Edge Sorting: Pure Cheating, Or A Smart Technique To Help You Beat The House?
The majority of poker players that have heard about edge sorting still don’t know how it works. The term sounds like a math problem, and that’s because it is. The process of edge-sorting involves players using probabilities, statistics, and high levels of mathematical knowledge to exploit the slight advantages in the tiny details of the cards used in poker games. Let’s get one thing straight: Edge sorting is not some magic trick or sleight-of-hand; it doesn’t involve switching cards on anyone or even taking physical possession of them. Instead, it is an exploit within the game rules that requires great skill and understanding of probability to pull off successfully. If you can understand what you need to know about edge sorting and whether you have the necessary skills to use it at the poker table, you can determine whether or not it makes sense for you as a player.
What Is Edge Sorting?
Edge sorting is the practice of sorting playing cards according to their finish to give yourself an advantage at the poker table. The idea is that by sorting the cards by their finish (rank), such as their order in a deck of cards, you can quickly identify the advantageous and disadvantageous cards during play. Knowing which cards are the aces, the kings, the queens, and so on makes it much easier to spot them during play. This gives you an advantage over other players at the table who cannot quickly identify the cards they need to make winning hands. Of course, you can use this to your advantage when playing, too.
How Does Edge Sorting Work?
There are various ways in which you can implement edge sorting. One of the most common methods is to use a manufactured edge sorting device that makes it easier to keep track of cards at the table. These devices are made from a solid material, possibly acrylic, and have grooves and channels engraved into the sides of the device. You then initially use the device to sort the cards and place them face-down into the machine, where they are constantly kept in order. Another way is to use a tool called a card reader. These are often used by poker players already skilled in edge sorting to help keep track of cards while they are being dealt. Card readers are most often used when playing online poker because there is no way of sorting real cards at the table in an online game.
Why Is It Effective?
The idea behind edge sorting is that certain cards – such as the aces, kings, queens, and possibly the 10s and 9s – are more likely to be dealt to certain players. This is because some cards in a deck are heavier than others due to their finish, and they will be more likely to be dealt to one player or another during a poker game. Various statistics show how cards are distributed during play. For example, a deck of cards has 52 cards, but only 48 are standard cards (jacks through to aces). The other four cards in a deck are wild cards or jokers. Of the 48 traditional cards, the authorities are the heaviest, and the jacks are the lightest. This means you are more likely to get dealt an ace than a jack during play.
Who Can Benefit From Edge Sorting?
Almost any player can benefit from edge sorting to some degree, but it is beneficial for specific players. If you are a beginner and new to the game, edge sorting can give you a slight advantage over more experienced players, as they may need to learn this technique. It can also be quite helpful for recreational players who want to improve their game but don’t want to put in the hours of practice required to get there. Finally, professional players who make a living from poker tournaments can also benefit from edge sorting. However, it is more effective for them as they are more likely to have the mathematical skills and time to practice it.
The Drawbacks of Edge Sorting
The fact that edge sorting is a controversial topic in the poker world means that it has both advantages and disadvantages as a strategy. The main advantage of edge sorting is that it is a relatively easy technique that can be learned by anyone with a basic grasp of probabilities in poker. But it is also a very effective method that can provide a massive advantage over other players at the table, as it is something they are likely to be unaware of or able to counter. However, the technique itself is unlikely to be noticed by other players. This is because players using edge sorting are likely to keep their cards face down at all times during play, making it difficult for others to spot.
Final Thoughts
Poker is a game of skill, luck, and psychological advantage, and many of the top online poker sites offer strictly skill-based games. You don’t have to change your luck against other players by trying to outsmart them or by hoping you get the cards you need to win. Instead, you can use a technique such as an edge sorting to give yourself a slight advantage over your opponents. This means you can win more often than you lose, regardless of the cards you are dealt. And that is the mark of a genuinely successful poker player.
