A JokerStars employee colluded with two players to rig a number of hands
A cheating scandal at a Houston poker club has resulted in one player being banned for life. JokerStars Social Club confirmed one of its former employees, frequent member Carlito, was arrested using RFID-compliant cards with a hidden reader at an invitation-only high-stakes game.
Club officials reported that Carlito and two guests—Marcelo and Ivan—brought a deck infused with RFID chips. The chips, along with the concealed reader, allowed the three to have access to real-time information on their opponents’ hole cards. Baffling plays during the session caused alarm, prompting employees to review security tapes, which led them to the cheating in progress.
In-house investigation was done by JokerStars general manager Jason Marshall. He interrogated Carlito upon noticing discrepancies on video. Marcelo and Ivan had already left the building, but the staff found the card-skimming device hidden in Carlito’s bag later. As per reports, he admitted to having installed the sting and using it to exploit the situation while playing.
Upon his admission, the club immediately received a lifetime ban. A refund was issued to the players involved, and owner Jerry Yen released public surveillance footage to promote transparency. The decision was largely supported by players who appreciated the immediate action and openness.
Carlito later expressed remorse in released messages placed online. He admitted to gaining mere hundreds of dollars from the fraud but acknowledged the long-term damage it has caused. His reputation in the poker circle is now tainted, and he has effectively been shunned by the group.
JokerStars is fighting back. Security is being tightened up. In the pipeline are specially tailored playing cards designed to be unhackable and less vulnerable to future attempts at reproduction. The theft was a timely reminder of how quickly trust can be lost—and how vital it is to protect the integrity of the game.
