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  Poker - Official Absolute scandal thread
 
  #211  
18-10-2007, 12:33 AM
x_Tac_x
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Thanks for the tip.

I'll never play on this sight. Thanks again for the warning.
 

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  #212  
18-10-2007, 5:22 AM
HartAttack3
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wow I must say I was not ready for that bombshell bombjack, very nice detective work, +rep if it was still here.

This could become a lot bigger than any of us have thought
  #213  
18-10-2007, 6:33 AM
Dorkus Malorkus
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There's more. Courtesy of thepokerdb...



...... lol.
  #214  
18-10-2007, 6:43 AM
vanquish
When it rains, it pours.
 
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<3 that ROI
  #215  
18-10-2007, 6:49 AM
Emperor IX
<--HOTTEST
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtreme_calibur
oh yeah im totally aware of that, but he only bet 400 and it was an instant fold, it was just obvious as hell. Again, Im horrified and might never play poker via internet again!
Figured you had caught it, I just wanted to make sure that everyone else has too.
  #216  
18-10-2007, 8:02 AM
Effexor
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Here's a video of the beginning of the MTT:

Enjoy !

YouTube - Absolute Poker Superuser "POTRIPPER" Cheating (Part 1 of 4)
  #217  
18-10-2007, 8:10 AM
Effexor
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Part 2:

YouTube - Absolute Poker Superuser "POTRIPPER" Cheating (Part 2 of 4)


Part 3:

YouTube - Absolute Poker Superuser "POTRIPPER" Cheating (Part 3 of 4)
  #218  
18-10-2007, 8:25 AM
Effexor
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This explains the latest findings:

N 82 50 24’s Blog :: The AP situation
  #219  
18-10-2007, 9:08 AM
Bombjack
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ZOMG Dorkus! Must be cheating, but why's this guy playing $3 and $6 tourneys??

EDIT: Read up a bit more on these, and it may not be as bad as it looks. Apparently this DB only shows cashes, and a lot of these are satellites where all the winners are displayed as 1st place. Probably a red herring.

Last edited by Bombjack : 18-10-2007 at 9:33 AM.
  #220  
18-10-2007, 11:40 AM
Acesover8s
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Are there rules saying employees of the company can not play??

If not then why not!!

There should def be a legal case to answer for Absolute Poker here (but companies trade in places like costa rica for a reason, YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH MORE)
  #221  
18-10-2007, 12:52 PM
Dorkus Malorkus
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Latest cliff notes.

...and yeah, Bombjack is right about the last pic.
  #222  
18-10-2007, 1:42 PM
pigpen02
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtreme_calibur
after viewing the youtube video by dorkus malorkus, i am officially a believer in this Absolute Poker scandal sh*t. especially after seeing the "part 2" of this series. potripper has JJ preflop in bb no raise and 1 caller has A/Q. potripper checks and flop is 942. guy with A/Q checks and potripper instantly checks. turn is a Q and guy with A/Q bets a measly 400 and potripper auto-folds! no preflop raise and no bet with JJ on a 9 hi rainbow board, then auto fold JJ to a 1bb bet of 400 on turn with Q. he fckn knew he was beat! i am completely horrified.
You have to remember that these are from a simulator and are not the actual tournament. Speed and auto- buttons are not real life. Be advised, I am not saying anything is on the up-and-up, just remember SIMULATION.
  #223  
18-10-2007, 2:55 PM
ravingred
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Im not playing on that site anymore !!!!
  #224  
18-10-2007, 7:42 PM
DaFrench1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bombjack
Latest bombshell:

Scott Tom is former CEO of Absolute Poker who is apparently no longer working for them. However he was found to be one of the observers on POTRIPPER's table and is hence currently the main suspect.

He apparently also has a part-ownership in Ultimate Bet.

You don't say, Imagine my surprise. (but what about all the millions per second they make off rake?! lol)

Love the title though, "Director of Operations". Sexy!
  #225  
19-10-2007, 4:50 AM
GivPeace
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I have heard this whole scam has been linked to a former Vice President of the Co. and this same person has high connections in other online casino's I heard his name around but I cant remember it, I would like to know how far he is involved and what other casinos he is involved with.
  #226  
19-10-2007, 5:02 AM
Dorkus Malorkus
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^ The extent of his involvement is still being investigated.

