Mississippi Stud Poker Scheme: Alleged Cheaters Face Felony Charges in SoCal | 10BET
Mississippi Stud Poker Scheme Leads to Felony Charges for Alleged Cheaters in SoCal
- Pair allegedly bent cards to gain an unfair betting advantage
- Prosecutors say suspects won more than $32K through the scheme
- Casino surveillance and tribal cooperation led to charges
Two gamblers who allegedly engaged in card crimping during Mississippi Stud Poker games at casinos in San Diego County, California, are now facing serious felony charges that could put them behind bars for up to 44 months.
Vaagn Galustyan (52) and Armin Martirosyan (53) were recently arraigned on two counts of felony conspiracy. Surveillance footage caught them bending the corners of high-value cards at both Pala Casino and Harrah’s Resort Southern California, as confirmed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
How the Scheme Worked
The suspects manipulated certain aces, tens, and face cards, allowing them to identify these cards when they reappeared. This knowledge enabled them to place more aggressive bets when they held strong hands and to fold when the odds were not in their favour. As a result, they reportedly pocketed $19,250 at Pala Casino.
A week later, they attempted the same trick at Harrah’s Resort, taking home $13,410. The duo was careful to avoid suspicion; they entered the casinos separately and returned in different clothes to collect their winnings from different cashiers.
Understanding Mississippi Stud Poker
Mississippi Stud is a popular poker-style game where players use two hole cards and three community cards to create a five-card hand. Unlike other poker games where players compete against one another, in Mississippi Stud, gamblers wager against a fixed payout table, increasing bets as community cards are unveiled.
Typically, strong hands such as flushes or straights yield payouts, while weak hands lose all bets. The ability to potentially see a high-value card beforehand can greatly enhance a player’s chance of winning.
Cheating techniques, like bending or marking cards, have been around for ages, but today’s casinos employ extensive surveillance and high-tech card systems to thwart such tactics. Real-time monitoring of tables, frequent deck swaps, and the use of durable plastic-coated cards have all been implemented to prevent cheating.
“Cheating methods like this have existed for centuries,” remarked District Attorney Summer Stephan. “With current technological advancements, we can identify these activities, and those trying to con local casinos will face justice. I’m proud of my team’s partnerships with tribal governments that allow us to tackle various crimes occurring on tribal jurisdictions.”
Summary: Two gamblers face felony charges after allegedly cheating at Mississippi Stud Poker in Southern California casinos, netting over $32,000 through bending cards. This incident shines a light on the ongoing battle between casino surveillance and cheating tactics.
