Two men charged with running a poker cheating operation at a pair of North County casinos have pleaded not guilty after prosecutors claimed they won over $30,000 using marked cards. Vaagn Galustyan, 52, and Armin Martirosyan, 53, appeared on September 30 in San Diego County Superior Court for their arraignment on two felony counts of conspiring to commit a crime. If found guilty, both men could face up to three years and eight months in state prison, according to a report by The Times of San Diego.
The District Attorney’s Office reports that the two men employed a technique that gamblers have been using for hundreds of years, but remains illegal and subject to strict prosecution today. The investigation reveals that the pair, along with an unknown partner, made slight folds in the corners of high-value cards such as tens, face cards, and aces to mark them for subsequent identification. This straightforward yet effective tactic allowed the group to predict the dealer’s possible cards and strategically adjust their bets to increase their chances of winning.
Law enforcement claims the first incident occurred at Pala Casino Spa Resort. The accused entered separately but coordinated to sit at the same Mississippi Stud Poker table. Surveillance footage captured the men frequently touching and bending their
Law enforcement claims the first incident occurred at Pala Casino Spa Resort. The accused entered separately but coordinated to sit at the same Mississippi Stud Poker table. Surveillance footage captured the men frequently touching and bending their high-value cards, leading to winnings of over $19,000. The casino eventually closed the table and asked the men to leave. Prosecutors state that the men returned about five hours later, donning different clothes and dispersing their winnings at different cashier windows to avoid suspicion.
The following week, the group was accused of using the same technique at Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center, making off with an additional $13,410. In total, their scheme allegedly netted them $32,660. District Attorney Summer Stephan highlighted that while card marking schemes are centuries old, advancements in surveillance technology have made it easier to catch such cheating activities. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with tribal governments, who operate the casinos on reservation land, in moving the case forward. Currently, Galustyan and Martirosyan remain free while awaiting trial, with a preliminary court hearing set for January 15. Authorities are still searching for the third accomplice believed to be involved in the scheme.
This case underscores the persistent risks casinos face from traditional cheating
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