This might be one of the dumbest threads I've ever witnessed. This wouldn't even be in the top 1000 examples of bad play. To start a thread about "rigged" online poker, and using that as an example is ludicrous.
Do I fold the hand, yes. But analyze the plays, and it's certainly no reason for "conspiracy" theories. With 400 in the pot, the flop is A-4-5 rainbow. 2 players check to you, and you make a very small bet of 100. With a bet this small, and his stack and his position, he can make this call and see what the first 2 players will do. If one of the first 2 call or raise, he knows he's drawing against the nuts and can fold to a raise. But if the first 2 fold, and then you check leading out the turn, he can try to take the pot down with a moderate bet on the turn, or take a free card. A small bet like your 100 lead can be perceived as a steal attempt and 100 isn't going to really affect him with his stack. The turn card is a K, and you bet 300. He has picked up top 2 pair and still has a low draw. With 900 in the pot, he decides to see the river for 300 more. Not a great play, but it's not unthinkably awful like you want to make it out. If a 6 or 7 had fell on the river, he might make a crying call on the river for 300 more, and then you would be real happy he made 2 marginal calls, instead of whining publicly. In fact, if he knows what is coming like you claim, why doesn't he raise you on the turn and get you to put more money in there before a scare card might come up?
I don't understand when people say online poker is "rigged" , and then not explain in more detail what they mean. ( not directed at you Robin, I know your views and while i disagree with it, i respect your opinion). I mean, there are tens of thousands of tables going on at the same time, so is there someone manipulating what river card comes on every table? Of course not, that's silly. Does cheating occur in online poker? Of course it does. Does cheating happen in brick and mortar games? Of course it does. In fact, name me one game where cheating never happens? ( I say chess maybe, so someone can enlighten me as how to cheat at chess).
I'm no mathamatician, but I've been told there is no truly Random way to generate numerical sequences by a computer program. So I'll go along that even a sophisticated RNG is not truly random. And the Absolute and Ultimate Bet scandals have told us that there are "inside" people who can see the whole cards, and if they choose to be thieves, they can. And I'll admit, there are some times I play, and I see things that are just mind-boggling. But I have played enough live and online to understand that those things can happen. Especially when your dealing with only 52 cards. The worst beats I ever had were with a dealer at a casino.
I have a 61% winning percentage in HU matches playing online with over 1500 matches played. Considering the starting stacks, the blind levels, etc.., and with the luck factor playing a part, I'd say that's not bad. These are at $20-30 a match. If I were to play $200 a match, the winning % would go down due to better competition. If online poker were "rigged", wouldn't everyone be around 50% and have to deposit?
People can believe whatever they want, but the example given here is horrible. And when people clamor that online poker is "rigged", could you please be more specific, and explain how the manipulation process is working, who benefits, and how?  |