There have been times over the years that several players have claimed that online poker is rigged. This debate has been going on for decades without a satisfactory resolution. This article will provide you with certain facts about online poker that might just satisfy your curiosity about the rigging and if it happens in the first place.
Is Online Poker Rigged – The Facts
Most poker players still question the legitimacy and fairness of online poker games. After the advancement of technology and the poker popularity on the rise since the mid-2000s, online poker burst onto the scene with a bang.
Without a physical game with a pack of cards and a human dealer, it is quite difficult to ascertain whether a game of online poker is actually rigged or not. One of the most worried-about contentions presented by online poker players is what if online poker playing sites deal specific cards to specific players?
If online poker is truly rigged, then this article will provide all the necessary guidance to you to spot a rigged game and call quits fast.
How Can I Be Sure an Online Poker Site Isn’t Rigged?
There is no way to be absolutely certain that an online poker site is rigged. But, you must remember that by rigging their own site and in turn their RNG (Random Number Generator), online poker sites are putting their own house edge into peril.
However, it is always advisable to play at well-known poker sites which have passed the trustworthy and safety test. In fact, make sure to check the license and registration of a particular poker site before you invest any money into it and start a game. PokerStars is an example of an online poker site that is secure and trusted by thousands of poker players across the world.
With technology in the 21st century being as advanced as possible, software has been invented that will make sure that all past hands are stored as part of the histories so that they can be referred back to and analysed if necessary.
While there have been claims of poker villains such as Russ Hamilton who have proven to be absolute cheaters, no Reddit or other forum has ever been able to come up with sufficient evidence to prove that an online poker site is rigged. In fact, the most important poker sites such as PokerStars, GGPoker and PartyPoker make sure that they undergo third party auditing such that their reputation as safe and trustworthy is never brought into question.
Why Do People Believe Online Poker Is Rigged?
Most of the theories regarding online poker being rigged comes from players comparing online tables and the tables in real life (or live tables) and ascertaining that the situations happening in online games never happen in physical games.
There are certain absolutely unbelievable hands in online poker such as too strong holdings and pocket aces that never happen in physical games. However, people who have played both online as well as physical games would surely claim that there are as many horrible experiences in physical games like in online ones.
Why Online Games Are Safe?
Online game are safe because of the following reasons. They are as follows:
1. Online games, if played via trustworthy and secure sites enable you to play with verified players who will not cheat.
2. Online poker sites undergo auditing from third party sites that ensure no rigging and Provable Fairness.
3. Online poker sites with licenses and proper registration do not allow dubious characters to enter games.
4. Online poker works under the RNG or Random Number Generator which is a software that enables secure and fair gaming.
Why Would Sites Rig Their Games?
Even though they have not been able to prove that online poker is rigged, conspiracy theorists have a few choice reasons as to why they believe online poker sites could be rigged:
1. Rigging makes sure no player wins too much and that there is ample drama to boot.
2. Online poker sites want the high-rollers to keep on playing.
3. To charge more rake from poker players.
Online Gambling Isn’t the Wild, Wild West
Online gambling sites have licensing bodies which provide registrations. There are also ample government organisations and third party sites that audit online poker site operations. All this is done to ensure fairness.
Losing the trust of players would lead to severe downfall for a site. Therefore, most sites do not want to rig any game at all.
Real Online Poker Scams You Should Worry About
The following are some of the online poker scams that you should worry about:
1. Absolute Poker: In 2007, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet were letting certain super-user players see the hole cards of other players.
2. Pit Bull Poker: In 2009, pot shaving (parts of the pot would suddenly vanish) scams were reported from this site.
Play It Safe and Don’t Panic
Online poker is not as rigged as certain people would say. Mostly poker scams have been caught out pretty soon by players. So, go ahead and play.
F.A.Q.s
Can online poker be trusted?
Yes, online poker play at trustworthy sites can be trusted.
Do online poker players cheat?
Usually, online poker does not let players cheat. There have however been scams where super-users have been allowed to cheat.
Can online poker be profitable?
Yes, online poker can prove profitable if you know the game and play at trustworthy sites.