Jun 07, 2014  The eternal question. Is online poker bent/rigged? Is the deal 'regulated'? Anyway, after some research (apart from the rants of the badly-beaten) I found a couple of posts claiming to be from. The other big problem for the online poker is rigged crowd is that the poker sites actually have a direct financial incentive to maintain the integrity of their games. In other words, they have a clear motive NOT to rig online poker. PokerStars for instance made $877 million dollars in revenue from poker in 2017. If you love poker, then you will love PokerTube. The world's largest Poker Media website has everything you need to follow the games that matter to you. With over 20,000 videos available covering a wide variety of live and online games, Pokertube is a priceless.

Whether you’ve never been exposed to poker or you’re a regular player online, many have asked and wondered about this question: Is online poker rigged?

The answer is NO. And these operators have proof. Poker sites use regulators and highly sophisticated random number generators to keep their games safe, secure and fair for the players who use it.

1. PokerStars

Security

PokerStars starts making sure the software is secure from the minute the software is downloaded. At the time of the download, the installer has a built-in feature that signs the file using a RSA 2048-bit code certificate, issued to Rational Services Limited and verified by VeriSign, a major public certificate authority.

This process ensures that the client installer came from PokerStars and that it wasn’t altered in the time between publication and installation. The software should contain the same certificates as those assigned in PokerStars’ own Certificate Authority and is authenticated on their servers. Everything clients input is validated on the server side.

PokerStars’ software uses the industry standard TLS protocol and PokerStars’ bit RSA key (which RSA states will be sufficient until 2030). These server keys are updated every three months. PokerStars supports the following ciphers: AES128-SHA (128 bits) and DES-CBC3-SHA (168 bits).

Each PokerStars account can increase its security by adding other methods of logging in: security questions, Stars PIN, SMS validation and a RSA token.

Fairness

PokerStars uses shuffle algorithms for its software, with two independent sources for the random data: user input and Quantis. The former, user input, summarizes mouse movements and takes into account event timing directly from the client software.

Quantis, comparatively, is a hardware random number generator from ID Quantique, a Switzerland-based company. According to PokerStars, this company uses quantum randomness as an entropy source.

ID Quantique states on its website that it was the first to develop a quantum random number generator in 2001 and remains a market leader when it comes to hardware random number generators (RNGs).

So, in a typical shuffle, PokerStars uses typical probability and statistics, shuffling 52 cards in 52! ways or 80,658,175,170,943,878,571,660,636,856,404,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 ways. To get an even and unpredictable statistical distribution, PokerStars uses 294 random bits from user input and the quantum randomness.

Thus, if a user does not meet the required amount of entropy as gathered from both sources, the next hand is not played until that amount is met from the Quantum random number generator.

They also use a cryptographic hash algorithm and pseudo-random number generator to mix the entropy levels for greater security and to protected against user data attacks.

The algorithm changes bit data into random numbers without bias by converting them into numbers (ex. 0-31 in a range of 0-25) and then discarding numbers and recalculating if outside that range.

When it comes to actual shuffling, a random card is taken from the deck and placed in a new deck. This process is continued until all cards have moved from one deck to the other. This process and the algorithm that creates it protect against a bad distribution.

All the information provided on the random number generator on PokerStars is submitted to an independent organization, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) who audits PokerStars to confirm the randomness and security of the system, according to PokerStars Support.

So don't uninstall your PokerStars account just yet; they have a reputable system to show their games are fair. So head on over to PokerStars and decide for yourself.

2. 888poker

Security

888poker also utilizes RSA public and private key encryption technology to make sure that all data is securely transferred online. Payment details are on a secure server protected by a firewall, according to 888poker.

The processing services for payments are handled by Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Ltd., which also utilizes this method of encryption.

Fairness

When playing with 888poker online, a random number generator determines the outcome of the games. According to 888, the system has been tested through millions of rounds, examining the results along the way. The dealer in each game is actually a computer in most cases (with the exception of sports betting and live games).

