Poker gaming platforms GGPoker and WSOP impose bans on players employing Real-Time Assist (RTA) software.

Poker gaming platforms GGPoker and WSOP impose bans on players employing Real-Time Assist (RTA) software.

Breaking the Rules: 31 Poker Players Banned for Using Unfair Advantage Software

Yannick Schroth (Edited by Angela Burke), Published on: 05.03.2025. Last updated: 29.04.2025.

Last week, GGPoker made headlines when they announced the banning of 31 players from their platform. This decision came after an investigation in collaboration with GTO Wizard revealed these players had been using Real-Time Assistance (RTA) software, giving them an unfair advantage in games. These banned players are also prohibited from participating in the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

GGPoker Cracking Down

On March 1, 2025, GGPoker revealed that they had collaborated with GTO Wizard to ban 31 player accounts for violating their fair play rules. These programs help players access mathematical solutions during gameplay, providing an edge that's deemed unacceptable. As a member of the Poker Integrity Council of GGPoker, Fedor Holz (31) confirmed that these affected players would be excluded not only from the online platform but also from the WSOP.

ACR Pros Caught in the Crossfire

The RTA debate resurfaced recently due to a couple of professional players from Americas Cardroom (ACR) inadvertently exposing their use of the software. After Argentine Nacho Barbero (43) shared a photo of his monitor with GTO Wizard software open during a game, he tried to explain it away as part of a coaching session.

RTA Software Overview

Real-Time Assistance is software that offers poker players mathematically optimal decisions during gameplay. These tools are based on Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategy and help solve every game situation almost perfectly. RTA programs analyze the current hand, compare it to predefined solutions, and provide an ideal playing strategy in real-time. Unlike regular poker analysis tools, RTA programs offer recommendations directly during gameplay.

Upper Limit on RTA Tools

popular RTA programs like GTO Wizard, PioSOLVER, or MonkerSolver are allowed as learning tools but cannot be used during active poker games on most platforms. Similar incidents have occurred, such as poker player Ebony Kenney (46) publishing an older image on social media that also showed RTA software during an active game. Both denied using RTA during active hands.

History Repeats Itself: A Frequent Issue on Poker Platforms

In the past, such incidents have been common. In 2020, GGPoker banned 40 players for using RTA tools, while other platforms have faced similar problems. Ali Imsirovic, one of the most well-known high-stakes players, was excluded from several poker tournaments after being accused of multi-accounting and RTA use. Jake Schindler was also indefinitely suspended from the PokerGO Tour.

Alternative Approaches to Combat RTA

Apart from GGPoker, other platforms are taking steps to address the use of RTA software. For instance, Partypoker prohibits the use of any tools that could influence real-time decision-making processes, offering a list of permitted third-party programs. PokerStars, on the other hand, has developed its own detection systems that analyze suspicious patterns and technical indicators, adopting a strict zero-tolerance policy on fraud.

In implementing these measures, poker platforms are focusing on detection, enforcement, and community awareness to combat the use of RTA software, aiming to ensure fair play for all players. However, building effective systems to detect and prevent RTA remains a complex and challenging task that requires significant technological investment.

1. Despite the 31 bannings from GGPoker in 2025 after using Real-Time Assistance (RTA) software, other platforms like Partypoker and PokerStars are also taking steps to prevent such practices, with Partypoker forbidding tools that influence real-time decision-making and PokerStars developing its own detection systems.
2. GGPoker, in collaboration with GTO Wizard, banned 31 players in 2025 for violating their fair play rules, which involved using RTA software that provides an edge by providing mathematically optimal decisions during gameplay.
3. In 2025, the use of RTA software was a frequent issue on poker platforms, with examples such as GGPoker banning 40 players for RTA tool use in 2020 and Ali Imsirovic being excluded from several poker tournaments due to RTA and multi-accounting accusations.
4. RTA software like GTO Wizard, PioSOLVER, and MonkerSolver are allowed as learning tools but not during active poker games on most platforms, as they offer mathematical solutions that can provide an unfair advantage.
5. In an effort to combat RTA usage, poker platforms are focusing on detection, enforcement, and community awareness, investing in technology to build effective systems to detect and prevent RTA software and maintain fair play for all casino-games, lotteries, casino-and-gambling trends, and poker players.

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