Have you ever been cheated in a private poker game? If you play for big enough stakes, with folks you don’t know so well, Houston Curtis says the answer is, ‘probably’.
How would he know? Because Curtis makes it his business to know every move, angle and trick in the book. He’s a former TV executive with a resume of hits on MTV, CBS and more, but he’s also an expert in card mechanics - the dark art of manipulating playing cards during a shuffle, deal or hand, even when under close observation.
And now he’s sharing his insights with PokerOrg’s Craig Tapscott in an in-depth video interview focusing on some of the moves you might encounter at the table with a card mechanic. Click or tap above to view the video now.
‘I’m trying to teach you guys what to look out for’
The video above sees Curtis blur the lines between dealing a crooked poker game and the cardistry of a sleight-of-hand magician. It’s certainly not a lesson in how to cheat, but how to protect yourself and spot the tell-tale signs that your dealer - or fellow players - may not be on the level.
“I believe it’s important for the young generation to learn protection skills, just the way they would learn any other form of poker skill” says Curtis. “I deplore cheating, which is why I’m trying to teach you guys what to look out for.”
So, consider school in session. Watch on to see:
- How slugs of cards can be tracked and manipulated through multiple cuts and shuffles.
- ‘Short shuffles’, ‘nullified cuts’, ‘shifts’, ‘hops’ and ‘riffle stacking’.
- Second deals, bottom deals and even center deals.
- How players might cheat in a squarely dealt game using palming, hold-out and switch-out techniques.
- Exactly what to look for in a standard dealing and shuffling procedure to make sure it’s as difficult as possible for anyone to cheat.
- The hand position to watch for to counter bottom-dealers (and how some can even bottom-deal past a cut card).
Curtis also shows us some moves that have us still scratching our heads, and shares some great stories from his time in LA’s underground poker scene - including his time working behind the scenes at what would be known as ‘Molly’s Game’.
If you play regularly in private games, Curtis’ masterclass is essential viewing to keep yourself protected. And if you don’t, it’s a fascinating glimpse of a world where card tricks meet poker, and where magic meets mechanics.
You can learn more about Houston Curtis at his website and YouTube channel, and follow him on X.
