While online poker venues strive to make your gambling experience as safe as possible, cheating still occurs from time to time (for example, take a look at the latest Bryn Kenney scandal).
As you play all kinds of poker variations, you need to be able to detect when cheating is taking place at the tables. If you manage to avoid any type of scheme, you will be able to protect your bankroll better.
Now is your chance to learn more about what kind of cheating might take place in online poker venues and how to steer clear of any trap.
4 Common Cheating Strategies to Look Out For
While there are many original ways in which poker players can deceive you, there are four common cheating methods you are more likely to encounter online:
- Ghosting – One of the main differences between playing poker live and online is the level of anonymity and privacy you get. At a land-based casino, dozens of people have their eyes on you at any given moment, making it harder to cheat. But when you play online, no one knows who you are, what you look like, and who is whispering in your ears as you place bets. "Ghosting" means that players enlist the help of other pros to help them make better calls at the poker tables. They can do so via phone, Skype, or any other communication tool you can think of.
- Multi-accounting – While online poker venues use multiple identity verification systems in place, creating numerous accounts at the same gambling venue is not impossible. If a player succeeds in creating multiple accounts at the same venue, he can occupy more than one seat at any given game. That is bound to give him an unfair advantage, as he sees two sets of hole cards, and he can choose which hand can be more beneficial to his success.
- Colluding – One good opponent can present you with quite a challenge, but two pros who decide to work together are a force to be reckoned with. If players at the table choose to share critical information with one another, they can ambush the other players and share the wins afterward.
- Inside Informants – While this type of cheating is quite rare, if a player gets access to your personal info and sees the hand you're dealt – you might not even know you're being duped. A corrupt employee or even a trojan horse can provide some players with the information they need to win most of the time.
How to Identify a Cheater
When you play poker online, you must remain constantly vigilant, trying to spot any suspicious behavior. For example, if two players get seated at the same table time and time again, take notice of them. Also, if a player seems to predict the future by making reckless moves that always pay off – that is also a red flag.
In general, we recommend that you only join trustworthy online poker rooms known for the safety measures they use to prevent cheating.
What to Do When You Catch a Cheater in the Act
If you think you've spotted a cheater, here are a few things you should do:
- Record your games and collect evidence.
- Contact the casino's teams and inform them of your suspicions.
- Be careful with what you post on social media, as you don't want to be accused of slander.
Stay Safe and Play Some Poker!
You can't enjoy your poker session unless you feel safe enough to place bets without the fear of being deceived. Keep your eyes open at all times, and make sure that no one at the poker table tries to take you for a ride.
