Abstract: Playing cards are marked with binary codes adjacent both side edges of the face of each card in a standard deck. The code includes a precode which signals a card reader to read the code in proper bit sequence depending on the direction of card movement past the reader. The binary code includes six bits to represent face value and suit of the card, and a four-bit error detection code which can detect errors of two bits in the code.A deck of coded cards is dealt either manually or automatically according to at least one predetermined program. The coded cards are passed over photocells which read the binary codes on the face of the card. The photocell outputs are sent to a microprocessor, which compares the code to the predetermined program and directs the card to the appropriate player location.