The blog gives a beat by beat description of the "move" (if you can even call it that) with a link to the video which is set to play a few minutes before. For someone who doesn't play this game like me, it reads like a backwards lord of the rings fan fiction novel.

http://blog.andreashubert.com/?p=22

The best I can understand is the player on the left blatantly leaves the bottom card of the deck on the table (8:12:12) before he shuffles and passes for the cut. He then scoops up the card into his hand as he sets down the deck (8:12:26)

Here is a link to the actual video at (8:12:08) right before the "move"... watch the top left of the screen: http://www.twitch.tv/scglive/b/322528713?t=8h12m08s

This sort of rudimentary cheating with a game like this is as low as it gets, but when the cash prizes range from 35,000 to 60,000 USD - it can make you think. If you skim through parts of the entire video, the procedure seems to lend itself to a million ways of beating it properly.

Clock

These types of players are the 'pros' of this circle. Much the same way poker players watch the big guys play on TV, these guys are the pinnacle of this game. It has as much strategy and skill (if not more) than any 'standard' card game. The cheat is shocking because the rules and card abilities place limitations on these cards for the express purpose of game balance. In a standard casino game (blackjack, poker, etc) you have luck of the draw and your skill in reading your opponent, in these types of games you not only have the luck of the draw and yor skill in reading your opponent you also have a chess like level of strategy because you must understand not only the basic rules of the game but also constantly shifting rules and stratagems based on card abilities. I am in no way saying that any type of game is inferior but I do take offense to the tone of your phrasing "This sort of rudimentary cheating with a game like this is as low as it gets" it seems to imply you don't think much of these games. Not only is there money on the line but a small amount of fame in these circles which can translate to sponsorship money. Like many forms of fandom these games don't look like much from the outside but I played this particular game years ago and it can be cut throat and ruthless. Some players spends thousands of dollars on cards just to have every advantage. The cheat may have not been very skillfully pulled off but trust me he had his reasons and it wasn't 'just to win some game'.

I once had a guy point a 9mm at me because I interrupted his Dungeons & Dragons game so watch out for those dudes.

JJKnight,

Announcing 'Im offended' is basically telling the world you can't control your emotions, so everyone else should do it for you.

You're telling me that some players spend thousands of dollars on cards to gain a better advantage? This is what delegitimizes the game and the purity of it, not the fantasy nature or social stigma. More expensive chess pieces won't make you a better chess player.

The cheating was rudimentary. There was no real expertise or technique to it. So what? Some poker coolers that have won 100,000 dollar pots were blatantly obvious moves and require no real skill to execute (this point is a beaten dead horse here). What I noted was that there does seem to be a lot of money involved, and the game seems to have a lot of opportunities to beat it with good technique.

Clock

Hey Grant, great to see you back!

I watched about 30' of the video, seems you have to be a geek to play that game, lol.

I like the move, bold but efficient. I have witnessed dozen of moves like that while playing cards. I must admit I like such sleights, it takes guts and confidence. Basic but good. No need to 5th deal or dealing out from the center...

YOu guys should see the yu gi oh guys pull cheap shots like this.... specially some of the guys in the malaysian tourneys... my kids allways b-i-t-c-h about them

BTW yu gi oh is another similar card game that has the same sort of following.... sorry if I confused anyone..

:snail:

I think I'm in the wrong social circles because when I say I'm heading to a a magic convention they automatically assume it's "Magic" the card game ...

The video doesn't work It does not seem to load?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTjdaUTEYAQ


here is a youtube link.

A google search opens up a whole swamp of magic the gathering cheaters. Alex Bentoncini, Mark Justice etc. All can be seen on youtube . The moves are bold (playing extra landcards when not supposed to, drawing 4 cards instead of 3 when playing a Brainstorm, peeking bottom card etc).