This is a very good read.
  #227  
19-10-2007, 12:03 PM
Four Dogs
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Posts: 2,873
So is this.

Tough Times For Absolute Poker
  #228  
19-10-2007, 12:55 PM
tedekm
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Apparently they have hired a private investigator to look into this...

I dont know how they can get any justice being based in Costa Rica
  #229  
19-10-2007, 1:17 PM
Bombjack
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From the Wizard of Odds page (Dorkus's link above):
Quote:
Of these 93 hands, POTRIPPER won 56 times, in an average 8.13 players per hand. Assuming all players are equally skilled you would expect 11.49 wins. POTRIPPER was 14.03 standard deviations above expectations. The probability of luck this good or better is 1 in 1.88 × 10^44.
Nothing too unusual there then, just an everyday 188,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00 0,000,000:1 chance it was legit.
  #230  
19-10-2007, 10:45 PM
MarkMorf
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Location: Cali
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AbsolutePoker.com says ‘geek’ hacked system to prove it could be done

From: Geek blamed for online poker cheating - Security - MSNBC.com

Quote:
The cheater, whose illegitimate winnings were estimated at between $400,000 and $700,000 by one victim, was an employee of AbsolutePoker.com who hacked the system to show that it could be done
Wow, and think of all the smart geeks that are doing it (insiders or not) that only take a few thousand here, a few thousand there. Bad news for AbsolutePoker and all online sites if you ask me.

Last edited by Dorkus Malorkus : 19-10-2007 at 11:55 PM. Reason: Merged into main thread
  #231  
19-10-2007, 10:56 PM
wsorbust
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Of course it could be done. What does that prove? lol. Every site is vulnerable if someone wants to take it far enough. But, it's obviously a lot easier, and faster, if you know the system in place. The guy probably partially programmed the poker system/program to begin with. pfff.
Nice article though. Looks like Dougie Houser's going to the slammer.
  #232  
19-10-2007, 11:04 PM
KingNothing4
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wow that sucks, hope nobody hacks full tilt! i wonder wat kinda punishment he will get....
  #233  
19-10-2007, 11:59 PM
Dorkus Malorkus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkMorf
From: Geek blamed for online poker cheating - Security - MSNBC.com

Wow, and think of all the smart geeks that are doing it (insiders or not) that only take a few thousand here, a few thousand there. Bad news for AbsolutePoker and all online sites if you ask me.
This is yet more bs from Absolute.

If their story is to be believed, this 'employee' has apparently been playing from Scott Tom's house (according to the IP checks etc. that some guys on 2p2 ran), which is rather odd. Plus the "he just did it to show it could be done" thing doesn't explain the blatant chip dumping, and it also doesn't explain how on earth Absolute Poker could conduct an initial investigation which uncovered nothing.

Pretty ridiculous, tbh. It will be interesting to see what their 'forthcoming statement' says.

Seriously guys, if you have money on Absolute Poker, get it withdrawn now. If you were thinking of depositing there, for the love of God, don't. They are, quite simply, a menace to online poker.
  #234  
20-10-2007, 12:43 AM
Warui Guy
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Dorkus Malorkus, funny how your opinion of suspected online "rigging or cheating " poker sites has changed now, You seem to be the one to bash anyone that makes such a statement. I know, you've done it to me. Its a wonder people actually still post when they just know you're gonna just make fun of their opinions. You seem to think your opinion is right and others are just nonsense. I know for myself that I will never start a topic on here again in fear of your attacks. Shame on a moderator for doing such things.

Dorkus Malorkus vbmenu_register("postmenu_600169", true);
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Closed with pleasure.

You got stick because we've had about 549769638567824569854672954624576254682749 "ONLIEN POKAR IS RIGED" threads before. They bore us.

