PokerStars Tournament, No Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $3.00/$0.75/$0.35 USD
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $27.00 USD
Tournament started 2010/05/27

You finished the tournament in 1st place. A USD 13.50 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

You have also received USD 4.50 in Knockout Bounties for this tournament.  

Congratulations!

Thank you for participating.

Anyway, I bought in at the $1/$2 table with $150 and cashed out with just under $400 about 45 minutes later.  I won most of it on a flush draw. I was holding AQ hearts and the flop brought 2 hearts and I think a Queen. I did win several other hands as well- I was getting nice starting hands and then actually hitting on the flop for a change.

I think this was my first time leaving a live poker room with more than I came in with

• Different sites…
• going on tilt, climbing the wall, and the perpetual cyclone of the cooler
• Raising the Stakes (from Zero)

I played well. I was a little loose in the beginning (I was seeing the flop 40% of the time), but I tightened up towards the end. I hit pocket AA and KK once each and they held up both times.

When it got down to the final two I was the underdog with about $4k chips vs his $9k, but I hit a string of really strong hands which helped me to dominate and ultimately take the win. PokerStars balance is up to about $65 (which is the highest it’s been in a long time). I’m really hoping that I can bring it up over $200 in 2010, then I’ll be just about even in in online poker play.

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PokerStars Tournament #XXXXXXXXXX, No Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $10.00/$1.00 USD
9 players
Total Prize Pool: $90.00 USD
Tournament started 2009/12/25

You finished the tournament in 1st place. A USD 45.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

Congratulations!

Buy-in was $200. There was 128 players, and one re-buy option for the first 90 minutes. It started at 1pm and I lasted a few hours until I busted out around 50th place.

I played well, but there is one thing I would have done differently. The blinds increased really quickly. Doubling every 20 minutes. I don’t know if that’s normal or not, but we started with 10,000 in chips and by the time I left, the blinds were 2,000/4,000. I was not playing aggressively enough to build a chipstack that could sustain that level of play.

In truth, without all the metrics readily available, e.g. largest/average/smallest stack, number of players, etc., it felt a little like playing in the dark. There was a board with the info, but I couldn’t see it from my seat and I felt uncomfortable getting up to look at it every 30 minutes so I just tried to eyeball how many other players were still left and how everyone else was doing. Anyway, I will definitely keep a closer watch on that stuff next time and adjust my aggressiveness as needed.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun. More so than the live table games I’ve played.

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PokerStars Tournament #xxxxxxxxxx, No Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $3.00/$0.40 USD
27 players
Total Prize Pool: $81.00 USD

You finished the tournament in 1st place. A USD 30.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

Congratulations!

To confirm that online sites are using Props, here is a transcript of a chat with Absolute Poker rep (as shared by Richard):

