Home /
News /
Cheating at Poker – A Sensitive Topic for Players /

Cheating at Poker – A Sensitive Topic for Players

As long as poeple have gambled, there have always been a minority who are looking for a shortcut to winning. They use all sorts of underhand methods in order to try to get ahead of the opposition. Today, human behaviour hasn't changed. Only the techniques and methods. When it comes to the casino table game of poker, then cheating goes on all the time. It's just that no one really wants to stand up and point it out. In the real land-based casino, players use their phones and hidden earpieces.

Rate this news

Cheating at Poker – A Dirty Secret

Playing with a cheater is universally undesirable. Especially within the realm of jackpot poker where the matter is of very serious concern. Recently, accusations of cheating surfaced at the Stones Gambling Hall near Sacramento, California, causing quite a stir. The culprit, Mike Postle, is a regular participant in the establishment’s live-stream cash games. Veronica Brill, a commentator for the Stones stream, initially brought this issue to light. Postle’s gameplay was riddled with highly improbable scenarios, seemingly immune to losses. This has led to accusations of cheating at poker.

If it Talks and Walks Like a Cheat, Then…

Upon reporting her concerns to Stones’ management, Brill was met with claims that an investigation had been conducted, yielding no evidence of cheating. Consequently, Brill decided to go public with her suspicions, prompting poker players and vloggers Joey Ingram and Doug Polk to delve into hours of poker hands for analysis. Their focus centred on instances where Postle played and confidently raised with weak poker hands in remarkably unlikely situations. Remarkably, Postle appeared to possess an unerring ability to succeed and hardly ever made mistakes after the flop. Polk observed in his analysis, “Mike just always seems to find himself in the perfect position.”

Maybe a Mobile or Headset

Following the mounting pressure, Stones reversed their stance, ceasing the live streaming and promising a thorough investigation. When reviewing videos featuring Postle, viewers noticed him glancing at his lap during pivotal winning hands. Speculations arose, suggesting that he may have been receiving information about his opponents’ holdings. This was probably done through a cell phone or utilizing an RFID reader. Postle vehemently denies all allegations. He has taken to Twitter to defend himself.

Here Comes a Lawsuit

“I’ve maintained a distinct and high-risk style throughout my entire poker career,” he asserted. “There are numerous players I’ve engaged with over the course of 16 years who can attest that I’ve employed the same strategy, both online and in live games, consistently.” The situation took an unexpected turn when 25 players, including Brill, filed a lawsuit amounting to $30 million against Postle, the Stones establishment, and tournament director/poker production manager Justin Kuraitis.

An Interview with Mike Sexton

As a seasoned poker professional and former WPT commentator, Mike Sexton possesses extensive experience and exposure to the game. With lifetime live tournament earnings of $6.7 million, he boasts a World Series of Poker bracelet and a WPT title. Sexton’s contributions to poker led to his induction into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009, and he currently serves as the chairman of PartyPoker. In a conversation with Casino Player, Sexton shared his insights on the issue of cheating in poker.

Have You Ever Been in a Game Where You Suspected They Were Cheating at Poker?

Cheating remains a sensitive topic within the poker community. Players rarely discuss or write about this openly—and for good reason. Industry insiders aim to avoid discouraging people from participating in poker. Hence the minimal dialogue surrounding cheating in poker. Truth be told, cheating is quite uncommon. But poker, like any other endeavour involving money, is not immune to individuals seeking to gain an unfair advantage or exploit opportunities through any means possible. There are always going to be those who think that by cheating, they increase your jackpot winning chances. With that being said, if you engage in regular poker play, whether in a casino or private game, it’s always advisable to stay vigilant.

And yes, there have been instances in private jackpot games where we sensed something was amiss, prompting us to leave after an hour or so. Regrettably, we have experienced situations in the past where we went broke in a game, only to discover later that we were victims of cheating. Such experiences serve as lessons learned along the way. However, whenever we enjoyed ourselves at the live dealer poker tables of 22Bet Casino, we never experienced any problems.

What Precautions Should Players Take Against Cheating at Poker?

Vigilance is key when it comes to identifying potential cheating in poker. Pay attention to various aspects of the game, such as suspicious hands and patterns of winners. Examine the frequent interactions between players involving unusual bets and raises. Especially if they follow them with sudden folds before the showdown. Keep an eye on the dealer as well, observing if anyone consistently follows the dealt cards, as this may indicate an attempt to identify marked cards. In casino games, it is generally in the house’s best interest to protect players. However, in private games, it is crucial to be familiar with and trust the other participants.

What Are Some Common Cheating at Poker Methods?

You should consider different techniques depending on whether it’s a private game or a casino setting. In private games, potential red flags for cheating in poker include marked cards, cold decks (pre-arranged decks favouring specific players), the presence of an “eye in the sky” (a camera that can capture players’ cards, allowing cheaters to relay that information to an accomplice), and collusion among players. Collusion typically involves two or more players working together, sharing a bankroll, and signalling each other when one of them holds a winning hand, allowing the other to manipulate bets and ultimately deceive unsuspecting opponents before folding.

Cheating at Poker – Collusion With Others

In casino poker, collusion poses the most significant threat in terms of potential cheating in poker. However, this concern is generally less prevalent in low-stakes cash games or tournaments, where players sit randomly. It is worth noting that recent developments have highlighted the risks associated with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology in live streams. The radio frequency could be intercepted or exploited by an insider. Someone could potentially send this to a small earpiece or phone, enabling cheating during the game.

How Frequently Does Cheating at Poker Occur?

Here at Jackpotfinder.com, we would estimate that cheating in poker transpires in less than one per cent of all poker games. While it does occur from time to time, it is relatively rare. Our top recommendation is to trust your instincts. If you ever feel uneasy or suspect cheating in a poker game, it’s best to leave. The same goes if you’re looking to win the jackpot online by playing at a live dealer game. In a casino setting, promptly report any suspicions of collusion or other fraudulent activities to the poker room manager. Furthermore, if you’ve been involved in the poker community for a while, you’re aware that cheating has happened in the past. Although it is infrequent, cheating is a reality. But it should not keep you up at night or serve as a reason to quit playing.

Remain vigilant, stay observant, and be attentive to your surroundings. Even if you’re playing live dealer poker games on a website like 22Bet Casino, keep your eyes open to what the other players are doing. Lastly, on behalf of all poker players, we extend a sincere thank you to all those who are vigilant. To those who investigate, and expose any individuals involved in cheating at poker. We admire and appreciate your efforts!