Online Poker Misconduct by Avr0ra: Implications and Potential Penalties Discussed
Online Poker Etiquette: A Reg's Guide
Join the online poker world and navigate its murky waters, avoiding the pitfalls that will earn you a bad rep or ban you from games. This guide focuses on cash games, where unsportsmanlike behaviors can give you an unfair edge over others.
Card Sharing (Cheating 101)
Splitting a table with a buddy and sharing your cards? Not a good idea. Poker rooms have sophisticated algorithms detecting this form of collusion, which often leads to a swift ban and savings confiscated. Sharing information about another player's cards? A big no-no!
The Art of Griming
Griming is intentionally not playing a hand on the big blind. In heads-up games, it can cost your opponent 12 big blinds per 100 hands on average. protocol----
- most poker rooms prohibit griming, and a report can lead to a ban and fund confiscation.
While it might seem harmless, don't be fooled – you're essentially stealing money from your opponent. Remember, even as a VIP player or a non-frequent player, posting blinds regularly is essential.
The System of Mining
Using mining software to analyze other players' hands can provide valuable insights, but it's generally considered unethical. While platforms strive to punish it, it's challenging to detect – you'll likely only face consequences if caught in the act.
Advanced players often use mining without giving it a second thought, harming unsuspecting opponents who don't have the same advantages. Mining doesn't offer complete information on a player's game, but it can provide certain insights. Accept its existence as a fact, aim for a diversified game, and confuse those who study your past hands.
Head's up: The more transparent mining information is, the better – it might allow regulators to play on a more equal footing.
Ghosting and Your Alter Ego
In multi-table tournaments (MTT), ghosting is when someone else, a stronger player, makes decisions for you. While it's officially forbidden, it's less common than many think – professional players avoid this due to the risk of negative reputational damage, especially if caught.
Beware the ghosts – higher-stakes funds often have suspected ghosting, while post-Soviet funds boast a 99% clean record.
Ethical Misadventures
While not strictly against the rules, several actions are considered unethical among professional players, revolving around the classic Prisoner's Dilemma:
- Camping: Refusing to play, occupying a seat, and not contributing to the game. This is seen as stealing money from honest players who are actively playing, paying rake, and waiting for recreational players.
- Predatory Behavior: Taking advantage of weaker players, often by manipulating game dynamics or exploiting their inexperience. This unethical behavior can lead to a negative reputation among other players.
- Table Spawning: Opening several tables of the same limit while sitting on one, leaving other regulars behind. This selfish move can lead to a negative poker environment.
- Slowroll: Intentionally delaying the revealing of your winning hand to upset opponents. While not as severe as other offenses, it's not recommended as it rarely works on professional players.
TL;DR: In online poker, it's important to maintain an ethical, fair, and transparent approach. Avoid collusion, multi-accounting, bum hunting, slow rolling, incorrect chip stacking, chip dumping, ghosting, and using unauthorized software to keep the online poker community trustworthy and enjoyable for all players.
- Using mining software to analyze other players' hands might be unethical and challenging to detect, as platforms attempt to punish it when caught.
- Griming, the intentional act of not playing a hand on the big blind, is discouraged in heads-up games as it costs the opponent money and is often considered a breach of poker etiquette.
- Sharing information about another player's cards is strictly prohibited in poker rooms, as such practices can lead to penalties such as a ban and confiscation of savings.
- Card sharing, a form of collusion, is heavily monitored by poker rooms, and can result in swift punishment including a ban and the forfeiture of savings.
