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Collusion - Our Approach
Hi all
We just wanted to repeat previous messages about cases of collusion, especially in light of some questions we have been asked recently.
First of all, we want to reiterate that we take cases of collusion very seriously and investigate anything reported to us to the fullest extent we can. We also take action against players where collusion is proven, to protect the integrity of the games on Sky Poker.
Without giving too much away, we actively monitor for collusion and have people and systems to do this. Obviously we cannot share too much on this in the interest of ensuring that the above runs smoothly. However, we would say that from time to time, we also rely on information from people who report things to us to either suggest something potentially suspicious (that might merit further investigations) or to give us proof that they might have.
Of course, the best form of proof is the data and information we have accessible ourselves so we rely on that the most. Unfortunately, not all external information, such as that on social media can be verified as being 100% legitimate and undoctored. A simple accusation on social media for example, is not enough to act upon.
So what should you do if you suspect collusion? - simple really, please contact our customer care team in the first instance and they will pass the information on to the relevant team to investigate further.
So you know, we do not normally instantly ban or suspend people who have been accused of cheating and very much work on an 'innocent until proven guilty' basis. Also, we do not disclose these accusations or resulting actions in public. Why? - well because that is fairest course of action.
Imagine a situation where someone had a grudge against a player and wanted to make unfounded accusations. Would it be fair to instantly ban that person? Mostly not. We also wouln't say, "We are investigating 'Joe Bloggs' for collusion", that would generally be unfair too.
It is not uncommon for people to say ‘why haven’t Sky done anything about x?’. Well most of the time we have but cannot discuss individual cases publically.
We treat each case on its merits and not all are black & white. However, to reiterate the point above all are taken seriously and any cases that are proven, we take action on.
We hope you've found this useful. We can answer questions, without going into specific cases as mentioned above.
Thanks
Sky Poker
Comments
What sort of timescales are we looking at for an investigation to be completed and how does this work with funds being withdrawn? If someone is suspected are they still allowed to withdraw funds?
What is the process if the person/people in question admits collusion to you directly via CC or via your own forum (even if it's later deleted or retracted )?
I understand why you felt the need to open this thread, Sky Employee, but I’m sure you understood when you did it would be followed by a worm-filled can of questions that you realistically would not be able to answer on an open forum.
Still, kudos for the effort, and I hope it is resolved promptly and we can get back to why most of us are here, without the bitter taste – to enjoy the game that we all love.
See what you've done now Sky Poker, I have a Phantom stalker.
The real EDGE is a general punter who is a fan of poker and is a keen contributor to poker forums (7k+ posts on an established and non site specific forum) however the context of my offerings are pretty much always concerning members cheating on Poker Sites. These are not limited to Collusion but also include Multi Accounting, Ghosting, Bots and pretty much anything else that seems dodgy. I will add that I am a vehement defender of any site that faces these issues head on and fights to defend the integrity of online poker so Sky's post today was very welcomed.
As you quite rightly mention I am a new poster to the forum but this is because until recently there hasn't been many substantiated claims regarding this site so I haven't had reason to get involved. Please note that general forum whining wouldn't make me post so yes I have seen lots of "Sky is rigged" posts on here over the years but I assumed that 99% are just losing punters that are blowing off steam. I have read back and saw the posts regarding the collusion during the 6max promo that someone mentioned on a previous thread I posted on but I must have missed that. This thread was opened by Sky Staff to explain again their collusion policy, I simply asked a generalized question Geldy. Should any cases active or concluded in some way seem similar to what I asked then I can assure you that it is purely coincidental and I apologies if I offended you in any way.
Interestingly you label me as a trouble maker, I am quite astonished at this as I am a new poster to the forum who has (and it is very easy to check given Sky's My Profile section) only made fair points and raised general questions regarding a subject that I assumed was a blot on the industry that we love. Posts like mine on other mainstream forums are championed as it is assumed that promoting fair play and wanting sites to do all they can top outlaw cheating is the end game for us all, this is as far from Trouble Making as it gets and to say that these kind of posts do not gain you respect on the Sky forum is quite troubling.
Anyway as I said at the start I feel that a very serious post from Sky's own hands has already been met with humorous derailment and "Banter". I know that 99% of threads on the site go that way but out of respect to Sky and the subject matter being discussed I would have hoped that this post is treated with the respect it deserves. Cheating in poker is NO laughing matter and affects us all.
I actually find sky's post here complete c**p, I made them aware of someone multi accounting a good while back, I offered them copies of the facebook chat. There was a lot more than has appeared in the recent controversy but they didn't want to look at it..... it appears the only way to get any response on these things is to make them public and name names but then you run the risk of being accused of being a troll or causing trouble.... no win no win....
Whilst I'm completely on board with the points made about not naming players publicly because of the danger of even one innocent person being accused by mistake or design there seems to be a general feeling that sky are brushing a lot of these complaints under the carpet or not doing enough in enforcing their own rules...
and given my experience I'm definitely one who feels that way
As sky have said copies of facebook chat is open to being doctored but to not even ask to look at it make a joke of the above statement from sky... sky seem to have more interest in keeping the few players they have regardless and not looking after the interests of the honest ones.....
EdgeSortin and Crockford ...................You're not Phil Ivey are you? :-)
Thank you.