PokerMagic Education

Published by PokerMagicShop, the publisher of the PokerMagic commercial website. This is an educational resource, not an independent certification service or a product offer.

Observe · document · review

Card Integrity Inspection Checklist

A repeatable way to document playing-card condition in classrooms, collections and other authorized inspection settings. Start with observations, not accusations.

A visual check cannot prove intent or rule out every kind of marking. Wear, lighting and manufacturing differences can cause false positives.

Read the six-step checklistSee a neutral record example

Six steps for a consistent inspection

You can print this page using your browser. Check marks are temporary and are not submitted or saved by this page.

  1. Record the starting condition

    Assign the deck a simple identifier. Record the date, source, packaging condition and whether it has already been used. If the history is unknown, record that rather than guessing. Inspect only cards you own or are authorized to examine.

  2. Compare under consistent lighting

    Use an even, neutral light source. Compare backs, borders, corners and edges for differences in wear, finish or damage. Change the viewing angle to check whether an apparent difference is a reflection. Do not add marks or modify cards during inspection.

  3. Separate observations from conclusions

    Write what you can see: a bent corner, a scratch, an uneven border or a change in finish. Do not record cheating as an observation. Manufacturing variation, dirt, lighting and ordinary handling can create differences without deliberate alteration.

  4. Request an independent second review

    Ask another authorized reviewer to inspect the deck without telling them which result you expect. Record agreement and disagreement. Photographs can help document condition, but reflections and image compression can also mislead.

  5. Set questionable cards aside

    If a concern remains unresolved, stop using the deck and follow your organization's replacement procedure. Keep it separately labeled and record its storage location and the reviewer responsible. Do not confront or publicly accuse someone based on a visual difference alone.

  6. Keep a proportionate record

    Record the deck identifier, date, lighting, observations, reviewer reference, decision and replacement identifier if applicable. Preserve the original record and note later corrections. Avoid payment details, player accusations and unnecessary personal information.

Example of a neutral record

This is an illustrative entry, not a real inspection or evidence of misconduct.

Deck identifier
classroom-deck-01
Observation
One corner is bent.
Lighting
Even white light.
Second review
Damage confirmed; cause unknown.
Decision
Set aside and use a replacement deck.

For your own record, also include the inspection date, reviewer reference, storage location and replacement identifier when applicable.

What this checklist cannot establish

This is general educational material, not a forensic assessment or a guarantee that cards are unmarked. Refer specialized concerns to an authorized, qualified professional. Do not activate unfamiliar equipment, interfere with someone else's property or make accusations from an unverified observation.

No purchase or contact details are required to read or use this checklist.