Alexei Volkov
Marking playing cards is a complicated skill used for card tricks, magic, or cheating at gambling. The marks must be visible on the obverse sides of the cards, which are normally uniform. There are many ways to mark cards, including bending, crimping, adding small bumps, or altering the designs on the backs of the cards. Some methods use invisible ink or luminous ink that can only be seen with special lenses or electronics. Other methods include daub, which is a pigment that can be applied lightly to cards, and juice dust, which works on both paper and plastic cards. Marked cards can provide a significant advantage in games like Texas hold 'em, but using them can lead to jail time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marking technique | Bends, crimps, pinpricks, ink, scratches, luminous ink, invisible ink, juice dust, block-out work, cut-out work, tint work, video-luminous marking |
| Visibility | Visible or invisible marks |
| Marking location | Back of the card, wheels at the top and bottom of the card |
| Marking permanence | Temporary or permanent |
| Marking tools | Razor, knife, special pigments, chemicals, invisible ink |
| Marking purpose | Cheating, magic tricks, entertainment |
| Mark detection | Human eye, infrared contact lenses, sunglasses, TV monitor, chemical analysis |
| Card material | Paper, plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Using invisible ink
Invisible ink is a popular method for marking plastic playing cards, especially in the gambling world. It is a complicated skill and not an easy task to create a perfect pair of marked cards. The marks on the cards are invisible to the naked eye, but with the help of soft contact lenses, one can see the markings.
There are different types of invisible ink marked cards. The first type is marked with luminous ink, which can be seen with the naked eye from several meters away. The second type is marked with infrared ink, which requires the use of an infrared camera lens to detect the markings. Infrared marked cards are created using special chemical liquids based on the principles of chemical and optical science.
When marking cards with invisible ink, it is important to use a high-quality deck of cards and the right type of ink to avoid leaving visible traces. Some people use invisible ink for advanced magic tricks, while others use it for cheating in poker games.
It is worth noting that marking cards with invisible ink is considered cheating and is not recommended. It is unethical and can lead to serious consequences if caught. However, understanding how it works can help players detect and prevent cheating in poker games.
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Bending the cards
Bending cards is a common method of marking cards, allowing cheats to identify certain cards during a game. While plastic cards are more difficult to bend or crease, they are not immune to bending. Here are some ways to bend plastic playing cards for marking purposes:
Manual Bending
One way to bend plastic cards is to simply use your hands to manipulate the cards into the desired shape. This method may require a significant amount of force, as plastic cards are quite flexible and resistant to creasing. However, it is important to note that manual bending may not always be effective, especially if the card is severely bent or warped.
Weight Application
Another technique is to use weights to flatten or bend cards. Place the cards between two flat, heavy objects, such as books, and then stack additional weights on top. Leave the setup overnight, and the pressure should help straighten out any bends or creases. This method is useful for removing unwanted bends or creases, but it can also be used to intentionally create bends by adjusting the weight distribution.
Heat Application
Applying heat is another way to bend plastic cards. One method is to use a clothes iron on a low setting. Place the card under a heat-safe cloth and move the iron back and forth to evenly distribute the heat. After about 30 seconds, check the card's progress. Repeat this process until the desired bend is achieved. Alternatively, you can run hot water over the card or place it near a stove to expose it to steam.
Steam and Pressure
A combination of steam and pressure can also be used to bend plastic cards. Boil water in a pan and place a lid on top to trap the steam. Then, move the steam into a heat-resistant bowl and tightly cover it with plastic wrap. Place the card on top of the wrap, face down, and monitor it for 30 seconds to a minute. Repeat this process until the card is bent to your desired shape.
It is important to note that bending plastic cards for marking purposes may be challenging and may require multiple attempts or the combination of different methods. Additionally, excessive manipulation or exposure to heat and moisture can damage the cards, so caution is advised.
