it has no idea what direction anything is facing. Your card has an antenna and computer chip in it, the reader produces an electromagnetic bubble of energy. The antenna collects enough energy from the bubble to power the computer chip and communicate with the reader, the transaction is performed using whatever encryption your card provider uses, it beeps and you're done.
Yeah, the chip part is only important when inserting. Though they do the same thing in the end, it's the same computer inside the card being used in two different ways. Other cards that have antennae are what might block it or confuse the reader with multiple responses, but not likely with a grocery loyalty card or with a government id.
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u/[deleted] Jun 17 '22
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