If you watch poker cheats, card sharps, I was watching a Kif Chan video, and subsequently i realised that alot of them have a very vintage looking ring, those silver ring with a small gemstone on it in their ring finger. Does anyone know it's significance?

Yea, the significance is that they are card sharps, so they cheat your money they go buy something nice for themselves la.

And kif chan is from hongkong, and hongkong guys are metrosexual, so it's not unusual for them to accessories i guess.

I doubt the ring has any use other then the fact that it looks nice and cool and bloody obnoxious.

ZiAn

Hmmm. Hey Zian - you're from HK - shouldn't you accessorize too?

Shade

Not only Hk ppl, still got Dai Vernon, Richard Turner also wear the ring, and does anyone here who is a card sharp?

Often these rings are made with a mirror or shiny reflective surface. They are called shiners in the trade. It can allow you to peek at the bottom card of the deck or the card you just dealt.

Larry

Thanks Larry, i think i'm gonna get those, seems nice when you are dressed in formal clothing. And somehow or another, it gives the professional look. Haha

Eh... actually I'm not too sure if the ring is really meant for that purpose. I've read that some cardsharps do use shiners but if EVERYBODY starts wearing it during card games, wouldn't it be a bit too obvious? Just like the PK ring... (could it be there is a "Card SharP shop" that sells all these shiners' ring? :P ok... :off: )

Ok, I'm no cardsharp and I'm far far away from being one. But based on what I read before, cardsharps generally depended on their skills for cheating. Things like shiners and mechanical "hold-outs" are pretty antiquated from the time of SW Erdnase.

So my conclusion is, the ring is just a accessory for looking good.

PS: Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Shiners and hold outs are still used today, as mentioned by Steve Forte in his book "Poker Protection"

In fact, shiners are one of the most useful things to possess in a card game. Knowing what is being dealt to other people IS a real strong advantage.

Where to get the book? borders? rather i'm more interested in where to get the shiner...haha