How to Cheat.

[Sand-Trap]

Before reading further, you need to realize that I'm not trying to create a game filled with cheaters. Rather, I'm trying to create a knowledge base that everyone can become familiar with in order to stop cheaters. If you know how people are cheating, then you know what to look for in order to stop them, and more importantly, to get them banned from the game entirely. Every Judge and Tournament Organizer should be fully aware of these tactics.

NOTE: I have never, ever used such tactics in my life outside of trying them out by myself (Tactic #1). I believe that innovation and skill in both deck construction and gameplay should be the main factors in determining who wins a game. If "pro" players get mad at me because I'm calling them out or revealing their secrets, tough ****.

Cheating Tactic #1: Stacking the Deck

This was apparently being taught at SJC San Mateo (the most recent SJC). I won't mention any particular names in this instance because some are my friends, but a lot of pros definitely know of this technique: whether they use it or not, I'm not sure because I'm not watching them individually.

In order to do this properly, you need a 40-card deck. Put together two "God Hands" of five cards each, and place each God Hand at the top and bottom of your deck. Pile shuffle your deck into 5 separate piles, from left to right, so that the first card goes on the leftmost pile and the last card ends up on top of the rightmost pile. Then take the first pile, put it top of the second, the second onto the third, and so on. Once that's done, pile shuffle the deck again in the same manner, only this time create 8 separate piles. Once you put them back on top of each other again, look at the top five cards: it will be the God Hand you put on the bottom at the very beginning. The bottom of your deck will have the God Hand you placed at the top of the deck at the beginning.

Using this technique, players can create any opening hand they desire. When the opponent is giving a chance to shuffle/cut the deck, a simple cut may be done, which the cheater can simply undo via his re-cut and put the God Hand back in place. If not, the cheater can simply create 8 5-card great hands throughout the entire deck to minimize the damage done by the opponent's cut. In order to stop this technique, shuffle the deck a lot. Never simply cut if you suspect this technique being used. If you notice your opponent going from a 5-pile shuffle into an 8-pile shuffle, be aware. Variations of this can also occur.

Cheating Technique #2: Abusing Destiny Hero - Dasher

I've seen Kris Perovic explaining this technique to someone else first-hand at SJC Houston. Basically, if you have a big monster such as Dark Magician of Chaos or Jinzo stuck in your hand with Destiny Hero - Dasher in the graveyard, when you draw your card for the turn, make an overdramatic drawing motion and swap the card you drew with the card you want to special summon with Dasher using both hands. Done smoothly, it'll look like you're just excited about drawing an excellent monster to use with Dasher when in fact you're just cheating. Remember: it never takes more than one hand to draw a card.

Cheating Technique #3: Card Swap

Similar to #2, smooth hands are very necessary because, when done properly, it's insanely hard to catch. But basically, a player had Mirror Force in his hand and, when responding to an attack, instead of simply flipping a face-down spell/trap with your fingers, he slid the Mirror Force from his hand underneath a spell/trap on the field while pulling that spell/trap back to his hand with his other hand, all in one very smooth, fluid motion. If someone normally just flips a card over with their fingers and now suddenly does it using a card, beware.

Emon, no hard feelings bro. I know we've patched things up and all, and I <3 ya bro, and I'm glad that my small doubt about you has been lifted. And when you come off your ban, you can get right back into the game without cheating and still own the Jumps. I know you're a great player, I've seen it first-hand.

Cheating Technique #4: Bottom Dealing

This occurs at every single SJC. After searching for something in the deck, the cheater will offer the deck for shuffling/cutting. The other player, when handing the deck back to them, may notice what the bottom card is, such as a Golden Sarcophagus. Happy that a Golden Sarcophagus is at the bottom of the deck, the other player is shocked when the cheater suddenly plays Golden Sarcophagus on the following turn. The cheater had either just drawn a card off the bottom of his deck, or put the bottom card on top right before drawing for his turn. Beware of players checking out the bottom of their decks when you're returning their decks to them.

There are a couple other techniques that few people use, but honestly...it's kinda hard to catch and stop them effectively (until it becomes suspicious, anyways), so I won't explain further.

Note: Drawing cards illegally is something I didn't want to talk about due to it being hard to catch the person with solid proof on your behalf. With cards such as Destiny Draw, Trade-In, Foolish Burial, Card Trooper, Snipe Hunter, etc, it's hard to keep track of how many cards each person should have in their respect hands and graveyards.

General Tips:

-When shuffling your opponent's deck, always keep your eyes on your own deck. It's not hard to pile shuffle a deck without looking.

