It is simply amazing how many different cheating schemes exist in land-based and online poker , from bending cards, to slipping in a pre-arranged 'cold deck,' to front peeking, hitting the brief, stacking the deck, piping and dealing losing hands to unsuspecting victims. Inevitably, even the most seasoned poker players with vast experience in the game sometimes fall victims to a cheating scheme concocted by some card shark with fierce imagination.

Although it is impossible to become familiar with every cheating method in the book (as there are new cheating schemes being invented as we write these very words), we've decided to introduce our readers to a selection of the classics. This will, at least, make you immune to the years-old cheating schemes still in use by many cheaters. So, here they go:

Ace up the sleeve- A cheating method where an Ace is withdrawn from the deck for later usage. Naturally, this gives the cheater an unfair edge over his opponents. Generally speaking, the term refers to any unfair advantage a cheater may have over other game participants.

Back peek- A cheating method allowing the dealer to find out the value of the deck's top card. The maneuver is accomplished by squeezing the top of the deck in such a way as to bow the top card so it becomes slightly exposed.

Card marking- Marking the deck for identification later in the game.

Carry a slug- Dishonest shuffling of the deck. The goal is to arrange cards in a particular order. This is likely to bring unjustified victory to the cheater.

Collusion- A cheating method in which several partners tip each other off regarding their hand value. This obviously gives them an unjust edge.

Crimp- To bend cards in a particular way so that the deck is eventually cut to the spot convenient for the cheater.

Cull- The term refers to arranging cards before shuffling. The cheater sets the order in an attempt to deal himself as well as his cheating partners hands stronger (sometimes even winning hands) than the rest of the players.

Cut someone up- A cheating scheme that involves whipsawing. A whipsaw situation takes place when two cheating players keep raising and re-raising each forcing one player seated between them to call further bets so to be able to stay in the game.

Deal bottoms- A cheating maneuver where the dealer deals cards from the bottom of the deck instead of from the top. Obviously, this is done in order to manipulate the cards.

Deal seconds- A cheating method in which the dealer starts dealing cards with the second card from the top instead of from the first one, as he should have. The maneuver is performed in order to manipulate the cards.

Dent- A cheating scheme where the cheater bends a corner of a card for later identification during the game.

Double-dealing- A cheating move in which a card manipulator gives more cards to his partner or himself than to the other game participants. This is done assuming that the player with the additional card/s will be able to create a winning hand more easily, and later get rid of the excess cards.

Ear- To bend the corner of a card for later identification by a dishonest player.

Elevator- A cheating maneuver performed during card shuffling. The dealer offer the deck to be cut nut later restores the cards to their original order.

False cut- A cheating move where the deck is supposedly cut without actually having the card sequence changed. At least, at the top.

Front peek- A cheating scheme allowing the dealer to take a peek at the top card of the deck. This is accomplished by squeezing the deck and bowing the top card slightly. The move is made secretly without letting others spot the cheater.

Fuzz- To mix cards in an illegal shuffling method called 'overhand shuffle' 'Overhand shuffle designed to keep the cards in their original sequence. 'Overhand shuffle' is performed by holding the cards above the table instead of the standard poker room procedure in which the hands are kept on the table.

Gaff- The term refers to a cheating method or tool. For instance, false cutting or a hold-out machine.

Greek bottom- A cheating move in which the dealer deals the second card from the deck's bottom.

Grift- To cheat other players typically by stealing small amounts of cash.

Hit the brief- To cheat by cutting the deck at a predetermined spot. This is done by using an almost invisible 'ledge' placed in the deck so that the cheater's partner can cut it at a particular location.

Hold out- Perform a cheating scheme by removing one or more cards from play for later introduction in the game. A held-out card can be concealed anywhere, as long as it's out of other players' sight.

Las Vegas riffle- Making an appearance of shuffling without actually changing the cards' sequence. The move is performed by partial or complete concealment of the deck. The cards remain in their original position.

Line work- Marks placed on the deck by a cheater so to help him recognize the cards' value later in the game.

Mechanic's grip- A particular way of holding the cards popular among mechanics, because it allows them to manipulate cards (for instance, dealing bottoms) when holding the deck this way.

Milk- Mixing he cards in an overhand shuffle. This shuffling method is disallowed in traditional poker rooms because it allows cheaters to set up hands to be later dealt to predetermined positions.

Move- To manipulate the card deck in any way.

One-twoing- Any cheating method where two cheaters are cooperating against a single victim.

Overhand cut- A cheating maneuver in which a card thief cuts the deck in such a way as to restore the cards' initial order.

Overreach- Any cheating maneuver performed while dealing cards.

Palm- The cheating practice of removing a poker card from the table or a chip for the jackpot by covering them with the hand. This is done for the purpose of introducing them later in the game.

Peek- Taking a peek at the undealt top or bottom card of the deck. Possibly, before dealing the second card from the top or the bottom.

Pin work- Cards marked with scratches on their backs so that a cheater be able to establish their ranks by feel.

Piping- A cheating method where there are two cooperating players. One playing in the game and the other standing behind his partner's opponent's back and observing his cards. Then, the standing partner signals his sitting partner the opponent's hand value.

Pitch- To deal cards while using some sort of a cheating move.

Prick- Mark the backs of cards with any sharp object so to be able to tell by feel the rank of the card later on in the hand. Obviously, this is a thieving maneuver.

Pull-through- To shuffle falsely without changing their original order. The move is done by pulling half the deck through the other half instead of riffling the cards.

Rathole- The term refers to the practice of removing chips from the table during play. Although this poker maneuver is not strictly considered a cheating move, it is unfair to the other game participants who might have nabbed a larger amount if the chips were not removed.

Roll the deck- A cheating move where the cheater slips discarded cards on top of the deck.

Rounding- Marking the back of a card or bending a corner. This, obviously, is completely illegal.

Run up a hand- To select cards from the discard pile, and place them with the undealt cards. The undealt cards are distributed throughout the deck in a particular order highly convenient to him or his partners. This cheating move also consists of false shuffling.

Sauter la coupe- A cheating maneuver in which the dealer palms a card and moves it to the bottom of the deck, there to be dealt at his discretion.

Sign off- A method used by cheaters where one cheater signals his confederate regarding the card value of an opponent.

Slick- To make particular cards more slippery so to be able to slide them more easily. A cheating move.

Stack- Prearrange the cards in to a specific order so that certain cards go to certain people. This cheating method involves false card shuffling.

Sunning a deck- A cheating practice in which the thief marks particular cards by leaving them in the sun for a period of time. This causes their backs to either lighten or darken.

Telegraph- Cheat by sending certain signals. For instance, the use of particular words or phrases within a seemingly ordinary conversation providing valuable information.

Three pluck one- A cheating scheme with three thieves cooperating against an unsuspecting victim.

Tip the hand- Cheat by signaling to a partner the value of the hand of another player.

Undercut- Place a prearranged selection of cards from the bottom to the top of the deck while shuffling.

Unload- Get rid of unwanted cards. For instance, dropping them in one's lap or place them in the discards pile.

While most of these cheating methods are sometimes quite effective, we do not recommend our readers to use them. We believe in fair play!