bfbagain
08-04-2009, 01:10 PM
When asked if online poker is rigged, it's nearly unanimous that the response is, no, of course it's not rigged. Then the follow-up arguments usually turn to rng's and how the online sites receive certifications, e.g., ask FTP, and they'll cite chapter and verse on theirs. But, maybe a better question is, is it "fair?"
An apt illustration into the thinking behind the fairness, or the integrity of gaming question, usually involves the rhetorical question, "why would they, they have so much to lose." But as most informed people know, certainly those with knowledge of Vegas and how casinos have an intimate relationship with the NGC, lots of shenanigans have taken place and when faced with the possibility of sanctions, none, or small ones, are forthcoming.
UB/AP I think, also put that question to rest, in that everyone now knows that lots of additional monies were taken from unsuspecting players. Granted, that didn't require any nefarious and high-tech programming designed to produce insidious results, but.....computers are programmed, and monitored, by people. It's not the computers, but the people behind them that create unethical situations, whether it's merely the use of a super-user password which can monitor things in real time, or advanced automatic computations being run as hidden services....
Now, I'm not a programmer, but other than that, I have a very strong background with computers and computer security. And I also know that lots of things can be programmed and many more can be flagged; if anyone doubts whether certain aspects of computing can't be used to identify patterns, and project outcomes with unbelievable accuracy, then they're either living in the dark ages or are just computer illiterates. They might want to run a google search on NSA algorithms - or do some research on the NSA, period.
The use of advanced algorithms in computer programs, shuffle master is a classic example, makes some things, very interesting, at least to me.
Now I know that people want to believe that all is well online, and I have no real reason to think otherwise, other than personally observing anomalies, at least to me :-) - but that is hardly reason enough to assume that insidious happenings are taking place.....Still, some things are hard to fathom.
If I (assuming I had the know how, and I don't) were to design a way to increase the overall profitability of an online poker site, through a nefarious computer program that was basically undetectable, i.e., where the rng could easily pass certification testing, it would be where I would rotate accounts, while those accounts were playing, and adjust when those accounts would have a slightly higher loss ratio. This would then merely be attributed to normal (or slightly higher than) variance by the individual player whose acct., in that mix, was flagged. Then after a time, move on to another set of accounts. At any one time, FTP has approx. 75K players online. 200 of 75K accts. a day, every day. Anyone complaining would be ridiculed. :-)
By doing this, you would insure higher rakes and more redeposits and no one would be the wiser.
I think when all is said and done, that many players who play online, when they move to live games, - and they may not even know why, other than the "old explanation" that you see so many more hands online, and that must be why you see so many more bad beats or strange anomalies in hands and the timing of those - will notice a big difference in live play. That's not to say they don't get sucked out on the river or lose boats to str8 flushes and quads etc., in live play, but it will feel different to them. I know it does to me.
Just my little conspiracy thought of the day :-) as well as for your reading amusement. :-)
cheers
bfb
An apt illustration into the thinking behind the fairness, or the integrity of gaming question, usually involves the rhetorical question, "why would they, they have so much to lose." But as most informed people know, certainly those with knowledge of Vegas and how casinos have an intimate relationship with the NGC, lots of shenanigans have taken place and when faced with the possibility of sanctions, none, or small ones, are forthcoming.
UB/AP I think, also put that question to rest, in that everyone now knows that lots of additional monies were taken from unsuspecting players. Granted, that didn't require any nefarious and high-tech programming designed to produce insidious results, but.....computers are programmed, and monitored, by people. It's not the computers, but the people behind them that create unethical situations, whether it's merely the use of a super-user password which can monitor things in real time, or advanced automatic computations being run as hidden services....
Now, I'm not a programmer, but other than that, I have a very strong background with computers and computer security. And I also know that lots of things can be programmed and many more can be flagged; if anyone doubts whether certain aspects of computing can't be used to identify patterns, and project outcomes with unbelievable accuracy, then they're either living in the dark ages or are just computer illiterates. They might want to run a google search on NSA algorithms - or do some research on the NSA, period.
The use of advanced algorithms in computer programs, shuffle master is a classic example, makes some things, very interesting, at least to me.
Now I know that people want to believe that all is well online, and I have no real reason to think otherwise, other than personally observing anomalies, at least to me :-) - but that is hardly reason enough to assume that insidious happenings are taking place.....Still, some things are hard to fathom.
If I (assuming I had the know how, and I don't) were to design a way to increase the overall profitability of an online poker site, through a nefarious computer program that was basically undetectable, i.e., where the rng could easily pass certification testing, it would be where I would rotate accounts, while those accounts were playing, and adjust when those accounts would have a slightly higher loss ratio. This would then merely be attributed to normal (or slightly higher than) variance by the individual player whose acct., in that mix, was flagged. Then after a time, move on to another set of accounts. At any one time, FTP has approx. 75K players online. 200 of 75K accts. a day, every day. Anyone complaining would be ridiculed. :-)
By doing this, you would insure higher rakes and more redeposits and no one would be the wiser.
I think when all is said and done, that many players who play online, when they move to live games, - and they may not even know why, other than the "old explanation" that you see so many more hands online, and that must be why you see so many more bad beats or strange anomalies in hands and the timing of those - will notice a big difference in live play. That's not to say they don't get sucked out on the river or lose boats to str8 flushes and quads etc., in live play, but it will feel different to them. I know it does to me.
Just my little conspiracy thought of the day :-) as well as for your reading amusement. :-)
cheers
bfb