Welcome! An online representative will be with you shortly. You are number 1 in the queue. Your wait time will be approximately 0 minute(s) and 9 seconds. Thank you for waiting.
You are now chatting with ‘Carolina’
Carolina: Hello! Thank you for contacting us! How may i assist you today?
richard: why does your software find a way every time to rape players like me
Carolina: what do you mean?
richard: in other words why do i get fuckin screwed over 95% of the time when i go in with the best of it
Carolina: all our games are fair to all the players, note that the cards are dealt at random by a number generator
richard: random
richard: are you sure about that
richard: if it was random then why do i get the same value cards dealt to me 3 4 5 times after each other
richard: why do i see flops off 333, 444, 555 etc
richard: why does your system always favour the bigger stacks over 90% of the time
richard: and you say that its random
richard: why have i not had a reply off ecogra
Carolina: we constantly being audited by the kahnawake comission
richard: yes and the kahnawake have been cheating there customers on quite a few occasions
richard: have u heard about the ap and ub scandal
richard: cause u have
richard: can you tell me why there was cheating going on at this site
richard: well if you cant then i shall tell u
richard: its because its as corrupt as hell
richard: whenever theres alot of money involved theres goin to be cheatin
Carolina: that was an unfortunate situation and all the affected players were properly refunded
Carolina: i can assure you that all our games are fair to all the players; however, if you have concerns or doubts about our integrity please send us an email to support@absolutepoker.com and we will gladly assist you
richard: another scrited reply
richard: scripted
richard: why do your lot always tell players like me to go somewhere else
richard: or write to somewhere else
richard: u like sending your players on a merry go round dont ya
Carolina: you can find information about us as well as statements of this matter at http://tokwiro.com/
richard: and you know aswell as i know that this site is full of shit
Carolina: We are owned by them
Carolina: sorry sir, but I am giving you information that is accurate
richard: yeah owned
richard: so them cheatin corrupt bastards have put u on a pice of string to tell customers like me a load of bullshit
Carolina: you will find the needed information there. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you
richard: so if they own you
richard: and there so confident about there software
richard: they would sponsor a player like me
richard: another thing
richard: the player on your main website page
richard: who won back to back tournaments yeah
Carolina: we do not sponsor players, we have professional players and prop players
richard: and what is a prop player
richard: are u saying u have house players
Carolina: Our prop players start new games and fill in games with empty seats as needed. These players are welcome to continue propping as long as their money holds out.
Carolina: Prop players compete entirely with their own money, are unaware who the other prop players are, and have no access to “inside information” that might help them defeat an opponent.
richard: lol
richard: who said anything about inside info
richard: your droppin yourself in it
richard: this site is fookin cheatin
richard: and u know it
Carolina: I’m just explaining you what a prop is, you asked me that
richard: but i never mentioned anything about players knowing inside info
richard: so that makes me believe now for sure that there is players who know iside info
richard: i cant wait to blog this convo
richard: why did you mention inside info
Carolina: As I mentioned, I was explaining you what a prop is and making that clear due to the question you made of having house players
Carolina: so I wanted to make that clear
richard: no, you know and i know that this site is cheating there loyal customers
richard: why have prop players
richard: theres no need
richard: thats a form of cheatin
Carolina: I just explained you it is to start tables, to keep action in the tables
Carolina: it is not cheating
richard: Absolute Poker Scandal – super user accounts, capable of seeing hole cards, winning at ridiculous rates, caught from an email slip up from the AB sending some hand histories erroneously…AB did refund some money (approx 1.2M USD)
Carolina: Richard, I’m going to have to ask you to please send an e-mail to our auditors or to pokersecurity@absolutepoker.com if you wish further information in regards to the scandal. We are aware it was an unfortunate issue, but believe me, we refunded every single affected player
Carolina: we implemented several new secruity softwares to prevent this from happening again
richard: explain
richard: what new things are there
Carolina: they can explain you better the systems we use
Carolina: Please feel free to contact them directly
richard: you try to explain
richard: what new things are there
richard: in place to stop cheating
richard: is there something to stop players colluding over instant chat messengers
richard: and mobile phones
