Marked cards in Previous Years WSOP

2009 WSOP marked card

According to Pokerati.com, the card pictured above was being used in a $5 000 No Limit Hold'em Shootout event during the 2009 WSOP.  I would guess that this is likely a printing error, but you would think that the deck inspection would show it up before it is put into play.  There was rumours of other games having marked cards that year and Pokerati reports that the $10 000 2-7 No Limit - 1D had not only smudge marks, but nail marks on some of the cards.  They report that at least one player was targeted for investigation in this matter.

This is not the first time that Andy Bloch has seen marked cards at the WSOP.  In 2006 he found a marked card and then asked the dealer to fan the deck for further inspection.  Andy then goes through the deck and bends the cards he believes to be marked.  The floorman tells Andy "Don't you dare do that again."  Andy stands up from his chair and gives the floorman hell for allowing a used deck to be used in the $50 000 H.O.R.S.E. event -  an event that was a showcase event.  The floorman says that if he doesn't calm down or if he bends anymore cards, be would get a 10 min. penalty.  Andy tells the man to go ahead and give him a penalty, and that he should call the gaming commission about what had happened.  Once he was done, he left the table and took his penalty.  Annie Duke also found a maked card, but was not given a penalty for pointing it out.  (A 2nd place finish ($1 029 600) for Andy Bloch probably gave him a little justice for his penalty.)

Later in Razz David Grey and Max Pescatori found marked cards at their table, where again Andy Bloch was playing.  He again called over the floor manager and it appears every other table got a fresh set up at the beginning of the tournament, with the exception of that particular table.

Later another marked card was found in play by John Hennigan at his table.  Doyle Brunson and Scott Fischman were both at the table and called for new cards, saying the situation was "terrible".

I was able to dig up some other random marked card occurrences in other years, often times in the big buy in events.  It isn't always clear if the cards have had manufacture's defects or have had nicks from wear and tear or if someone has been manufacturing an edge (read as cheating).  Either way, if you are playing in the WSOP, with the amount doff decks that they go through and the amount of players with all levels of morality, it would be in your best interest to pay close attention to the cards as well as the players.

Andy Bloch - Card Catcher