Games that are outside the purview of 888 undergo additional procedures to make sure that they adhere to the appropriate standards and that they pass 888 in-house testing on both the system and the random number generator.

888 uses independent auditors to review the casino’s payout percentage on a regular basis and these are available to the public here.

Don't let us be the deciding factor! Experience 888poker firsthand!

3. partypoker

Security

Partypoker’s operator, bwin.party, has its evaluation certificate from iTech Labs with a range of poker games found compliant to iTech’s standards: ring games, Texas hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo, Bad Beat Jackpot, partypoker Million, Sit & Go, Single Table and Multi-Table. Blackjack and regular and special tournaments have also been evaluated.

In the past, the poker games had already passed these tests, which including verifying that partypoker used a random number generator for card shuffling.

iTech tested the functionality of all games and tournaments, made return to player calculations and verified game rules and procedures for software integrity.

This last evaluation, in July of 2005, also ensure that the change control mechanisms and regular monitoring of critical modules were allowing the software to respond accordingly.

All game information is sent between the player’s computer and the partypoker servers with 128-bit encryption and SSL.

Fairness

The random number generator and other systems, algorithms and practices ensure that partypoker remains fair to each player, the site states.

The deck is shuffled and the cards are generated through a random number generator. These numbers are scaled and shuffled from 32-bit raw numbers to generate a 52-card deck.

According to partypoker, this is an acceptable, statistically sound method to create randomness. This algorithm and shuffling code were used to generate over two million shuffled decks and met the test standards on a monthly basis. The source code is also reviewed by iTech to make sure that the internal state is secured and seeding is from an entropy source.

A study that statistically tested random number generators at the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that new metrics to investigate randomness helped to gain additional confidence that random number generators are acceptable from a statistical point of view.

Thus, random generators should continuously be tested to ensure quality, but “are very important in the construction of encryption keys and other cryptographic algorithm parameters.”

So maybe the next time you call out an online poker site for being rigged, start by making sure your gameplay is solid. Now, you can focus your efforts elsewhere, like on your video poker strategy.

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You hear it all the time whether it is during the conversations with your closest friends or in some topic on the poker forums ' online poker is rigged!' It doesn’t matter the site or the network, for many of us, when we play online, we sometimes have the feeling that the software is actually targeting us, forcing us to give up all of our bankroll. We see countless bad beats, coolers, or just situations where our foe miraculously comes from behind and takes down a huge pot and we slowly start to feel helpless.

So what do we do? We avoid looking in the mirror and start blaming something or somebody else. In the case of online poker, it’s definitely the Random Number Generator - basically the program that shuffles the deck of cards - a.k.a the RNG. But is the RNG really to blame for our poker misfortunes? Is online poker rigged? And if it’s not, why are there times in which it feels that way?

To start things off in a proper, interesting manner, let’s say it has to do with both our human flaws or the way our memory works and the very different nature of the game in the online environment. Not convinced just yet? Then start reading the next lines and be prepared to see this debate from a whole different perspective.

The Bad Beats Are Easier To Remember

It’s definitely not news when we state that we have a much easier time in remembering the bad things in our lives. There are many scientific studies that can confirm this undeniable fact. One study says that this is the result of evolution: negative emotions like sadness and rage trigger increased activity in the part of the brain linked to memories. Our emotional brain is also overloaded with information. In other words, we have to remember such things to try to avoid making the same mistakes later.

Unfortunately, as compared to real life situations, the game of poker is a different beast. In poker, if the outcome is negative, it doesn’t necessarily mean we made a bad decision. We actually may have made the right decision but our brain can’t quite process that. So naturally, we tend to remember things like bad beats and unlikely situations in which our foe won easier than the times we suckout our opponent. In fact, the times when we came from behind to win a random poker hand are blurry and not as distinguishable as a bad beat. And that’s why we tend to believe we witnessed countless numbers of bad beats and not nearly enough suckouts.

