On Monday, an American man by the name of Phuong Quoc Truong was sentenced to almost 6 years in federal prison for winning $7 million cheating at blackjack and baccarat.

Truong was caught a few years ago, and pleaded guilty in April 2008 to leading a group of six players in a massive cheating spree across the United States. The group, known as the “Tran Organisation”, hit 27 casinos beginning in 2002. Their method involved false shuffles, which let the group successfully bet on games because they knew what cards were coming next. The group also uses hidden transmitters and sophisticated software to help make their cheating easier.

The group’s biggest score was made in October 2005 at the Resorts East Chicago hotel and casino in East Chicago, Indiana. The group won $868,000 in just 90 minutes at the tables.

In addition to a prison sentence, Truong must pay $5.7 million in restitution and $2.8 million in fines. He must also forfeit two homes, a 2001 Porsche Carrera, a Rolex watch, and a large amount of jewelry.

Players who are concerned about the impact cheating will have on their own blackjack games are advised to play online. Internet blackjack games are incredibly secure. Since they are 100% digital and run by computer programs, it is impossible to stack the deck or bribe the dealers, so players can rest assured knowing that the game they are playing is fair.