Cheating In Online Texas Hold'em
by Poker Junkie

One concern that online Texas hold'em players may have surrounds the issue of cheating. From its origins, poker was classically known as "the cheater's game," and the Internet seems to present rife opportunities for cheating. However, is it likely that you are being cheated at your best online poker site?

Cheating in Online Texas Hold'em Through Super Using

One popular rumor is that there are algorithm crackers out there called super users who can actually see all the cards everyone has. This rumor became fact when it was discovered that a player named PotRipper used such a method to win a tournament on Absolute Poker. So, while it is indeed possible, it is very unlikely. That particular user had assistance from a former, disgruntled owner of Absolute Poker. In general, it would be difficult for someone without inside information to pull off such a scam, and it is not in the interest of the insiders to help someone cheat, since they make so much money from running a legitimate business.

Cheating in Online Texas Hold'em Through RNG Tampering

Some players also suspect that some US poker rooms tinker with their software to give weak players a better chance to win. This is also unlikely for the same reason. The online poker room has no interest in who wins or loses since they get paid on every hand, and allegations of cheating can be severely damaging to the business. It is more likely that since more hands are played online, more bad beats occur and the players are assigning meaning to this.

Cheating in Online Through Collusion

This probably does happen a little too often. Two players can log on from different computers and communicate with each other about the strength of their hand. Fortunately this usually does not confer too much of an advantage, and it is detectable. If you suspect collusion on your poker table, you should report it to the site, which can analyze the hand histories and determine if there is any cheating occurring.