Carolina: That is why I am telling you to contact Poker Security, they are in charge of that and they will be able to let you know exactly everything you need about this topic
richard: so u dont know
richard: after you telling me that theres new measures
richard: its all scripted responses where your sat isnt it
richard: those above you telling you to basically bullshit players like me
Carolina: You are contacting the Customer Support Department, I can handle everything in regards to your account, tournaments, account activity… but as far as Security systems and softwares is not my area
Carolina: that is why you need to contact our Poker Security Department
Carolina: to get the answers you need
richard: i have a question about a poker tourney
richard: why does your software favour the bigger stack over 95% of the time
richard: statistic speak for themselves
Carolina: our site does not benefit from any player winning or losing at our poker tables
richard: so your calling me a liar when i see for myself what is happening on your tables
Carolina: Poker is primarily a game of skill, but since luck is also involved, there will be times when you will get a bad run of cards. It is not possible for us to manipulate the outcome of the games, and even if it were, we would not engage in any activities that might compromise our integrity.
richard: another copy and paste scripted response
Carolina: I am not calling you a liar, I am just explaining you. Please do not feel attacked with my words, I am here to help you
richard: why you say attacked
richard: so thats saying you are attacking
richard: your callin me a liar
richard: do you play on this site
Carolina: because you said i was callin you a liar
richard: do you play poker on this site
Carolina: it is forbidden for us to play
richard: so how do you know that these games are fair
richard: just because some corrupt bullshitting bastard has told you so
richard: how does anyone know that these cards are shuffled
Carolina: because of the thousands of players we have and the winnings they make, working here gives me the capability to know that it is fair
Carolina: I am going to ask you to stop using that language
Carolina: I am being respectful with you
richard: no, your lying to me
richard: how comes then if it was fair
richard: ive been trying for ages to win a tournament
richard: and then i see on your website that a player has won back to back tournaments
richard: statistically immpossible
richard: you can determine who wins these tourneys
richard: thats what i think along with thousands of others
Carolina: Richard, we wouldn’t have thousands of players if this was the case
Carolina: Please, if you come to get assistance, believe what I am saying you
Carolina: to you*
richard: no because those thousands of players do not open there eyes
richard: and most of them thousands work for this site
richard: and an industry thats worth 4 billion dollars you cant even give a decent bonus to a loyal customer
Carolina: I am really sorry you are having a bad experience at our site, I understand the way you feel. I do play at other sites and I get the feeling you are getting
Carolina: but that is poker Richard, sometimes you win sometimes you lose
richard: 4 billion industry and the bonus offers are totally shit
Carolina: we are not allowed to play here, we are all blocked
Carolina: We give rewards based on loyalty. Have you checked our Loyalty Program?
Carolina: the higher you go in tiers the more benefits you get
Carolina: so we do rewards players based on their loyalty and gaming activity
richard: but if im going to deposit and your system rapes me of my bankroll then whats the point
richard: your system finds a way every time to take money off one player to give it to someone else, mainly a newcomer
richard: to give him the impression that hes a good player
richard: no matter what opinion a player like me has, your site as an excuse for everything
Carolina: Sorry Richard, you are not right, and I am truly sorry you feel this way, but I know we manage a fair site and every player has the same opportunities. It is a matter of skill and luck
Carolina: perhaps you should evaluate your moves, or if you play too tight or too lose
Carolina: perhaps changing your strategy would help
richard: do you play poker
richard: online
richard: ?
Carolina: yes
richard: on what site
Carolina: Poker Stars and Cake
richard: screenname on ps
Carolina: i can’t give you that information
Carolina: it is personal
richard: why not
richard: what can i possibly get from a screenname
richard: ur name at the table
richard: i mean
richard: u know my screen name
Carolina: Because it’s mine and personal and I don’t feel comfortable sharing it
richard: but u know my screen name
richard: your lying again
richard: whats so personal about a screenname
richard: you could no someone who plays on this site then that doesnt work for the company and give them my details
richard: infact your could know 2 players that play on here that doesnt work for the company
richard: and give both my details
Carolina: I am not lying RIchard, I have no reason to do that
richard: ilmfao
richard: your working for a poker site
richard: thats your job to lie
richard: the interview that paul legget was giving on the tokwiro website
richard: he was bullshitting
