Part I: Card Game Cheating · SLEIGHT-OF-HAND TECHNIQUES

Stacking the Deck / Riffle Stacking

How it works

Stacking the deck (also called “riffle stacking”) is the technique of placing cards into a predetermined, favorable order through what appears to be a normal riffle shuffle. The cheater uses precise control during the shuffling process to interleave specific cards in a predetermined sequence. This allows the cheater to set up winning hands for themselves or confederates. The technique requires exceptional skill - the cheater must control the exact position of multiple cards through a seemingly random shuffle. Combined with false cutting, a skilled stacker can deal winning hands at will.

Where it appears

Poker, Blackjack, any card game

On the record

Riffle stacking is considered one of the highest levels of card manipulation. Edward Marlo published extensive works on riffle shuffle systems. Professional gamblers who can effectively stack decks are extremely rare.

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.