Collusion - Is It Common?

How common is collusion between two or more players? Also, what steps do the poker site take to insure that there is no colluding going on? I am just curious what your thoughts are on the situation. Thanks.

I don't know how often it happens, because it's not something that people usually openly admit to, with it being a potentially fraudulent activity.

I wouldn't be too worried about it unless you are playing high stakes cash games (3/6 and up)

some players use IM Software in tourney's.

I have seen people try to use code in freerolls. Why you would bother? But when it comes to using messenger or skype or the like there is not a lot anyone can do. But if you need to why bother playing!!

It would be naive to think collusion doesn't happen. I have had money refunded back into my pokerstars account b/c I was involved in a sng were 2 colluders were caught. Most top sites have excellent security measures to prevent and to act upon them, but it still exists. It's usually easier to spot in sng's ie chip dumping etc.

There is nothing to worry about when it comes to collusion. It could be happening, it could not, there is no way to know, but sites to as much as they can to prevent it, so you just have to get on with the game.

Also if your at a table were you suspect collusion occurs, then you just inform c/s and they will look into the histories of players concerned and investigate.

Collusion in online poker occurs very often I'd imagine, as it is incredibly easy to have a friend or two on the phone or on IM. However, aside from the fact that most top poker sites monitor suspicious play and severely penalize people found to be cheating, most colluders are not knowledgeable enough to even cheat properly, and thus, I would not lose any sleep or worry too much over the possibility of you being cheated out of your money.

Iv reported it twice. once you report it they investigate it, and get back to you on whether they think it was or not in a timely manner. one time they said no it wasn't, and the other they said they were going to look into it further. never heard anymore on it, so Im guessing they never found any proof.

I think that's one of the inherent contradictions of the Refer A Friend system that all the poker sites tout. They want all your friends to sign up, and reward you handsomely for it - then they don't want you playing at the same table...

There are cheaters in every phase of life where money is involved. Food stamps, welfare, poker, the track, Wall Street, shoplifting, etc. the list is endless.

IMO, playing any game whether it's life or recreational requires learning the skills of the game as well as how to be observant in protecting whatever 'investment' you are making.

There are also cheaters at every level. It isn't just high stakes that attracts them. The $1 cheater can't afford to get into the $1k game, but my $1 is just as important to me as the $1k or $10k is to the high stakes player.

Paranoia not required. Just use common sense and be careful.

Evidence of that is the multiple registrations CC has had recently in their freerolls...

The form of collusion you are mosl likely to see is chip dumping.

While chip dumping is probably more common i think it is most likely more effective of mathematically knowledgeable poker player to be on the phone sharing whole cards. Then they can often have u drawing to less outs than u think and although appear to be giving u good pot odds actually be giving you slightly worse odds. This makes it much more profitable for a cheat to simply share whole cards.

If u like multi table tourneys you are probably much less likely to encounter cheating as the players cheating will need to be at the same table. SNGs and cash games are much more likely to have cheaters for the obvious reason that u can choose your table. Don't forget that u can always stand up from a cash game when you suspect someone cheating.

Poker Stars is great when it comes to collusion. Ive had $ put back in my account twice becuase of collusion. At least some of them are gettin caught which is good. Of course it happens it always will happen most people are not smart enough to not get caught tho.

i know some of the big poker sites run a scan on your computer to scan programs such as AOL IM to try and prevent collusion

The few poker monsters I know will not under any circumstances play any game higher then 2-4 online for fear of collusion. In sngos its not as common because its not horribly profitable. I always check what city people are from and if 2 match at a cash table I stand up. Sngo's......bring it on.

Thanks for all of the responses. As a relatively new online poker player, are there any dead giveaways that I should be on the lookout for when it comes to collusion? What actions do people make that would hint at cheating? Thanks.

Big raises and meaningless folds. Check the cities players u suspect are from too, and never hesitate to contact c/s...they will investigate the crap out of any accusation.