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Adding juice dust
Juice dust is an advanced type of daub that can be used to mark a deck of cards. It can be used on both paper and 100% plastic playing cards. Juice dust is available in red, blue, green, or burgundy, and can also be customized for decks with unusual colour back designs. To use juice dust, simply touch the desired cards with the dust product, allowing you to secretly mark cards in front of someone or in private. For the most deceptive marks, it is recommended to use a juice colour that matches the deck. If you are unsure about the colour of the deck you will be using, you can use N-Dust, which is suitable for most paper and plastic playing cards.
To read the juice dust marks, one must be trained to do so. The marks can be read up close or from across a table. For beginners, NU-CONcept offers optional Juice Enhancing Sunglasses, which can be worn in public and make it easier to read the juice marks. These sunglasses are not required but can serve as a helpful tool.
When marking cards with juice dust, it is not necessary to mark every card in the deck. Depending on the game, marking just one rank, such as the aces, can provide a significant advantage. For example, in Texas hold 'em, marking the aces can give you a valuable edge. However, it's important to know what sort of marks to look for when trying to identify the marked cards.
To detect juice dust marks, you can perform the gamblers' riffle test, also known as "going to the movies". During this test, you look at the back of the cards while they are being riffled, and the marks will appear to "dance" around. It's important to note that the riffle test is less effective for detecting cards marked with juice methods.
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Video-luminous marking
To mark cards using the video-luminous method, you will need luminous "invisible" ink, a red filter, and a fine-tip paintbrush. Start by using a practice card, such as a joker card, and dip the paintbrush into the ink, ensuring that it is not soaking wet. Make your markings on the card, such as a number, letter, or symbol, and then wait a few seconds before wiping the ink off with a dry-to-damp paper towel or cloth. The longer you wait, the darker the ink will settle into the card, so you may need to experiment to find the perfect amount of ink and waiting time for your desired effect.
It is important to note that the markings made with luminous ink may become visible to the naked eye if too much ink is used or if they are allowed to settle for too long. Therefore, it is crucial to practice and find the right blend of ink and waiting time to create markings that are truly invisible to the naked eye.
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Block-out work
To perform block-out work, you will need an ink pen that matches the colour of the card back. For example, if the card back has a red colour, you will need a red ink pen. You will also need a steady hand and a keen eye for detail, as the markings must be subtle and discreet.
The process of block-out work involves carefully applying the ink to the desired areas of the card back. For flower designs, you would use the ink to narrow the petals, creating a subtle difference in the design. For bird designs, you would use the ink to block out the bird, making it less visible. It is important to apply the ink lightly and carefully, as you do not want to create obvious marks that could be noticed by other players.
Another variation of block-out work is cut-out work, which involves using a razor blade or craft knife to add or remove details from the card back. This method can be used to create a white bird on a coloured background, for example. Cut-out work is more concealed than traditional block-out work but requires more practice to perfect.
While block-out work can be an effective way to mark cards, it is important to note that it is a traditional method that may be less effective than modern techniques such as luminous or juice marking. These modern methods can be read from a distance, while block-out work requires a closer inspection. Additionally, the development of printing technology has led to the use of invisible ink, which is widely used in poker gambling games and is invisible to the naked eye.
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Frequently asked questions
Common methods include bending the cards, adding small pinpricks, altering the design on the back, using daub (a special pigment), or marking with invisible ink.
Daub is a substance that can be applied lightly to cards so that the marks are only visible if you know how and where to look. It can be used to mark plastic cards, which were previously thought to be immune to daub.
Invisible ink is popular in the gambling world as it is invisible to the naked eye, so it is difficult for others to detect. It can be read by the user with special contact lenses or sunglasses.
You can purchase marked plastic cards that look like normal casino cards but have invisible marks on the back. These cards can be used for magic tricks or gambling.
Yes, video-luminous marking uses marks that cannot be seen by the human eye, even with a luminous filter. These marks can only be read using custom electronics and filters, displaying the card values on a monitor in another room.
