In any card game there are many ways that you can cheat, it depends on the rules of the specific game as well as what kind of advantage you want to gain. Some methods are easier to detect than others, and some require a higher degree of skill or dexterity on the part of the cheat in order to accomplish. For instance, some cards are marked to make them stand out, or the top and bottom of a deck can be manipulated in a way that allows the cheat to peek at certain cards without being seen by other players.
Some of the more common types of cheating in cards involve shuffle manipulation, false dealing and peeking at cards. For example, if the cheat wants to cull out a specific card from the deck they will use a fake riffle or overhand shuffle to mix the cards in a predetermined manner, and then will deal it to themselves or to their confederate. Another method involves securing the desired card(s) in their proper location within the deck by running cards between them during a seemingly legitimate shuffle. For instance, a card cheat in Texas Hold’em can secure two Aces at the top of the deck by doing a quick overhand shuffle that will move the cards to the 5th and 10th positions in the deck.
It is also possible to mark a deck of cards in order to know the value of specific cards while only looking at their backs. This is typically done on-the-spot, and can be as simple as a small mark made with fingernails or something more advanced such as invisible ink markings that only show up when viewed under special lighting.
Often these methods of cheating in cards are combined with fraudulent shuffling and false dealing. For instance, if you see a player randomly switching between a riffle and an overhand shuffle it could be a sign that they are using one of these methods to cheat. Similarly, when a cheat deals themselves a card they may take it from the top of the deck as normal but in reality it is being secretly pulled from another section of the deck and dealt to them or their confederate.
The most difficult type of card cheating is to be able to peek at the top or bottom of the deck without being noticed. This is referred to as soft playing, and it is the most common form of cheating in a poker game. The cheat will try to be discreet and work in pairs so that the winning can alternate between the partners. This is an excellent way to avoid getting caught and can be effective even if the cheat is a professional. It is important to note that this method can be easily detected if the cheaters aren’t careful. A good way to prevent it is to make sure that the top and bottom of the deck are distinctly different from each other.