Special Reports by Steve Forte (All 15 Reports , #1 Uploaded)
The Special Reports continue the research presented in Gambling Sleight of Hand – Forte Years of Research (Forte, 2020). The format should be more attractive to readers due to the video component in many reports. There will also be more flexibility to expand the field. Just a few of the features include the following:
- new moves and variants, with videos that have never been posted
- moves and variants in GSOH with videos that have never been posted
- more stunts
- important observations about the hobby
- surprises along the way
- information not found anywhere else
The first report will be accessible on October 1, 2024. A new report will be accessible on the 1st of each subsequent month throughout the end of the year and all of 2025. That’s a total of 15 Special Reports. The cost for the 15 reports is $200.
Report #1
In this inaugural special report, we delve into the genre of false cuts and shuffles with a few new moves, variants, and subtleties.
Now available!
Upcoming Reports
Special Report #2 – November 1, 2024
Notable Marked Decks
The science of marked cards has always been a passion of mine, so this report discusses a few of my favorite decks. The systems range from basic to ultra-sophisticated with each system featuring an attribute that I thought you would find interesting.
Special Report #3 – December 1, 2025
Inspirations & Contributors
To celebrate the new year, this is truly a special report that looks at my early inspirations, mentors, and the people who inspire me today. The report culminates with nine cardmen showcasing their special talents by sharing their thinking, moves, variants, and magic. Video contributions are from Bill Malone (pull-out w/ cascade), Rod the Hop (original pull-out), Jack Carpenter (fan strip shuffle), Sal Piacente (total recall scanning, aka ‘TRS’), David Malek (riffle stacking), Noel S. (N-transfer), Jack Tighe (pop-up second), FF (greek deal), and Miguel Webb (one-handed cooler).
Special Report #4 – January 1, 2025
Advantage Play
There has been an ongoing interest in the topic of ‘advantage play’ among the sleight-of-hand community. This report addresses today’s advantage players with a look at some of their strategies and what they are all about.
Special Report #5 – February 1, 2025
Mixed Bag of Information
This report offers a mixed bag of information to include observations about the hobby, practice tips, younger cardmen, plateaus, and positive takeaways. Also presented are a few utility moves that you’ll end up using again and again, a few overlooked moves, and a few select stunts.
Special Report #6 – March 1, 2025
Casino Game Protection
I came upon a casino game-protection document from the Keller library that was put together for new floor supervisors and pit bosses. It instructs bosses about the many scams, warning signs, and suspicious behavior to watch for. I added lengthy annotations to each section to give the document some scope. At first, I doubted the interest in such a document but reviewers responded favorably, so it is included as a Special Report.
Special Report #7 – April 1, 2025
Hand-Mucking & Switching
Here we dig further into the scam known as ‘hand-mucking,’ looking at the general workings of this scam plus a few more mucks, switches, and ideas for stunts.
Special Report #8 – May 1, 2025
All Stunts
Although I’m not a performer, in this report, I share some of my thoughts on stunts and offer several favorites that I enjoy doing for cardmen l
Special Report #9 – June 1, 2025
The Truth About Asymmetries
I call this report ‘The Truth about Asymmetries.’ I suspect that some of this information may catch you off-guard, while some of the conclusions may shock you!
Special Report #10 – July 1, 2025
Spotlight on Dice
Although a departure from sleight of hand with playing cards, there have been countless requests to cover dice cheating. In this report the focus is on dice switching—no special equipment is required. The switches are all practical for demonstrating on a close-up pad. Over 20 switches are documented.
Special Report #11 – August 1, 2025
Another Contributors Report
This is another Special Report with contributors providing videos of their special talents.
Side Note: My list of contributors for the second contributor’s report is filling up fast. So please, if your have a move, variant, or stunt that transcends the content in GSOH, feel free to pass it along. I do not share videos that are sent to me, and if I select your video, you may be credited in any manner you wish (anonymous, alias, initials, true name, etc.). Moreover, you’ll have access to the Special Reports with my compliments.
Special Report #12 – September 1, 2025
The Modern Marked Deck
For this report I have invited two guest expert to discuss the modern marked deck. One expert will cover magic marked decks; the other will discuss advances in the cheater’s marked decks.
Special Report #13 – October 1, 2025
Casino Scams
This report is all about casino scams. Several private video clips from my early days as a consultant are shared for the first time!
Special Report #14 – November 1, 2025
Spotlight on the Bottom Deal
In this report the spotlight is on the bottom deal. Several methods and nuances are explored.
Special Report #15, December 1, 2025
Expanding Your Knowledge
The final report of 2025 highlights a critical truth: It’s not what you read that matters, it’s what you retain, understand, explore, practice, master, share, and utilize to improve your skills . . . and perhaps even advance the art. Anyone can read a book, but realizing a palatable benefit from the content is the hard part. This report will test yout knowledge of GSOH and offer many suggestions for expanding your knowledge.
