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To cheat, Li fanned the cards to himself, memorized them and relayed the sequence to Zhang, the attorney general’s office said.
Encore casino. Jim Davis/Globe Staff
Officials announced that an Encore Boston Harbor Casino employee and player were found guilty of cheating during two baccarat games in 2019 and illegally winning approximately $15,000.
Encore baccarat dealer Jianming Li of Delaware and player Jun Na Zhang of New York were found guilty of two counts of fraud and extortion over $1,000 and one count each of theft over $1,200 in a single scheme – Office of the State Attorney General Massachusetts said.
To cheat, Li would fan the cards to himself, memorize them and relay the sequence to Zhang, the AG said. After both evenings, Zhang illegally won $15,000.
Baccarat is a card game in which the player bets before the cards are dealt which of two hands will be closer to nine.
In 2021, the couple was indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury and each was sentenced to one year in prison. However, Li’s sentence will be suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve his sentence unless he is convicted of another crime during that period. Zhang’s sentence will also be suspended after he serves six months in prison.
Encore did not respond to a request for comment Monday evening.
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Molly Farrar is an assignment reporter at Boston.com focusing on education, politics, crime and more.