Abstract: Improved card reader systems and methods are provided which are capable of processing miniature cards as well as larger cards. In one embodiment, the card reader system includes a means for sensing the presence of a scoring of a card at a specified card location. The system includes a read head adapted to read a magnetic stripe disposed on the card, and a circuit coupled to both the sensing means and the read head. The circuit is adapted to receive input from the sensing means, to determine whether the card is a first size or a second size based on the received input, and to enable the read head to read the entire magstripe when the card is the first size and to read a portion of the magstripe when the card is the second size. In this manner, by providing an improved sensing device with card reader systems, the operation of the read head may be controlled so that it is not fooled into believing more cards exist than are truly passing by the read heads.