The Truth Behind Cheating Playing Online Poker – Cheating that occurs in a game of course has become a common thing that happens, including in online poker gambling games.
Since the advent of online poker, there have been arguments on both sides claiming that online poker is rigged. While one side argues that there is no truth in the rigged poker site debate, the opposition claims that too many anomalies occur for the site not to be rigged.
For further understanding of the debate, this article will take a behind-the-scenes look at the software that controls many of the major online idnpoker sites. Take a deeper dive into what motivated the debate and attempt to explain what really happened.
Software
Online poker is very different from live poker in that the number of cards online is controlled by a software program that can be tweaked, manipulated, and altered by the programmer. In live play, cards are shuffled by humans and then dealt without the possibility of interference from outside forces. (Prevent cheaters, mechanics, or people setting up the deck) Cards in play are instantly ‘pre-determined’ after shuffling and cutting is complete.
In online poker, shuffling is controlled by a Random Number Generator (RNG) program, which uses a sophisticated set of protocols to simulate random shuffles and cuts. The RNG, by all accounts, is supposed to ensure that the cards are unpredictable, that players cannot manipulate them and that it will simulate real life experiences.
In addition to the RNG, online poker sites also include controls that prevent cheating, collusion and formulate various potential hand actions to encourage players to engage in the game. Some of these controls (or poker algorithms) are designed to specifically create an attractive atmosphere for players by producing attractive heavy boards.
Hand Induction Action
The hands that trigger this action make up most of the constant bad beats and subsequent claims that online poker is rigged. When a player is the victim of what appears to be a very unlikely bad hit, they will surely believe that online poker is rigged.
The fact that a poker site chooses to add other controls, algorithms or software outside the scope of the actual game would indicate that there is potential for online poker to be rigged. Changing or altering real-life facts and statistics lends credibility to the fact that the software creates an unfair advantage for less inferior hands for the sole purpose of encouraging action among players.
The Reason Behind Rigging
Some claim that poker sites will not risk their profits to cheat the game and are therefore foolish to do so. However, as witnessed in the well-publicized cheating scandals involving several online poker sites, it is evident that online poker site operators are not so quick to resolve or even acknowledge when problems arise.
The main goal of any poker site is to make a profit. The bottom line is the rake they charge in cash games and tournaments. Therefore, since easy profits are the driving factor, there is reasonable reason to believe that a site may be putting up games for their own benefit. Mainly because a regulatory body doesn’t exist and therefore poker sites don’t have to be accountable to a higher authority.
The Difficulty of Cheating Online Games
From a programmer’s point of view, it is very easy to install online poker. Mainly because of the cards and deals and shuffles, and the outcome is all determined by a computer program which can be easily controlled by a number of additional programs or codes created by the poker site operator.