Pokerstars-Sharkscope detection.

Did anyone else realise that Stars has the facility to track your Shark-Scope use at any stage whilst the poker client is running ?? This is a little scary tbh, considering that use of Shark-Scope is a breach of Stars TOS, and could possibly result in your account being locked.

Just an FYI, and yes Stars has admitted the abiltily to be able to do this on another forum.

Yeah, I close pokerstars before going to sharkscope. Might not have to since I don't have a subscription to the more advanced search. Doesn't a message pop up on the screen if you go there while playing?

woah, havent SS'd anyone in a while but thanks for the HU...

I received a frightening email from Pokerstars today, beware!!!!

It just so happens I used Sharkscope today to look someone up while in an 18-man 3$ SNG on stars, who turned out to be the biggest fish I've ever looked up (-62% avg ROI, almost -2000$ profit and avg stake 2$) Which helped me eliminate him when he kept calling down with middle pair.

After the game I get this email:

"Hello,

It has come to our attention at PokerStars that you are accessing a prohibited third party poker website known as "SharkScope.com" during your game play.

Perhaps you were unaware that the use of SharkScope was against the rules, but use of this software under any circumstances is against our terms of service. Those terms of service are located here:

Poker Stars - Online Poker Site Terms of Service

Among them are these terms:

5.4. EXTERNAL PLAYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (EPA). PokerStars
prohibits those External Player Assistance Programs ("EPA
Programs") which are designed to provide an "Unfair Advantage"
to players. PokerStars defines "External" to mean computer
software (other than the Software), and non-software-based
databases or profiles (e.g. web sites and subscription
services). PokerStars defines an "Unfair Advantage" as any
instance in which a User accesses or compiles information
on other players beyond that which the User has personally
observed through the User's own game play. We encourage you
to read our Prohibited Online Software FAQ at:

Prohibited Online Poker Software Programs

As SharkScope provides statistics based upon a large database of hands in which you did not play, it is considered to be in violation of this policy.

For a brief transition period, we will only be issuing this warning. We ask that you stop using SharkScope immediately. On November 15, we will begin closing the accounts of players found to be using SharkScope despite having received and acknowledged a warning.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter, and for helping us to keep PokerStars' games a fair and level playing field for all players.

Best Regards,


PokerStars Game Security"


I really, really dont want my Stars account closed, so I'll do whatever they say haha.

Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for the info.

Yes i recieved that email tonight.

The poker rooms don`t generally reveal (for obvious reasons) the strengths and limitations of their anti-cheating measures. But, yes, it is a known fact that the more sophisticated sites have the ability to identify what other processes are running on your pc in tandem with the poker client.

For example, the TOS of Party Poker includes this warning :

"Our automated software reports on any processes or programs running on your computer that have been identified as prohibited software falling within our policy."

Obviously you should just never acknowledge any warning given to you.

you can avoid the warning.........just don't use sharkscope WHILE running pokerstars client.

get a second computer!!!

Me loves having laptop and pc

wow, i had no idea, thanks for posting. i'll be sure to share it with everyone i know...i used to use it all the time.

intresting i never knew such programs were out there

im liking this site more an more ... very helpful

That's why PS is the biggest site. Their security forensics is unbelievable and they protect their reputation at any cost.

Software like PokerEdge is also illegal on PS. PokerEdge runs counter measures to foil PS detection. On PS rules page is a list of allowable software and illegal software. Check it out when in dout.

Well I think they all some how and some way track everything. I mean how do these sites and even some people know about your play and your money? its like they r watching you. lol maybe I'm just crazy, but I know it happens on carbon

Ahaha! Ooops! I'll steer clear of that from now on!