-Anytime a player asks for something that would result in your eyes being diverted, keep checking your opponent while you're doing something else.

-When pile shuffling your opponent's deck at the beginning of the match, count how many cards are in the deck, and then confirm that number with your opponent. Not only will this give you inside information on what the opponent is running (for example, Fifth Gadget ran 45 cards in their deck), but makes sure that during Game 2 and 3, there's still the same amount of cards in the main deck. An

[Fallen Monk Zanba]

This is an interesting thread idea which, I feel, can be both useful and effective to players and judges alike. I wish I knew a method that I could contribute to the list, but sadly, I do not. If you can get video recordings of these cheating manouvers performed, that would be great.

[Electro]

One more method to draw the exact card you want:
(I haven't used it, but I've caught one person doing that and banned him from the tournament with a report to UDE, which unfortunately went unheard... )

If you notice that a person (which is using a deck that searches alot) constantly looks at the bottom card while searching the deck, or highlights a card he wants to search, but then "makes up his mind to search for another", and after shuffling he doesn't present the deck for a cut - Beware. He will clearly draw a card which he wants to turn the tide in his favor.

[ButterNutz]

Very good information. Great job telling people what to look for. Thanks from me if no one else.

[lordsarafan77]

Like above, good info.

Luckily here, not many people cheat.

[mage_power]

good read

10 characters

[OneTurnKo_king]

you forget something, the drawing abuse.
Lets say someone has cards in his hand but puts them on the table so you can't see the count of cards. next turn they can draw 2 cards instead of one and half the time you wont notice it inless you ask for cout of cards in there hand...make sure they dont lie

[_jsl_]

45 card stack.

[boogieomatic]

this helped to pick out cheaters more than actually doing the cheating myself

[The_Gravekeeper]

Originally Posted by Sand-Trap

Cheating Tactic #1: Stacking the Deck

This was apparently being taught at SJC San Mateo (the most recent SJC). I won't mention any particular names in this instance because some are my friends, but a lot of pros definitely know of this technique: whether they use it or not, I'm not sure because I'm not watching them individually.

In order to do this properly, you need a 40-card deck. Put together two "God Hands" of five cards each, and place each God Hand at the top and bottom of your deck. Pile shuffle your deck into 5 separate piles, from left to right, so that the first card goes on the leftmost pile and the last card ends up on top of the rightmost pile. Then take the first pile, put it top of the second, the second onto the third, and so on. Once that's done, pile shuffle the deck again in the same manner, only this time create 8 separate piles. Once you put them back on top of each other again, look at the top five cards: it will be the God Hand you put on the bottom at the very beginning. The bottom of your deck will have the God Hand you placed at the top of the deck at the beginning.

Using this technique, players can create any opening hand they desire. When the opponent is giving a chance to shuffle/cut the deck, a simple cut may be done, which the cheater can simply undo via his re-cut and put the God Hand back in place. If not, the cheater can simply create 8 5-card great hands throughout the entire deck to minimize the damage done by the opponent's cut. In order to stop this technique, shuffle the deck a lot. Never simply cut if you suspect this technique being used. If you notice your opponent going from a 5-pile shuffle into an 8-pile shuffle, be aware. Variations of this can also occur.

Thanks for this. I've seen this happen a lot but never knew people were stacking. I always thought it was a way to pile shuffle well, but it looks like I'm wrong.

[Arshen]

We, back in the day, had a way to cheat using the ard swap. Though it had to do with either sneezing, coughing, or generaly making the opponent look away from the duel. I still catch people trying to do this one.

Great post, btw, excellent for those who want to catch those who are cheating. Though it may still be a wee bit hard for those who really never have cheated in a card game before

[Lord D-J]

Originally Posted by Sand-Trap

Before reading further, you need to realize that I'm not trying to create a game filled with cheaters. Rather, I'm trying to create a knowledge base that everyone can become familiar with in order to stop cheaters. If you know how people are cheating, then you know what to look for in order to stop them, and more importantly, to get them banned from the game entirely. Every Judge and Tournament Organizer should be fully aware of these tactics.

NOTE: I have never, ever used such tactics in my life outside of trying them out by myself (Tactic #1). I believe that innovation and skill in both deck construction and gameplay should be the main factors in determining who wins a game. If "pro" players get mad at me because I'm calling them out or revealing their secrets, tough ****.

Cheating Tactic #1: Stacking the Deck

This was apparently being taught at SJC San Mateo (the most recent SJC). I won't mention any particular names in this instance because some are my friends, but a lot of pros definitely know of this technique: whether they use it or not, I'm not sure because I'm not watching them individually.

