Do you mean when using the first method in general? Or specifically in the situation where he deals a second?

In the situation where he dealt a second. There was something else he was doing during that whole sequence that increased his chances to slightly beyond 62.5%. It's a minor thing to be sure, but cost his essentially nothing.

Jason

If he could create more instances of red/black alternating then that would increase the odds, but I can't think how that would work practically.

The other method you mention – peeking and controlling the burn cards to be the next flop – is pretty impressive.

For the burn card flop placement, I guess you could clean up the table by scooping the muck with the peeked burn cards, then scooping those with the board cards so they go under. Then you'd just need to false shuffle and add one extra card on top...

That would put the peeked burn cards in flop position, and I think it'd be pretty natural looking.


Still no idea on the other thing though...

It was simpler than that.

As before, assume your opponent takes red. You need majority of black on the flop.

Rod just waited until he found a large group of red cards in a row (like the flop plus turn card, for instance). He then would control that group to the bottom of the deck as he picked up for the next shuffle. It was trivially easy for him to control 3 or 4 (sometimes more) cards on the bottom of the deck, set and hit a brief for himself.

Now, not only is he dealing seconds whenever he sees a black card on top of the deck after the initial 2 cards, but the opponent also began with a 3 or 4 card handicap and didn't realize it. A small thing, to be sure, but worth it since it was so easy for Rod.

Jason

Yes, but isn't that unsportsmanlike and gaining an unfair advantage.

Wait a minute! Isn't that cheating?

And here I thought, Rod the Hop was above reproach.

A sucker has no business with money in the first place.
- Canada Bill Jones