Smartphone Could Make Live Poker Cheats "Superusers"
Written by
Pete - Friday, October 28, 2016,
Live poker
According to a recent article at CardsChat.com a specially adapted smartphone has been doing the rounds on the black market which can help live poker players "see" their opponents hole cards.
The information was shared by Elie Bursztein from Google's anti-abuse team at this year's DEF CON 24 Hacking Convention in Las Vegas.
The doctored phones (which have changed hands for up to $5,000 a piece) work like a normal phone in that they can make calls, text, and run apps, but unlike normal phones they also have an infrared option and a secret camera on the side of the phone, which when used in conjunction with a special "game" app, can read markings made on cards using infrared-absorbing ink.
Bursztein, who managed to source a handset for just $1300 direct from the manufacturer, said it also came with accessories including a few decks of marked cards. He went on to say that a "combination of images, infrared-absorbing ink, and LEDs then allows the device to predict the value of the card in view before displaying it to the user." By utilising this technology live poker is at risk of being cheated by real-life "super users".
Worryingly, it would appear that although it was initially thought that these devices were predominantly used by Asian cheaters, that similar devices have already been noticed in use in Las Vegas.
So if you see someone staring a little too intently at their smartphone in the middle of a hand at your local casino, make sure to be on your guard!
GoodFellaz says:
lol @ people who insults people online and then try to say something smart afterwards. I read the article just like you and I still feel that anyone who buys this is an idiot. Those rules are in places in a lot of poker rooms in Las Vegas (I should know I live there half of the year) some rooms in LA as well. You should keep your insults for the wannabe cheats because anyone who does is the idiot.
ElloM8 says:
GOODFELLAZ, you are an idiot... the article clearly states that these devices are already in use and have been used at tables in Las Vegas... if used successfully it would only take a few hands or a few sessions to make a profit... I would imagine that your win rate increases dramtically when you can see what your opponent holds... so regardless of FUTURE rules, the fact that these devices are CURRENTLY being used, makes you sound like a muppet... What you should be doing is spreading the word to fellow card players and try to put a stop to this, not assume that this won't effect you
Saturday, October 29, 2016
GoodFellaz says:
Anyone who pays 5,000$ for this is a complete idiot. Most poker rooms don't allow you to to be on your phone during the hand and after hearing this I'm sure 100% of the poker rooms will adopt that same rule and make those devices worthless.
Saturday, October 29, 2016