In order to do this properly, you need a 40-card deck. Put together two "God Hands" of five cards each, and place each God Hand at the top and bottom of your deck. Pile shuffle your deck into 5 separate piles, from left to right, so that the first card goes on the leftmost pile and the last card ends up on top of the rightmost pile. Then take the first pile, put it top of the second, the second onto the third, and so on. Once that's done, pile shuffle the deck again in the same manner, only this time create 8 separate piles. Once you put them back on top of each other again, look at the top five cards: it will be the God Hand you put on the bottom at the very beginning. The bottom of your deck will have the God Hand you placed at the top of the deck at the beginning.

Using this technique, players can create any opening hand they desire. When the opponent is giving a chance to shuffle/cut the deck, a simple cut may be done, which the cheater can simply undo via his re-cut and put the God Hand back in place. If not, the cheater can simply create 8 5-card great hands throughout the entire deck to minimize the damage done by the opponent's cut. In order to stop this technique, shuffle the deck a lot. Never simply cut if you suspect this technique being used. If you notice your opponent going from a 5-pile shuffle into an 8-pile shuffle, be aware. Variations of this can also occur.

Cheating Technique #2: Abusing Destiny Hero - Dasher

I've seen Kris Perovic explaining this technique to someone else first-hand at SJC Houston. Basically, if you have a big monster such as Dark Magician of Chaos or Jinzo stuck in your hand with Destiny Hero - Dasher in the graveyard, when you draw your card for the turn, make an overdramatic drawing motion and swap the card you drew with the card you want to special summon with Dasher using both hands. Done smoothly, it'll look like you're just excited about drawing an excellent monster to use with Dasher when in fact you're just cheating. Remember: it never takes more than one hand to draw a card.

Cheating Technique #3: Card Swap

Similar to #2, I've seen this one used by Emon when playing against James Naughton at '07 Nationals for Cyber Dragon playmats. Smooth hands are very necessary because, when done properly, it's insanely hard to catch. But basically, he had Mirror Force in his hand and, when responding to an attack, instead of simply flipping a face-down spell/trap with your fingers, he slid the Mirror Force from his hand underneath a spell/trap on the field while pulling that spell/trap back to his hand with his other hand, all in one very smooth, fluid motion. If someone normally just flips a card over with their fingers and now suddenly does it using a card, beware.

Emon, no hard feelings bro. I know we've patched things up and all, and I <3 ya bro, but since you're currently banned for cheating anyways, there's no harm in explaining how...it can only help the game. And when you come off your ban, you can get right back into the game without cheating and still own the Jumps. I know you're a great player, I've seen it first-hand.

Cheating Technique #4: Bottom Dealing

This occurs at every single SJC. After searching for something in the deck, the cheater will offer the deck for shuffling/cutting. The other player, when handing the deck back to them, may notice what the bottom card is, such as a Golden Sarcophagus. Happy that a Golden Sarcophagus is at the bottom of the deck, the other player is shocked when the cheater suddenly plays Golden Sarcophagus on the following turn. The cheater had either just drawn a card off the bottom of his deck, or put the bottom card on top right before drawing for his turn. Beware of players checking out the bottom of their decks when you're returning their decks to them.

There are a couple other techniques that few people use, but honestly...it's kinda hard to catch and stop them effectively (until it becomes suspicious, anyways), so I won't explain further.

Sneaky !!
If i get chucked out of my local 4 trying that ...

[WondaWice]

Originally Posted by The_Gravekeeper

Thanks for this. I've seen this happen a lot but never knew people were stacking. I always thought it was a way to pile shuffle well, but it looks like I'm wrong.

Well sometimes it just simply is a pile shuffle, but just look out for it, because not everyone is going to be honest about it.

[Undead Knight]

Here's a few techniques I know of from magic trick books.

Hindu Shuffle (Not me being racist, the actual name for the technique, google it)
The classic Poker stacking/Cheap Card Trick technique known as the "Hindu Shuffle" which is the one mainly kids use, but I've seen some more experienced players use it.

Basically, glimpse at your deck trying to spot a card you want. Do a forced shuffle to get it to the bottom (by gradually removing the cards below it and shifting them above it). Once it has reached the bottom, you put a finger or two on it and GENTLY pull the bottom half of the deck out making sure the deck stays angled downwards. The bottom card stays perfectly in place. Then it's just a matter of doing a reverse forced shuffle. A person shuffling either slowly; or even rather casually or in a delicate manner; could be using this technique. Unfortunately, that pretty much covers every player except for the reckless shufflers, not much you can do. This technique is easily thwarted by a thorough shuffling.

