31/03/2025 17:17
Tech advancements fuel cheating in poker. Can the slide-dealing method stop it? Dive into insights from WSOP, EPT, and pros!
Poker, a game of skill and strategy, faces a growing threat from cheating in the digital age. From cash games to global tournaments like the World Series of Poker (WSOP), high-tech scams like pinhole cameras have raised alarms. Enter the slide-dealing method—a potential game-changer replacing the traditional pitch. This article explores how slide could combat modern cheating in poker and reshape its future.
In an August 2024 Only Friends podcast, Matt Berkey revealed a suspected cheating ring using pinhole cameras at poker tables, sparking a WIRED feature: “Poker Cheaters Allegedly Use Tiny Hidden Cameras to Spot Dealt Cards.” By early 2025, pro Mike Holtz flagged widespread cheating in Las Vegas rooms like Resorts World, pointing to player collusion exploiting high pitch deals that expose cards.
Top players are speaking out. Patrick Leonard reported warning dealers over 20 times in three months about high pitches revealing cards. Steve O’Dwyer, an EPT Main Event champ, has pushed for slide for over a decade. This consensus highlights the urgency of the issue.
Unlike the classic pitch, where cards are tossed through the air, slide involves flicking cards across the felt, keeping them low to the table. This makes it nearly impossible to peek at card bottoms, even with hidden cameras. At EPT Barcelona in August 2024, the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) began adopting slide, earning praise online. A Reddit user noted: “UK dealers train this way—it’s fast and secure.”
The slide method boosts security and is easy to master. Kenny Hallaert, veteran TD and WSOP 2016 final tablist, said: “Slide protects every dealt card.” It’s versatile, fitting cash games and big events like EPT alike.
While slide is promising, rolling it out at WSOP—with hundreds of dealers, many novices—poses challenges. Training such a large workforce takes time and effort. Still, a phased approach could make it viable for enhancing poker integrity.
Some players prefer pitch for its nostalgic feel, but as cheating rises, security is taking precedence over tradition.
Maria Konnikova, psychologist and author, praised EPT’s shift to slide on the Life Outside Poker podcast, citing its edge against tech-based cheating. If adopted at WSOP, Hustler Casino Live, or local rooms, slide could set a new standard for fair play. Curious about anti-cheating tactics?
From hidden cameras to collusion, cheating in poker demands action. The slide dealing method offers a practical fix, ensuring fairness in every hand. Despite rollout challenges, support from Matt Berkey, Mike Holtz, and EPT signals its potential.