Carolina: i will transfer you to my supervisor, please bear with us
richard: he wasnt makin eye contact most of the time
Please wait while I transfer the chat to ‘Maggie Davis’.
You are now chatting with ‘Maggie Davis’
richard: maggie davis
richard: ilmfao
Maggie Davis: Hello Richard
richard: why have i been transferred from one bullshitter to another
Maggie Davis: Excuse me?
richard: your gonna fill me up with the same shit
Maggie Davis: Richard, I have been following your chat while you were talking to Carolina
richard: and im not going through everything again to someone else
Maggie Davis: So I am aware of the situation
richard: your corrupt arent ya
Maggie Davis: No I’m not Richard
richard: you cheat players out of there cash
Maggie Davis: Please let me know how can I help you?
richard: why did the player win back to back tourneys
richard: whos featured on your website
richard: joboi
Maggie Davis: What do you mean by that?
richard: because your site can deterime the outcome that how
richard: thats
richard: well how many runners were in each tourney
richard: that this player played in to win both
Maggie Davis: Richard, I would like to put an end on this conversation. You were explained several times that we are not capable of controlling all these.
richard: here we go again
Maggie Davis: We are not cheating… Yes, we had an issue in the past, but it was corrected
richard: hitting a sore spot
Maggie Davis: So please, if there is anything else you need please let me know
richard: i want you to expalin something
Maggie Davis: otherwise I will have to end this session
richard: how many player were there in the 2 games that this joboi won
richard: players
Maggie Davis: What is joboi Richard?
richard: hes the player who recently won back to back games on this site
richard: u know exactly who i mean
Maggie Davis: There is no player under that name
Maggie Davis: What is your point?
richard: well if you answer my question i am going to get to the point
Maggie Davis: You are not giving me information
richard: how many runners were in the 2 games that he won back to back
Maggie Davis: I don’t know who you are talking about and which games you are referring to
richard: its not that hard to understand
richard: give me 1 minute
Maggie Davis: so if you give me accurate information I could know what you are talking about
richard: i’ll get u the info
richard: where do i go on your site for recent winners
Maggie Davis: You can see them if the tourney is still posted on the lobby as completed
richard: right
richard: when i sign into this poker site
richard: theres a pop up
Maggie Davis: With a winner… right
Maggie Davis: but that is for just one event
richard: and it states that this palyer won back to back tournies
Maggie Davis: Back to back? you mean heads up?
richard: no i mean 1 tournament after another
Maggie Davis: Do you think that is impossible?
Maggie Davis: or do you consider that cheating?
richard: well ive been trying years to win 1
richard: ive been trying everyway possible
Maggie Davis: As Carolina was saying, have you tried to evaluate the way you play?
richard: dont u think that thats a bit strange
Maggie Davis: cause thousands of players win tournaments on a daily basis, on an hour basis
richard: you still havent ansered my question
Maggie Davis: Not really, I mean, no offense, but there are incredibly good players out there
Maggie Davis: I just did
richard: how many runners were there in these 2 tournies that he won
Maggie Davis: I don’t have that information, could be 100, could be more, could be less
Maggie Davis: I understand where you are going, that how is it possible for someone to win 2 tourneys in a row with a big amount of players involved
Maggie Davis: and I answered that already
richard: you dont want to answer this because you know that your cheating fouckin corrupt bastards and this convo is getting bogged everywhere
Maggie Davis: Ok Richard
richard: blogged
Maggie Davis: That is enough
Maggie Davis: I won’t tolerate that language
richard: go fuck urself
Maggie Davis: GOod bye
Chat session has been terminated by the site operator

In any case, I’m hearing a lot about Full Tilt’s new software and even more people are complaining about their action-filled algorithm and how it’s designed to get people all in and not like a real poker game. I stopped playing at Full Tilt long ago for the same reasons. I don’t care what their official position is- their software does not mimic real poker. That to me is fraud.

Anyway, due to the level of interest that topic is getting, and the fact that some people are probably losing a lot of money due to this, I’ll be providing a bit more coverage in the future. I also plan to start posting my status updates on a semi-regular basis as well.

For those that are interested, I’m definitely still down overall. But I think I’ve gotten better and I feel like I’m more in control of my game (at least online). I’ve played at several casinos around the world and I still take a pretty bad beating for the most part. Sometimes due to donks or chasers that hit on the river, others due to genuinely better players either bluffing me out or reading me well.

I’ve finished ahead that last 4 or 5 times I’ve played. I might actually be getting better…