Cutting Shenanigans:
Take the theory of the Hindu shuffle. Get a finger on the bottom, and the bottom card comes with the top of the pack. What ever card was on the bottom is now firmly placed in the center. If you've force shuffled a bent card or a card with a difference that you can feel or see to the top, this will allow you to guarantee your draws. Can usually be spotted because it really hard to do without taking 3/4 of the deck with you. If they take less then half and they're trying to do this, it's quite obvious that that's what they're doing. Again, if you shuffled instead of cutting, they're screwed.

Short Slicing
Simply shaving the edges of a card or sleeve so that if you opponent cuts anywhere near there, that card will end up on top. Once again, shuffling over cutting screws this.

Palmed Draws
This is the technique Fili Luna was accused of using at San Mateo. Basically you run a 45 card deck and hide a 5-Card god hand up your sleeve, in your watch band, etc, and present the deck to your opponent to cut. If they pile shuffle, it comes up as a 40 card deck so no-one's suspicious. Then as you go to draw you place your god hand on top of the deck and then draw your opening hands. Pile shuffles not only legal (some people out there think they aren't) but key to catching anybody using this technique. You should ALWAYS pile shuffle and find out how many card are in your opponent's deck at the start of a game, and CONFIRM IT. This knowledge is immensely useful, as mid game you can count your opponent's cards and ask how many they have left in deck. If, when you add these two numbers together, it doesn't match the total you got at the start, call over a judge and let them know.




Basically, Pile shuffle followed by a thorough shuffling and you're golden.

[masterchief]

I saw someone at the Greensboro Regionals use the Dasher trick. He drew into some magic card I think and he put his hand together with it and summoned DMoC from his hand with Dashers effect.

[Ozz465]

very informative,

[OneTurnKo_king]

My friend told be bout the hide and run trick
40 card deck and you take a godly hand(lets say exodia) put them together and give them to your oppent and he knows you put them there so he power shuffles, and while he shuffling you look at the bottom of his deck(lets say CCV) and you take it and power shuffle the deck and take the CCV when hes giving you back the deck..if you dont understand heres a simpler version

1. You look like you stack so they power shuffle your deck and contreate on that
2.Look at the bottom of there deck and find a godly card and keep it there.
3.you gotta be VERY good to do this...take the card into your deck and drop it on your lap and drop it on the ground
4. lets say it was malicous and he uses the effect and say he cant find the other one..he only have 39 cards in his deck so its game loss..
5. please dont try this

[Supremeking_Judai]

I usually keep my eye on my opponent at ALL times. Even when he shuffles my deck. Usually when he shuffling his I look at his deck while he shuffles sometime theres a card or two I see that gives away his deck. But yup great information Im gonna shuffle my opponents deck from now on.

[DUELING DAD]

There is also the rota trick. where u can search out any card in your deck and just show them a warrior in your hand. I also have seen people draw extra cards for poa and D draw. some people will also draw extra cards any opportunity they can. there is alot more ways that people cheat. just watch then and always verify how amny cards are in there hand at all times.

D.D.

[PJ]

Originally Posted by DUELING DAD

There is also the rota trick. where u can search out any card in your deck and just show them a warrior in your hand. I also have seen people draw extra cards for poa and D draw. some people will also draw extra cards any opportunity they can. there is alot more ways that people cheat. just watch then and always verify how amny cards are in there hand at all times.

D.D.

Used that one in a fun-duel before to show how easy it is to cheat.

Never done it in an event though.

[Yug Yug]

wow, i wonder how many times any of these tachniques have happened to me.

[PJ]

Originally Posted by Yug Yug

wow, i wonder how many times any of these tachniques have happened to me.

I'm starting to wonder that now...

[Chaos_Theory]

I too, wonder how many times I've been slighted, now that I know how easy it is to do.

Thank you for the thread, it was very informative and I know what to look for moreso than before.

[Blade of darkness]

This pile shuffling technique is based on an advanced algorithm which you can order cards, while yugioh players are using a simplified version to find god hands the method can be used to allow a player to know the entire order of the deck. then an god hand isn't such a big deal since you can spot them easy, if i know im always going to have a way to drop a monarch when i draw it or never draw double LADD i have an advantage. This is the hardest method to catch since the deck is still randomized, the difference? i know the whole order how do you prove it?

im not going to post the formula since while educating people is important its like telling people how to break into cars, it wont stop it from happening it will make it worse.

high level table judges should be educated not players.

[LS1Killa]

I wonder is this has been done to me.