The Kepplinger holdout, a mechanical device invented over 130 years ago, remains in use today by expert card cheats to render sleight of hand invisible in private card games and casino table games. This device was first discovered in 1888 when three players caught the fourth player, PJ Kepplinger, cheating with a metal “thief” attached to his sleeve and a cable connected from knee to knee. Instead of facing jail time, Kepplinger was commissioned to build three identical devices for the players he had cheated.
Evolution of the Kepplinger Holdout
Over the years, the holdout has evolved into two variations: the knee-spread and the toe-spread. The knee-spread involves cutting small gaps in the inside leg of the operator’s pants, allowing a cable to be stretched between the knees when seated. The cable continues into a series of handmade brass tubes with specially designed hinges that extend up the side, past the waist, and down the arm via a small pulley system. The thief mechanism is strapped to the wrist on a rail and is pulled back into the sleeve when the cable is relaxed.
On the other hand, the toe-spread is anchored to the foot and operated by tilting the ankle. This variation takes more practice to perfect and can cause painful cramping.
Using the Kepplinger Holdout
Using the Kepplinger holdout requires both skill and practice. Expert machine players can steal cards from play, hide them in their sleeve, and return them to their palm invisibly. The holdout requires constant maintenance, and the operator needs to be an expert card cheat and a competent machinist.
There are only a handful of machine players out there because the work is incredibly difficult, and the details about how to use the Kepplinger holdout remain well-kept secrets. Every device is a little different and requires adaptation by each owner.
Despite the risks involved, the Kepplinger holdout is still used today because of its effectiveness. However, it requires a lot of work and a lot of risk for not a lot of money. The best use for it might not be to steal cards, but to turn any pack of cards into a marked deck.
Modern-Day Applications
The Kepplinger holdout machine may seem outdated, but it still has practical applications in modern-day card games. Recently, an American casino caught a Baccarat player using this 130-year-old device to cheat and win $900,000.
To understand the significance of this holdout machine, it’s important to know how it works. The Kepplinger is a mechanical device that allows a player to hide a card up their sleeve and then secretly switch it with a card on the table. This switch can give the player an unfair advantage in the game.
While the Kepplinger may not be as useful in games like Hold ‘Em, it still has potential in other card games where players don’t touch the cards. In these games, the holdout machine can be used to switch cards without ever alerting other players or dealers.
Preventing Cheating with the Kepplinger Holdout
Despite its age, the Kepplinger holdout machine is still a formidable tool for cheating in card games. It’s important for casinos and players alike to be aware of this device and take steps to prevent its use in games.
In conclusion, the Kepplinger holdout remains a relevant and effective tool for cheating in card games. Its continued use highlights the need for vigilance among casino operators and players to ensure fair play. While the device may be old, its potential to disrupt games and provide unfair advantages is still very real.
