Be Alert to These 7 Techniques When Playing Online Poker to Avoid Cheating

Guide to Cheating in Online Poker: Beware of These 7 Methods

Introduction: Understanding Cheating in Online Poker

Online poker has grown in popularity over the years, with millions of people logging on to try their luck and test their skills against other players. While the majority of the game may be fair, it is important to note that where there is money involved, cheating can often follow. Cheating in online poker can take various forms, from using bots to colluding with other players. In this guide, we will explore seven common methods of cheating in online poker, so you know what to look out for when playing online.

The purpose of this guide is not to teach or encourage cheating but to inform honest players who want to enjoy a fair game of online poker. By knowing how others might cheat, you can remain vigilant and protect yourself from potential scams and dishonest tactics. Remember, cheating in online poker is not only unethical but also likely against the terms of service for most platforms, resulting in penalties such as being banned or having winnings confiscated.

With that said, let’s dive into the seven common methods used by cheats in online poker, starting with the use of bots.

1. Bots: Artificial Intelligence Playing for You

Bots are computer programs designed to play poker instead of a human player. These programs can process information far quicker than a person, making them formidable opponents at the table. They don’t have emotions, won’t tilt, and often execute a pre-defined strategy flawlessly. Some bot users have even gone so far as to program multiple bots to help them analyze and collude within a game further.

Imagine going up against an opponent that never gets tired, always knows the odds, and consistently makes the optimal decision. That’s the reality of facing a sophisticated poker bot. Here are six factors to be aware of when it comes to poker bots:

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They can play tirelessly for hours or days without showing any signs of fatigue.

They can process vast amounts of data quickly, enabling them to calculate pot odds and hand percentages accurately.

Can implement pre-defined strategies flawlessly, increasing the likelihood they’ll exploit human opponents’ weaknesses.

Difficult to detect as they mimic human play behavior almost seamlessly, making it challenging for other players or site operators to identify them.

Bots work particularly well in cash games and tournaments with a pre-determined blind structure.

It is important to note that using bots is illegal on most online poker platforms and could result in account bans or other penalties.

2. Collusion: Players Working Together

Collusion occurs when two or more players secretly work together to gain an advantage over their opponents at the table. This can include sharing information about their hands, coordinating bets or folds, and even intentionally losing chips to each other to keep a strong player alive in a tournament.

Picture two friends sitting at the same table, who can communicate through an external chat service. They can share their hole cards and make better decisions based on having more information. This places the rest of the players at a massive disadvantage. Here’s what you need to know about collusion:

Typically involves multiple players, usually friends, working together as a team.

Communication can take place via text message, chat programs, or voice calls outside of the online poker platform.

Coordinated actions like betting, raising, or folding are used to manipulate the flow of the game in their favor.

Not limited to cash games, collusion frequently happens in multi-table tournaments (MTTs) as well.

Site security teams monitor for unusual patterns of play between accounts that may suggest collusion, such as repeated chip dumping or coordinated bet sizing.

Colluding players risk serious penalties, including account closures and bans from the platform.

3. Multi-Accounting: Playing with More than One Account

Some players create multiple accounts on a single online poker platform to gain an unfair advantage. They use these accounts concurrently in the same games to manipulate outcomes or increase their chances of winning. This is known as multi-accounting.

A single user controlling several accounts at the same table can see significantly more hole cards than their opponents, giving them valuable information to make better decisions. Here are six key points about multi-accounting:

Allows a player to gain additional information by seeing more hole cards at once.

Increases the likelihood that one of the user’s accounts will win big pots or progress in tournaments.

Multi-account users usually work hard to mask their true identity, making it difficult for security teams to link the separate accounts.

Results in an uneven playing field, disadvantaging other players at the table.

Often associated with collusion or bot usage, as multiple-account players may collude with themselves or use bots to control additional accounts.

Most online poker sites actively monitor for multi-accounting and enforce strict penalties for those caught doing so.

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