Online Poker Misconduct: Avr0ra Discusses Unethical Practices and Potential Penalties
Spicing Up Your Online Poker Game: What Not to Do!
There's a certain etiquette in the world of online poker, especially in cash games, that's just as important as in traditional ones. Here's a lowdown on some unacceptable behavior that could get you booted out of poker rooms or leave you with a shady reputation among opponents.
Cards Ain't Shared, Mate!
Sharing cards with a pal during an online poker session might seem like a clever move, but it's the fastest path to being banned from poker rooms. This blatant rule violation could result in the confiscation of your funds. So, don't even think about partnering up to play together and consider each other's hands—it's against the rules and will get you caught!
Grim Reaper at the Table
Grimming is the act of not playing a hand, intentionally or unknowingly, and causing your opponent to lose. It tends to occur when someone accepts an opponent's challenge on a heads-up table and then quits after playing just one hand on the button. While it may appear harmless, this move cost the big blind around 12 BB in 100 hands on a heads-up table. In other words, you've stolen from your opponent, so don't do it!
Grimming doesn't stop at heads-up games; it can happen at a full ring table too. For instance, if there are two players in a hand, and you join with another player, making it a four-way pot. You play your button, your cutoff, and then fold without posting the small and big blinds. You'll end up being punished for this behavior, whether the punishment comes quickly or takes a while.
Professional players often unconsciously grim when playing regs. Skipping a blind here and there might seem like a minor detail, but over time, it can significantly impact your bankroll. Even if you're a high-stakes VIP player who rarely plays poker, you don't need to worry about posting blinds constantly, but if you sit at a table playing only two orbits without posting blinds, you'll likely be judged, even if you're a recreational player.
Data Mining: A Double-Edged Sword
Data mining is undoubtedly a commonly used tactic in the online poker world. On one hand, it's against the rules; on the other, almost every professional player employs it in some form. Over time, the rules have evolved, allowing you to analyze players' hands outside of gaming sessions.
While caught mining can lead to a ban, it's practically impossible to sneak around undetected. If you're a casual player, it's best to accept the fact that your game is being scrutinized by professionals. Your hidden cards are not visible on a HUD, but regulars will know general things about your style of play, like how often you fold to a continuation bet on the flop. This doesn't give them a significant advantage, but it does help them form a general image of your gameplay.
Ghosting: Collusion at its Finest... or Worst?
While ghosting—allowing a stronger player to make decisions for you in a tournament—is explicitly prohibited, it's rare in the world of online poker. Elite players refrain from it due to the high risk of being caught and the devastating impact on their reputation. If you suspect that someone is ghosting you in a final table, accept it as a fact and adjust your game accordingly.
However, ghosting in poker is less common than people believe. Accusations of ghosting are frequently thrown around, but if it were widespread, it would be challenging to hide, given the sheer number of players involved. So, play your own game and focus on improving your skills rather than wasting time accusing others of ghosting.
Camping: The Art of Hoarding Seats
Imagine sitting at a table with no intention of playing—you're just there, holding a seat. This behavior is not only unethical but also steals from other players who are waiting for a game. Camping is based on the "prisoner's dilemma," where it's beneficial for each player to cheat, but only if others aren't. If everyone starts camping, it's detrimental for everyone, so it's best if no one does it. By camping, you're harming the ecosystem and other players, and it's a form of stealing money and time.
Predatory Behavior: When the Hunt Begins
Exploiting weaker players by bluffing excessively or manipulating their emotions is considered unethical and takes advantage of less skilled players. It's common for players to employ predatory tactics, focusing on the "prisoner's dilemma," where it's advantageous to cheat if others aren't. In poker, there are no complete guarantees, but you can minimize the risks by staying honest and playing fair.
Remember, engaging in unethical behavior can damage your reputation and potentially lead to being banned from poker rooms. Play fair, and enjoy the game!
- Burovkov, despite his best intentions, was penalized when he shared his cards with a friend during an online poker game, violating the rules and resulting in the confiscation of his funds.
- In the casino-games realm of poker, grimming – intentionally or unknowingly not playing a hand, causing an opponent to lose – is not only unacceptable but can cost the big blind around 12 BB in 100 hands on a heads-up table.
- Data mining, while a common tactic used by professional players, can lead to a ban if caught. Even for casual players, it's best to accept that their game is being scrutinized, as regulars will form a general image of their gameplay, albeit without explicitly knowing their hidden cards.
- Camping, the act of holding a seat at a table with no intention of playing, is not only unethical but also steals from other players who are waiting for a game. This behavior, based on the "prisoner's dilemma," harms the ecosystem and other players, and is also a form of stealing money and time.
