A high-stakes cash game at the JokerStars Poker Room in Houston was rocked by scandal last Sunday night, as a sophisticated cheating operation involving RFID technology was uncovered. Three players, including a former club employee identified as “Carlito” (reportedly Carlito Almirol, according to social media), were caught executing the scheme. Following a confession, the main perpetrator has been banned for life.
A Near-Cinematic High-Tech Heist
At the heart of this scheme lies a specially engineered deck of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards. Each card is embedded with a tiny microchip that transmits its suit and rank. During play, a concealed scanner reads the cards as they are dealt, relaying the data in real-time to an accomplice. This information can then be signaled to the cheater at the table via a hidden earpiece or vibration device, effectively granting them knowledge of their opponents’ hole cards. While this technology is used legitimately in major tournament broadcasts, its weaponization poses a sinister threat to the game’s integrity.
The Plot Uncovered
According to a statement from JokerStars, the cheating trio consisted of former employee “Carlito” and two guests he had invited, “Marcelo” and “Ivan.” A review of security footage by General Manager Jason Marshall revealed the critical moment: Carlito swapping out the house deck for one from his backpack.
During a confrontation following an internal investigation, Marcelo and Ivan fled the premises before they could be questioned. While Carlito initially denied the allegations, he ultimately confessed to other players at the table, some of whom were his friends, after staff discovered the card-reading device in his backpack.
Leaked Messages: Remorse or Rationalization?
Shortly after the incident, private messages allegedly sent by Carlito surfaced online. In the messages, he expressed remorse, writing, “I just got dragged into the system. I admitted that I made the wrong decision… I owned up to my mistake and ready to pay penance.”
However, he also claimed the profits from the scheme were minimal—around $400—and alleged that JokerStars staff confiscated $2,700 of his personal funds as compensation.
The Aftermath: A Sobering Warning for the Poker World
JokerStars took swift and decisive action following the discovery: “Carlito” was immediately banned for life, all affected players were fully reimbursed, and the club announced it is now developing custom playing cards to prevent future security breaches.
While JokerStars’ rapid response is commendable, the incident serves as a chilling reminder of the live poker ecosystem’s vulnerability. It underscores the urgent need for security measures and player vigilance to evolve in tandem with the advancing tools of deception.
