How to Edge Sort in Baccarat?

What Is Edge Sorting in Baccarat Explained

Phil Ivey, one of the greatest living poker players, came up with a system in baccarat known as edge sorting. This is, in fact, applicable in a wide variety of card games as it is based on remembering how the back of each card looks like. Some people consider it cheating but it is not as simple as breaking the rules. 

Let’s learn more about the way the edge sorting cards technique can help players gain a huge advantage.

A Word of Warning

Phil Ivey is being prosecuted for edge sorting as casinos determined that it is an illegal practice. Although at this time, there are no official laws yet regarding the practice, casinos really don’t like it. They deem the practice illegal all around the world. On the other hand, players think it is just another technique to gain an advantage, similar to card counting.

As soon as casino workers notice that you are applying the edge-sorting technique, they could ask you to leave the premises of the casino. Some might even decide to press charges.

Therefore, if you want to learn more about edge sorting, first make sure not to get caught while doing it.

What is Edge Sorting?

To understand edge sorting, you need to take into account that there are no perfect decks of cards out there. Even the ones made by the best card manufacturers still have some irregularities. These are made unintentionally and are mostly indistinguishable to a normal player. 

However, when you take a closer look at the edges of some cards, you can notice them. This is exactly what Phil Ivey and his partner called Cheung Yin Sun used to gain an advantage over casinos.

How is Edge Sorting Applied in Baccarat?

All you have to do is remember what the edges of some cards look like when they are placed face down. From that moment, you need to associate the irregularities of certain cards with their face value. Once you learn that, you will gain a significant advantage over the casino.

Ivey and Sun would usually ask the dealer to rotate some cards for good luck. The dealers would often believe that the reason for rotation is purely superstitious. What they didn’t realize is that they are just sorting edges of some cards for the two players. 

This is yet another thing you can apply as a part of the edge sorting method while playing games such as baccarat or blackjack. However, you need to understand that dealers can refuse your requests.