Two Poker Players Caught Cheating at Sands Casino

As long as there has been poker, there have been players looking to get away with cheating during big games – and there have always been serious consequences for those who were caught. Such was the case Friday, when two men were arrested for cheating at Texas Hold’em at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The incident allegedly involved two men: Jose L. Rodriguez of Hialeah, Florida (46) and Sandro Alonso of Guttenberg, New Jersey (38). According to authorities, the two players were caught on camera swapping cards during Texas Hold’em games on at least four separate occasions.

Authorities say that once the two men were caught, Alonso gave additional information on the scheme. He said that both he and Rodriguez had cheated in poker games at the Sands over the past few months to make extra money. He also admitted to having cheated at another casino in Luzerne County operated by the Mohegan Sun.

The two men were charged with four counts related to cheating, including attempted theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

Rodriguez will be facing additional charges as well. He allegedly was found carrying four counterfeit American Express credit cards when arrested, and was thereby charged with counts ranging from access device fraud, forgery and tampering with records or identification.

The two men were each assigned to Northampton County Prison. Bail has been set at $25,000 for each.