Let me explain a way to make such ‘rigging’ impossible. As you might know, there are two possible ways for a computer to shuffle a deck:
a) Static Shuffle – Just like in a live casino, the cards are shuffled, set, and then dealt out.
b) Continuous Shuffle – While the hand is in play, the cards are continuously being shuffled, and then, when the pre-flop (or the flop or turn) action is finished, the shuffling is stopped, and then the next card is dealt.
If a deck is set, like in a static shuffle, before the hand starts, then it is literally impossible to create an “action flop” (or any other form of rigged shuffle that is based on community cards) since there is no way that a site can possibly predict what action will take place. So, if you want to play at a site where such rigging is impossible you need to only play at sites which have a static shuffle.
The easiest way to do this is to just email the various sites, and ask them whether they use a continuous or a static shufffle. Here are the contact details for the five largest sites/networks according to Poker Scout:
PokerStars – support@pokerstars.com
Full Tilt – support@fulltiltpoker.com
iPoker/Playtech – http://www.playtech.com/html/index.php?page=43
PartyPoker – info@partypoker.com
OnGame/bwin – https://home.bwin.com/page.aspx?view=contact
(If you have an email address for iPoker or OnGame/bwin to use then feel free to add it in the comments – I couldn’t find one easily)
Here’s a draft email that you can send them:
Hello,
I’m interested in how the cards are shuffled in poker games at your site.
Do you have:
a) Static Shuffle – Just like in a live casino, the cards are shuffled, set, and then dealt out.
OR
b) Continuous Shuffle – While the hand is in play, the cards are continuously being shuffled, and then, when the pre-flop (or the flop or turn) action is finishe, the shuffling is stopped, and then the next card is dealt.
Could you please let me know?
regards,
xxxxxxxx
Now, obviously you don’t trust the sites involved (otherwise this discussion wouldn’t exist) so the next step is to then contact their regulators. Here are the details on their regulators that I could find from their respective websites:
PokerStars – www.gov.im/gambling
Full Tilt – http://www.kahnawake.com/gamingcommission/
iPoker/Playtech – CDPoker (one of the skins) says they’re regulated by Gibraltar, but I couldn’t find their listing on http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/gov_depts/internet_gaming/internet_gaming.htm – still, that’s probably the place to start
PartyPoker – http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/gov_depts/internet_gaming/internet_gaming.htm
OnGame/bwin – http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/gov_depts/internet_gaming/internet_gaming.htm
I just went to the respective sites home pages and followed the links from there. Hopefully this will help you get underway to confirming to yourself that online poker is safe and secure.
Feel free to post any questions you have in the comments below if you have any queries.
This is an edited version of what I originally published at http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=8437110&postcount=498