Also you playing 8 hrs a day 7 days a week at a place you think is rigged is pretty hilarious.
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  #235  
20-10-2007, 1:07 AM
zachvac
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warui Guy
Dorkus Malorkus, funny how your opinion of suspected online "rigging or cheating " poker sites has changed now, You seem to be the one to bash anyone that makes such a statement. I know, you've done it to me. Its a wonder people actually still post when they just know you're gonna just make fun of their opinions. You seem to think your opinion is right and others are just nonsense. I know for myself that I will never start a topic on here again in fear of your attacks. Shame on a moderator for doing such things.

Dorkus Malorkus vbmenu_register("postmenu_600169", true);
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Closed with pleasure.

You got stick because we've had about 549769638567824569854672954624576254682749 "ONLIEN POKAR IS RIGED" threads before. They bore us.

Also you playing 8 hrs a day 7 days a week at a place you think is rigged is pretty hilarious.
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If you have proof, show it. There's pretty extensive proof that Absolute's been doing some not so legitimate things. Other people that say "it's rigged because I take so many bad beats" need to put together some proof. When there's real cheating it's easy to prove (as shown here). If you have no proof when you accuse something of being rigged, you have no credibility.
  #236  
20-10-2007, 1:23 AM
Dorkus Malorkus
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note the difference between your thread which had 0 evidence and this thread which has lots of evidence. as i said in like the second post in this thread i'm not surprised that people are jumping around using this as some sort of justification for their wild conspiracy theories, but guess what, this Absolute Poker situation and you losing with KK a few times are completely different.

plus i never 'attacked' you. stop being so sensationalist.

derail over, back to Absolute Poker's suckage now please.
  #237  
20-10-2007, 1:31 AM
rainsoaked
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I've been following this all over the place like the serial drama it, apparently, is. Doesn't seem very likely that the current spin Absolute Poker is putting on things is any better than their previous attempts at spin. Unfortunately, if readers are only getting the spun parts they're liable to come away satisfied that this poor (non-existent?) geek is to blame for everything and now it's all been fixed and all's right with Absolute Poker World, show's over, move along.

I hope this doesn't end with a whimper.
  #238  
20-10-2007, 2:01 AM
MarkMorf
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rainsoaked
Unfortunately, if readers are only getting the spun parts they're liable to come away satisfied that this poor (non-existent?) geek is to blame for everything
Exactly. It doesn't sound like there is any proof to the validity of any of the Absolute Poker publicist statements.

From page 2 of the MSNBC article:
Quote:
the employee had attempted to frame Tom, but he said, “No management was involved, and Scott Tom … had no part in playing on any of these accounts.”In a statement earlier this week, Absolute Poker said Tom “has not been involved with Absolute Poker for over a year and to the best of our knowledge, information and belief has not had access to any of Absolute Poker’s systems, databases or information.”
It should be interesting to see what surfaces in any legal hearings about who the "geek" is and if he really framed the Abs.Poker "official" Scott Tom.

I bet Scott, the geek and more officials were involved in this. I hope we hear a lot more on this.
  #239  
20-10-2007, 9:21 AM
Egon Towst
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorkus Malorkus
If their story is to be believed, this 'employee' has apparently been playing from Scott Tom's house (according to the IP checks etc. that some guys on 2p2 ran), which is rather odd.
Maybe I have misunderstood, Chris, but if the cheater (whoever he may be) was able to hack the system, would it not be simple for him to alter the record of an IP address ?

As far as I know, the IP address information comes only from a document released (in mysterious circumstances) from within Absolute Poker. I know of no independent confirmation.

Not saying I swallow the official line. Just pointing out that there may be a range of different explanations for some of these "facts".
  #240  
20-10-2007, 4:17 PM
Genso Hikki
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There's a part of this scandal that I really don't hear anyone else talking about, but that concerns me: the issue of security of player's private information.

