance brings a bad promo of the event know. It's even worse that they already announced the major event next year, 1 mil dollar buy in event.....
Joined: May '08
Location: Sweden
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 1362
Quite bisarre?!
But from what I understand, there is no reason to belive there is any cheating involved, it is just a really amateurish mistake?
It wouldn't be that great making the bluff of your life, representing a flush of diamonds, looking down at your cards and seeing it is obvious you have a low spade. Looking up and seeing that the opponent notises something strange about you, and reaches for his/her chips...
Joined: May '09
Location: India
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 4873
very poor from the wsop staff to not handle the situation properly. surely theres carelessness from somewhere to let this happen, hope they sort out this mess quickly.
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 47 (F)
Posts: 14136
WSOP is rigged lol I wonder how come an event like this where millions involved had such a problem. While its a big number of decks to check though even if they are brand new some minimal check should be done before starting dealing first hand in each table.
Joined: Mar '08
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 6714
If the cards are marked why would the expect anyone to not use it to their advantage? Tell them! LOL, yer right. As said above simple solution, new decks, all players should refuse to play and possibly demand a refund or re-run of the event.
Joined: Apr '08
Location: Finland
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 1613
Posted by B1gfoot: If the cards are marked why would the expect anyone to not use it to their advantage? Tell them! LOL, yer right. As said above simple solution, new decks, all players should refuse to play and possibly demand a refund or re-run of the event.
Will be problematic if players are already busted ...
Joined: Mar '08
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 6714
Posted by Davoodoo:
Posted by B1gfoot: If the cards are marked why would the expect anyone to not use it to their advantage? Tell them! LOL, yer right. As said above simple solution, new decks, all players should refuse to play and possibly demand a refund or re-run of the event.
Will be problematic if players are already busted ...
Yep, but possable they have been "cheated" in to going bust, I just see it as the event(s) have not been run in a fair manner, some will abuse it and others wont notice, few will say anything. WSOP have to take full responsibility and to not remove cards is an insult to the players and shows them not taking the game serious.
Joined: Apr '08
Location: Finland
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 1613
Posted by B1gfoot:
Posted by Davoodoo:
Posted by B1gfoot: If the cards are marked why would the expect anyone to not use it to their advantage? Tell them! LOL, yer right. As said above simple solution, new decks, all players should refuse to play and possibly demand a refund or re-run of the event.
Will be problematic if players are already busted ...
Yep, but possable they have been "cheated" in to going bust, I just see it as the event(s) have not been run in a fair manner, some will abuse it and others wont notice, few will say anything. WSOP have to take full responsibility and to not remove cards is an insult to the players and shows them not taking the game serious.
I totally agree, but the casinos are greedy in all manners and saves everywhere they possibly can (remember the WPT robbery, ONE UNARMED GUARD... HAHAHAHHA).
Its only in TV series like "las vegas" the casinos are juste and offers free money and free service ... in the real world they are assholes that only care about how much money you spend there.
100 % in 0 % out seems like their idea of thinking.
An Olympic gold medal gymnast allegedly marked cards in Spanish casinos to win thousands of pounds a night at poker.
Vera Shimanskaya, part of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team in Sydney three years ago, appeared in court in Valencia after being charged with two counts of fraud.
She was escorted into the building in handcuffs accompanied by an armed Civil Guard officer.
Shimanskaya, 22, was arrested along with an alleged male accomplice, Ladislav Luvev, who is also Russian, at a casino complex in the city.
They are alleged to have marked cards at poker tables using their fingernails, so they would know which ones were being dealt during subsequent games and by so doing won £6,000 a night.
Casinos throughout Spain had been put on alert for the pair after they allegedly cheated in the same way at a casino in Marbella last month. It was claimed that they were filmed by security cameras.
As well as her Olympic medal, Shimanskaya has won world and European titles. ----------
