2025-10-11T21:50:00Z

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Have you ever wondered if a simple machine could spell disaster for honest poker players? Well, brace yourself, because a daring journalist has just proven that card shuffling machines can indeed be hacked!

In a jaw-dropping video titled "I Cheated At Poker By Hacking A Casino Card Shuffling Machine," WIRED’s Senior Writer Andy Greenberg takes us on a rollercoaster ride into the underbelly of poker cheating. Within a mere 24 hours, the video racked up over 100,000 views, captivating audiences with its shocking revelations about the vulnerabilities of shuffling machines, specifically the Deckmate 2, found in casinos and poker rooms worldwide.

Joining Greenberg on this audacious journey is security consultant Joseph Tartaro, who has dedicated years to uncovering how these automatic shufflers can be exploited. With a flair for dramatics, Tartaro reveals a startling flaw: the USB port on the back of these machines makes them incredibly susceptible to hacking. He doesn’t just talk the talk; he plugs in a device that can read the order of the cards and shows Greenberg how it works. "This device has a Bluetooth model and it will wirelessly connect to this phone," Tartaro explains. "And every time a deck gets shuffled, it will get the exact order from the camera (in the shuffler) and send it to me."

With the machine hacked and ready for action, Greenberg sets up a private poker game with Tartaro and two unsuspecting players. Using his phone to receive signals from Tartaro, Greenberg skillfully maneuvers through the game, folding, calling, and raising with confidence, ultimately winning despite being an inexperienced player. Talk about a rigged deck!

But here’s the real question: Should poker players be worried? Tartaro’s revelations shine a bright light on the dark side of poker, especially as technology continues to evolve. Psychologist Maria Konnikova recently warned about new cheating methods like nano cameras and high-tech card protectors that could pose risks at the table.

Doug Polk, a poker pro and owner of The Lodge in Texas, adds another layer of caution, stating that while the Deckmate 2 is relatively safe in regulated casino settings, the real danger lurks in private, unregulated games. "The Deckmate 2 in a casino location, you shouldn't be too scared of," he reassures. "But once someone gets one on the black market, that’s when the real cheating begins."

Even Light and Wonder, the company behind Deckmate 2, addressed these concerns, claiming they've updated their firmware to patch security flaws. Yet, as Tartaro points out, the risk remains. So next time you sit down at the poker table, you might want to keep one eye on your cards and the other on the shuffling machines!