The original spread sheet sent to Marco by Absolute Poker contained not only the detailed hand histories, but if I am understanding all this correctly, email addresses and IP addresses of the other players in the tournament. This of course was how the account was traced back to this Tom Scott in the first place. It makes me nervous to know an online poker site would send such information about me to a player who was simply requesting the hand history of the final table. Given only an IP address and and an email address, you can find out an awful lot about a person, as the fine detective work of those analyzing the spreadsheet proved. It makes me EXTREMELY nervous to know my private information could be leaked in such a way by any online poker site.
  #241  
20-10-2007, 4:24 PM
Egon Towst
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Genso Hikki
It makes me nervous to know an online poker site would send such information about me to a player who was simply requesting the hand history of the final table.
They don`t. At least, I never heard of such a thing before.

It`s one of the unexplained oddities of this story.
  #242  
20-10-2007, 9:53 PM
myvette66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larry1dart
I had found this file and after googling it, I was concerned about it. It could explain what's going on there, if it is a malicious form of the file. I wrote this blog at another forum, but thought it might be applicable here as well.

Absolute Poker or Absolute cheat?

OK so I was looking at all the files in my programs and came across one in Absolute poker in the main program file called "bugslayerutil.dll" . After searching for the file on google, I found several references to this file as being a backdoor or trojan horse. This file was created by Absolute Poker and every time the program updates it adds this file back after I have deleted it. Absolute Poker runs and loads fine without this file, so what could the purpose be for this file? This is exactly the kind of file that could be used for cheating purposes. Look at yours if you have it and do the research online and get back to me about what you think.

Now there are legitamite forms of this utility, but it does make you wonder after all of the accusations flying around. I raised this question back in June before any of this stuff happened recently. Who knows? Maybe I am the one that started all of this!!
I searched my Absolute Poker folder and found the same .dll file. I contacted Absolute Poker to find out what the file is used for.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 66vette.jpg (2.1 KB, 64 views)
  #243  
21-10-2007, 3:33 AM
USFDoh
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Quote:
Originally Posted by myvette66
I searched my Absolute Poker folder and found the same .dll file. I contacted Absolute Poker to find out what the file is used for.
Here is a link to Microsoft on what the utility is for (if indeed what you have is the Microsoft version).

Bugslayer, MSJ, February 1998
  #244  
21-10-2007, 9:31 AM
snrcreech
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Insider Cheating???

if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object();window.yzq_d['KRcJj9j8a4Q-']='&U=12659jev7%2fN%3dKRcJj9j8a4Q-%2fC%3d-1%2fD%3dTP%2fB%3d-1';

Massive Online Poker Cheating Scandal Uncovered

Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:24PM EDT
See Comments (33)
I knew there had to be a reason why I was so bad at online poker. It's got nothing to do with my skill level at all. It's that the winners are cheating. Really, it's the only explanation, right?
Laugh all you want, but in the case of Absolute Poker, this really seems to be the case. The details of how the cheating was discovered make for exhausting but fascinating ongoing reading (and they involve a possible whistleblower from inside the company), but the short of it is that someone on the inside was feeding information to one of the players about what other people in a large tournament had in their hands. (And in fact, if you read the detail thread, it might have all been the work of a single player who cracked his way into a supervisory account.) The betting pattern by the cheater (who eventually won the tournament) really has no other possible explanation (and there were suspicions to begin with), and now there's forensic proof, too. As cheaters go, this one was, to be frank, patently stupid (or just got greedy in the end).
Online poker cheating takes many forms (collusion among players conversing through IM is a common one), but to date I've never seen a poker site operator implicated as implicit in the crime, even if it's through just having poor security. As the Freakonomics guys note, "online poker is a game of trust," and any trust in Absolute Poker's operation now has to be completely shattered. The company has yet to offer a response, though the accounts in question have been frozen. Now, as Freakonomics notes, the only way to keep their company intact is to sacrifice the cheaters and see that they're locked up tight, then issue copious apologies and free money galore. But even then, would you continue to trust the company?
Maybe it's for the best that lawmakers are cracking down on these games... Sigh, has it really come to this? Kudos to the sleuths who tracked them down, and for bringing this all to light.
LINK: The Absolute Poker Cheating Scandal Blown Wide Open

Post Comment See Comments (33)
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