What we can do, however, is be honest with ourselves and take a long look in the mirror. Start tracking our online poker history with different softwares like Poker Tracker and Holdem Manager and just look at the times when we suckout. It does look different than the way we remember it, doesn’t it?

Faster-paced, Means Greater Chance To Run Into Big Hands

Besides our obvious flaws, we need to take into consideration other aspects that have to do with the dynamics of the game. Remember, online poker is quite different than your average home game or live casino game. Why? First of all, online we can play much more hands than live; we can multi-table and see thousands of poker hands on a daily basis. At a casino game, the action is slow, and the shuffle takes longer so the volume can’t quite compare with the online business.

So what does it mean? Well, it means we can accumulate more experience in less time as compared to the live green felt. We don’t have to play for years like the pros of old to truly master the game. We can literally play over one million hands per year, inconceivable in the past when there were only a handful of poker tournaments and not that many opportunities to play cash games. But it also means is that we have a much greater chance of running into big hands. Since we see that many hole cards and community boards, expect to see quads and even a straight flush more often than live. This is not to mention situations in which our foe will outrun us even though he was way behind when the poker hand started.

Poker is still a game of chance and very few things are certain. The bullets - pocket Aces - have 85% chance of winning at showdown preflop versus a random hand. So given a big enough sample, that can easily be achieved online. At least one time - if not two - out of ten we will have our Aces cracked. This is not because of some rigged software, it’s a matter of probabilities and statistics.

Different Online Game Dynamics

The speed is just one facet of the online game that makes it different from live, the game dynamics are another difference. We can look at them from two different perspectives.

Let’s talk about the micros first. At the lowest stakes, we may encounter players who enter the pot with many unusual and what we call unplayable poker hands. The reasons behind those decisions may not have to be rational; many of them simply want to take a garbage hand like 72 offsuit only to crack someone’s Aces or outrun a premium hand. That’s their thrill, and since we’re talking about the micros, they can afford to do it. As a consequence, the game dynamic changes dramatically as compared to live where the stakes are much higher thus it is much more expensive to think like that.

We also have to take into consideration that that tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, are playing online from all around the world on a given poker site so you’ll see many players entering the pot with garbage, especially at micros. That’s why you have to expect your very good hands will be dominated by some crappy hands from time to time. It’s just the nature of the beast.

The other perspective has to do with the higher stakes, where the games are pretty much reg-infested. Compared with live, the online play in this situation is much cleaner. We will find many TAGs - tight aggressive players who play ABC poker at the low and medium stake. People who play many tables and not so many actual hands. That’s why, against them, we will have a greater chance of running into big hands and coolers. Again, it has nothing to do with the fact that the RNG hates you; the game dynamic is built in such a way that you will experience more coolers and nuts vs. second nuts situations than live.

Conclusion: Online Poker Isn’t Rigged!

So after all the analysis, is online poker really rigged? Of course it’s not, it’s just different than live. Basically, they may be regarded as two different games that require different set of skills besides hand reading, value betting, and bluffing.

And next time you’ll try to convince yourself it is indeed rigged, be honest with yourself. Try to see the truth past your own emotions and be critical of your game. Maybe you did some things wrong, maybe you have leaks in your game that cost you money and increase the variance, or maybe you just need to take a break. And if you’re still not convinced, why do you think there are winners at every known stake in the online poker world? W hy are there regulars and grinders who play certain games online for a living? How can they win and you can’t? Doesn’t it have to be rigged for all the players? Or is it fair just for chosen few - which makes the whole rigged statement even more nonsense?

Is Replay Poker Rigged

In other words, the more we dig in and use our logic, the clearer we can see the truth that is online poker isn’t rigged. It hasn’t ever been and won’t be in the future. It’s as simple as that, but why are we losing then? That’s the one-million-dollar question isn’t it?

Bet Online Poker Is Rigged

What do you think? Why does it feel online poker is rigged? Do you really believe it is rigged? Then please share your reasons why you think in such a way in the comment section below.