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Detecting an online poker cheat

Asked 2010-09-03T11:19:19.063
27

It recently emerged on a large poker site that some players were possibly able to see all opponents cards as they played through exploiting a security vulnerability that was discovered.

A naïve cheater would win at an incredibly fast rate, and these cheats are caught very quickly usually, and if not caught quickly they are easy to detect through a quick scan through their hand histories.

The more difficult problem occurs when the cheater exhibits intelligence, bluffing in spots they are bound to be called in, calling river bets with the worst hands, the basic premise is that they lose pots on purpose to disguise their ability to see other players cards, and they win at a reasonably realistic rate.

Given:

  • A data set of millions of verified and complete information hand histories
  • Theoretical unlimited computer power
  • Assume the game No Limit Hold'em, although suggestions on Omaha or limit poker may be beneficial

How could we reasonably accurately classify these cheaters? The original 2+2 thread appeals for ideas, and I thought that the SO community might have some useful suggestions.

It's an interesting problem also because it is current, and has real application in bettering the world if someone finds a creative solution, as there is a good chance genuine players will have funds refunded to them when identified cheaters are discovered.

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2 Answers

5

Well. IT people get fascinated by all kinds of wrong question.

A better question is "how is cheating even possible ?". There is no need what so ever to send the opponent's hands over the wire until at showdown. If that data isn't sent to the client, then how could they cheat ?

They'd need to break into the server. Don't tell me that isn't preventable.

answered 2010-09-03T12:13:24.003
-2

the most likely cheating situation would seem to be people working together. Three guys at same table knowing each others cards should be able to make some betting adjustments that would allow the pool of betters to come out ahead.

What stops are in place to prevent collusion?

answered 2010-09-03T22:19:13.230

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