Part I: Card Game Cheating · Collusion & Electronic Cheating at Card Games

Scam #5: The Baccarat “Nine-Nine” Collusion Scam

How it works

In baccarat, players seated together may engage in covert information sharing about their hands to gain an edge on side bets or to coordinate betting. In some Asian variants, players handle cards, creating opportunities for team members to signal card values through subtle gestures. A more sophisticated version involves players using hidden cameras to photograph fanned cards, then reviewing images to track card sequences through controlled shuffles.

Where it appears

Baccarat (Punto Banco, Macau-style squeeze games)

On the record

In 2017-2018, Ming Zhang and a co-conspirator cheated multiple Maryland casinos of over $1 million by photographing fanned baccarat cards and exploiting false shuffles. The dealer did not shuffle a section of cards, allowing the player to track sequences.

Published as a detection reference for surveillance, compliance and gaming-operations professionals. Thresholds and tuning are set by the property. Nothing here is instruction — the method is described so it can be recognised.