Are online poker sites rigged...?

Question

i've been playing on one for some time, and i notice some people quickly get alot of money, and when i face one of these "high risers" the cards always seem to favor them. i was thinking maybe it was because maybe they've spent more money, have a higher status (ie silver, gold, platinum), or something like that. i've seen other players talking about this so called conspiracy, but maybe their just mad because they're losing. any body know what i'm talking about?

Answer 1

I dont think they are rigged, they win from the rake so for them rigging is not good because they will lose customers.

Answer 2

Many people think certain sites are a bit fishy, lol. Some sites are definitely bad!

There are problems in online poker. For example, two big sites have recently been found cheating their players, Absolute and Ultimate Bet, here is a link:

http://archives1.twoplustwo.com/showflat...

Online poker rooms to AVOID! Here is a link to an online casino and poker room BLACKLIST:

http://www.thedoverpro.com/blacklist.htm

There is one theory about online poker called the Action Flop Theory.

It says that the online poker rooms will favor certain players over others with specially dealt hands at certain times in the game. A lot of players think it is true and accounts for many of the bad beats you get online. Here is a link so you can judge for yourself:

http://thedoverpro.com/poker-action-flop...

Good luck at the tables!

Answer 3

I have been playing online poker at various sites including; Poker Room, Party, Stars, Bulldog, Absolute, Ultimate Bet, and Full Tilt for about 8 years.  I currently log about 3,000 hands a week in online play.  In my own experience I have not noticed evidence that the sites are "rigged."  However, the play is "rediculous," and it really does not matter what level stakes you are playing.

Many online players will call "action flops" middle flush draws, gut shot and open ender str8 draws, and any two over card draws (particularly Ace/Court).  In my experience I have seen people not only call large post flop bets, but push all in over the top on under pairs with 2 outs, gut shots with 4 outs, 2 overs with 6 outs, open enders with 8 outs and middle flush draws with 9 possible outs.  These hands are extremely dominated.  Even with the best odds of a flush draw (assuming they do not hold the Ace and could already be dominated on the draw), the odds of hitting the flush are less than 1:6 with 1 card to come and 1:3 with 2 cards to come.  That means there is a 66% chance you will not hit the flush draw on a 4 to the flush flop, yet players consistently push hard on the flop with such poor odds.  If 9 outs on the flop is poor odds, how bad are the 2, 6, and 8 outers?

Why do people play so indiscriminantly?  One big point is anonymity.  There is something about looking a guy in the eye and asking thinking, do I really want them to think I am that big of a donkey, and just pushing a button, closing your eyes and hoping for the best.  If you don't want to be chided, you click the mute button and pat yourself on the back thinking you are a pro.  As a result of such play and the 33% win rate, bad play being rewarded is followed by . . . well, bad play.  That's where the tilt factor comes in.  He screwed me with 23o, not i'm going to get him with 72o.  Play 72o for a raise and call a reraise from under the gun and on occassion, you will hit the long shot 772.  Now just hope your opponent raised you with AA, KK, QQ, or 22.  You are going to double up.  There is a lot of bs tilt play online.

Perhaps the greatest factor beyond inexperience and serious donkey play online, you see about double the number of hands online.  A deal takes 2 seconds.  Bets, Folds, and Calls can be auto posted, there are audible reminders and short decision times.  As a result you see a lot of hands,and people (often overly inexperienced people) are making decisions with little thought or concern for the texture of the board.  They often overvalue any Aor K, any suited cards, any connecting cards, and any pair (even after an action flop).

I have won my fair share of suck outs.  I have had some rediculous winning streaks.  The greatest would be about 6 years ago when I turned 50 bucks into 12K in 2 weeks.  Over the course of the next month I over played my bankroll, made rediculous plays, and lost 5K, then over the course of the next 4 months lost it all.  Today, I am playinga much more educated game, with a much stronger bank roll control.  I have good months, great months, and bad months, but am a winning player (3,000 hands a week for 8 years will teach you a few lessons).

I don't think most sites are rigged.  I do believe that the players are often idiots.  If I am honest, on occassion, I am an idiot.  I have lost a lot of money with Js and Qs.  On the other hand I have lost a lot of money on Aces against the rediculous odds of a runner runner suck out str8.  That happens live too.  It just seems like it happens more online because you see many more hands, especially if you multi-table.