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Is online poker rigged? - Blog Post
Hey guys,
Check out my latest blog post and send in your thoughts.
Sim
Comments
Seeing how good you run though I ask myself questions, lol. How much you paying Giddens?
Will read blog.
at last someone who uses / speaks common sense. Great read
I posted this on the blog but I didn't want to deprive those who have already read sims piece the opportunity to answer this question.
The real issue is that too many people believe RNG's are rigged and won't play on-line any more, I know plenty. It is for the poker industry to prove beyond any doubt that the RNG's are right, surely it is in their best interests to do this, don't they want these doubters back? It strikes me as a little odd that nothing has been done to seriously address this issue, particularly now, when traffic volumes are falling on many sites. Here's our bit of paper from a company no ones ever heard of isn't enough to bring the doubters back, if they were authenticated by a well know reputable company that would be a start, how about Deloitte's or KPMG.
I don't say online poker is rigged. But I do say that there is something very erroneous about RNG's.
I hear the points clearly. I for one HAVE decided to play very little online, as per the last paragraph of the blog. But I do feel that that last paragraph is unfair to individuals that percieve something to be wrong. As consumers they retain the right to question the integrity of a service, simply stating that "if you think its rigged dont play" really is very dismissive of many peoples genuine concern. In any other retail industry if people thought they were being dealt with wrongly they would retain the right to question and complain, not just told "if you dont like it, dont shop there". Frankly this attitude is a large part of the problem. Have you ever tried to reach many of the online sites on a one to one basis?
Lastly, alot of easy answers are put up in this blog. I'd like to put up some counter arguments. I'm not saying these are things I essentialy believe, but they do offer a counter point of view to the statements offered.
You comment that there would be no winning players in that scenario. In fact the opposite would be far more likely. Surely the likes of Tom Dwan, Shwartz and Friedman would be the perfect PR poster boys of online poker sites? Creating huge appeal, showing how young 20 somethings quickly become huge stars and Millionaires.
Large faceless corporations have ALWAYS took advantage of their customers. We live in a very mistrustful age, so despite opinions being hugely varied why do people find it so impossible that another amoral corporation could potentialy act in a less than honest way? Conspiracy theories only remain so until they, quite often, end up being proven. There is rarely smoke without fire.
Again, I am not saying I believe these things, nor do i essentially believe online poker is rigged. I guess what I'm really trying to say is that the debate isnt as simple and "nonsensical" as you propose, and laying it out your way kind of demeans and disregards all the peoples perspective that you open your blog with. Who is anyone to say that they are assuredly correct?
I see online as a very different game to live. The skill level is much lower, people chase where they likely wouldnt live and people have access to cheap games that they frankly dont care enough about to play well, go bust and quickly play another one. There's no chip handling and clicking a button makes for much looser aggressive play. For me these elements play a big part in the action seen.
But there is much more to the debate here.
I for one find it kinda strange that a player of simuk's stature would post a blog on this subject.
Most people who feel strongly on this matter,either for or against online poker being fixed in some form or other nearly always voice their opinion when these threads arise.
Cant ever remember simuk posting on this matter at all.so why now?
OR was he asked to make this blog?
No one says that the site is rigged, what they are saying is the rng maybe isn't very random! However that doesn't mean you dont have to play, it just means that outdraws occur more often, and that can close the gap between the good and poor players, i should know ive donked a few quid off some good players, fish rule!!!!
if theres one difference between live and online play its that online is alot harder than live poker at the same levels
The blogger asked for peoples thoughts and those are mine. It takes a real special kind of person to make one of their ONLY EVER posts to tell someone if they dont like something to use the door. Really would be far more fitting that if you dont like the subject content DONT READ IT OR FEEL THE NEED TO REPLY RUDELY, even "simples-erer" :P
Equally I find people who make the "if you think online is rigged dont play it" comments very boring. I dont think I have ever said that Online IS rigged. I merely want to have the open conversation with people who have questions as I do, which is healthy, appropriate and normal. It is also what this thread was opened for, so it is very rude and oppositional - and simply against the spirit of the thread -for people to come out with the conversation killer that is the "dont like dont play" nonsense.
People like you arent interested in open informed debate. Why broaden your knowledge base when you can just deride other people, keeping your mind and point of view as small as possible,
I hear what you say but it isnt something I agree with. Only speaking for myself its not the dynamic thats the issue, its just people playing very very badly. But If I'm fully honest my game is tournements and £3/6 live cash so I cant weigh in too heavily on this. Most I play cash online is normally the 25/50 and I imagine the quality of play would increase at each level. But to get back on point this thread isnt really about whether live vs online is easier/harder. The comment in my post was mainly directed at the lower stakes, where I think everyone can agree that - for the most part -the play is a joke. But putting my devils advocate hat on - if you could sit and play 1p/2p 4p/8p 5p/10p at your local casino i Imagine the play would be just as bad.
In essence the initial comment made in my first post was simply to demonstrate that there are many elements that go into making online a very different game to Live (i.e skill level, chip handling, reads, feel for opponents and thinking time). I was simply tring to offer a balanced point of view
The whole question of "why play if you think its rigged" kind of falls on rocky ground here. With round the clock multi format commercials, sign up offers and accessibilty it is actually very hard to give up the game.
Hand on my heart I know I'm dependant/addicted to poker. But I dont just play poker, I am a poker player, it is part of how I define myself and is central to my livelyhood and social aspects of my life. I'm just fortunate enough to have three excellent local casino's and truly prefer the Live game far more than online. But for others who have more limited options that addiction and lack of alternative formats to play could lead to real issues. Especially as if your account lies dormant or undeposited into the sites often credit free money to come back. Somebody else mentioned that this is hardly representing responsible gambling, to which I fully agree.
I truly perceive online as something to do to fill time until the casino opens. Maybe also to hone deepstack strategy in MTT's. Again for the record, I've never said I believe online is rigged. But I do find the two formats incomparable and I can't reconcile the boards or beats that are seen to any core principle of math. Only speaking from my experience it runs frm the ever increasing improbable to the impossible. I am speaking of online poker in general.