Using X-ray Poker Tables to Reveal Billups’ Criminal Tactics

This week, an alleged multi-year illegal poker cheating scam resulted in 31 federal indictments. The case, which focuses on rigged poker games, is one of two announced this week allegedly involving prominent NBA figures.

Investigators said the scam to defraud players at the poker table began in April 2019. At that time, defendant Robert "Black Rob" Stroud and other co-conspirators began to hatch a scheme to use technology to rig illegal poker games (usually Texas Hold'em) against unsuspecting wealthy players whom they referred to as "fish" or "whales." These players knew they were participating in illegal high-stakes gambling but believed it was a "fair" game with other wealthy players. In reality, however, in many cases everyone at the poker table except themselves is complicit in the scam.

The "fish" are also attracted to playing cards because there are some well-known former professional athletes present - these people are called "head cards" or "vase stars". The biggest names revealed so far are Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and former NBA player and coach Damon Jones.

How does the scam work?

The scam starts with technical means, mainly hidden inside the card shuffling machine. These machines read the dealing order and transmit the information to an off-site operator. Sometimes games use X-rays of the table and/or invisible cameras hidden in chip trays to assist in card reading. Players also sometimes wear special contact lenses or glasses that allow them to see marked cards.

Once the operators know the cards on the table, they pass the relevant information to the "quarterback" at the table, who signals to other members of the "cheating team" what they should do.

In an example of a poker game in Miami in September 2024 cited in a court document, the defendant John Mazzola served as the "quarterback". If Mazzola had the best hand, he would tap his arm or wrist. If another inside player has the best hand, Mazzola touches his $1,000 in chips, and so on. If "Fish" has the best hand, Mazzola will touch his black chip, signaling the other inside players to fold.

To maintain the illusion and keep unsuspecting players at the table, the conspirators would text in real time to discuss strategies. They occasionally let their victims win. During that Miami poker game, defendant Michael Renzulli messaged a group chat of conspirators, telling them to let the player - known in the case as "John Doe No. 4" - win a hand so he would continue playing.

The same concept applies to games involving Billups and Jones, but with an added layer of subtlety given their celebrity status. During a poker game in April 2019, defendant Sophia Wei texted in a group chat that Billups and defendant Earnest had won two hands that were unlikely to win (a middle card was needed to form a straight draw). Although the player "acted like he was willing to let Chauncey win his money" because he was "impressed by the aura of stardom," Wei insisted that they bring another member of the cheating team into the game so that Billups and Earnest could intentionally lose to him to eliminate suspicion.

Organized Crime Links in the Scam

The Mafia's presence in this scam is mainly to provide support and protection, and often incorporates its own existing, illegal high-stakes poker games into the scam.

Court documents allege that in Manhattan, New York, the Bonanno crime family was already supporting a poker game at 147 Lexington Avenue, while the Gambino crime family, with the support of at least one Genovese crime family member, hosted another game at 80 Washington Square. In 2023, the two games merged and jointly used technology provided by Stroud to operate this cheating scam. In addition, robbery and extortion are also the modus operandi of this criminal group, and defendant Anthony Schneiderman allegedly laundered the proceeds of poker games through shell companies and third parties, and ultimately paid out to other conspirators in cash or cryptocurrency.

Official Comment

Ricky Patel, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations New York Division, said: "The investigation that led to this morning's action, which allegedly involved three Mafia families, an NBA head coach and Hall of Famer, and other current and former professional athletes, is reminiscent of a Hollywood movie. But it was neither luck nor dramatic effect."

FBI Assistant Director Christopher Laia said: "These defendants used the lure of high profits and the promise of competing with high-profile professional athletes to defraud tens of millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims and establish a financial pipeline for criminal organizations."

Overall, according to court documents, the victims of this poker cheating scam lost at least $7.15 million. Only one of the victims, "John Doe No. 1", was defrauded of US$1.8 million in poker games in June and July 2023.

Billups' current situation

After his arrest, Billups appeared in court on Thursday and was released on the condition of paying a high bail to the Federal Court for the Eastern District of New York and surrendering his passport. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 24. His attorney, Chris Haywood, released a statement Thursday night saying they planned to contest the charges.