The Expert at the Card Table is the book first published back in 1902, by S.W.Erdnase. There are lots of interesting things for every gambler in that little book. Nevertheless, we will concentrate on the part explaining the various methods for cheating, to be more exact, for card marking.
There are lots of differences if we try to compare playing in some Las Vegas casinos and gambling in all kinds of little ones all over the country, or even on riverboats. The security measures are different on such places and, dealer or player; you have to know little something about all kinds of techniques.
Believe it or not, you can actually buy factory-marked cards. It is usually made with a paintbrush, and you can see slightly different thickness on the card corners, or on some details.
The skillful cheater can even try to get his cards into casinos.
If the person has some talent, he can use the paintbrush himself, if he can find the appropriate shades of colors used.
For those who would like to simplify the things, the iron can be used. Simply press the iron on counting cards and they will lose a little shine. Good enough for someone who knows what is it all about.
On the other hand, you can put a little drop of water on some specific part of the card and leave it there for few minutes before wiping it off. Afterwards, you will be able to see the little difference if you hold the card in appropriate angle.
If you visit some magician shops, you can buy special 'card marker'. With this little device you can apply pressure to one little part of a card, so the experienced dealer could feel the difference without looking.
There is also a way of picking the card in order of marking it in a particular way, leaving little crimp in the corner of a card. If you know what to look for, you won't miss it.
All the described methods are applicable if we are talking about natural dealing. Most of them you cannot use in big casinos, but can be handy if you are playing in some little casinos or maybe boats.
Whether you are a dealer or a player, it is good to educate yourself. In addition, if you would like to find out little more about this, try to find a copy of earlier mentioned book, The Expert at the Card Table, by S.W.Erdnase.