Can't speak to online play as I've never actually seen the algorithms for balancing the tables, but it is supposed to be unbiased. So you should end up at tables based on a formula considering what table you were at, where you need to go, seat position, etc...but it shouldn't be looking at your chip count or placing you based on this or anything of the sort (like intentionally placing you in front of the blinds several times in a row. Of course, just like
poker hands, it does happen. In live play, tournament rules are very clear that balancing will occur, when it happens, and how they move players. If you want the exact house policy, just ask them. It isn't a secret. Also, while the tournament director will try to move you fairly to a similar seat position (relative to the button) at the new table, you are required to take the new seat regardless of benefit or drawback (such as landing on the button seat or in the BB). This is how it is supposed to work online as well...unbiased moving. If the moves aren't unbiased, then the edge you build up (in terms of stack size) by superior play (and the occasional luck) is negated by the
poker site which would then be them altering the randomness of the situation, which would be akin to riggedednousness...