Is Online Poker Rigged?

Players generally, and maybe you specifically, often ask the question, Is online poker rigged? The answer is a resounding no as long as you’re sticking to licensed, reputable sites to play at. If the game is a virtual one, these casinos use Random Number Generators, or RNGs, to guarantee free play, and the independent audits done on them confirm their integrity. In live dealer games, you can actually see what’s going on, so any sleight of hand will be noticed at once. Learning how to play poker will help you understand the question about whether online poker is rigged or not.

How Does Randomness Work in Online Poker?

If you’re wondering how rigged online poker is, the answer lies in the RNG technology. This is used by reputable online casinos offering poker, and it deals and shuffles cards totally randomly so that it can guarantee fairness for every hand. Independent organisations regularly test and certify these systems to make sure no outcome is being manipulated.

What is RNG (Random Number Generation)?

Random Number Generation is a process that creates sequences of numbers that are totally arbitrary and which cannot be reasonably predicted.

Understanding the Basics of Online Poker Fairness

The answer to the question, Is online poker rigged for action? will depend on where you’ve decided to play the game. In the case of licensed, trusted casinos like the ones we recommend, the answer is no, and there is provably fair RNG running all the time in the background of each game to ensure that results are 100% random.

How Online Poker is Licensed and Regulated

Proper licensing and regulation are critical when it comes to making certain that online poker games are fair. The list of reputable regulatory authorities includes the UKGC, the MGA, and the GCC, and these oversee operators to ensure that all games are fair, along with the fact that your funds are safe and responsible gambling practices are in place. 

RNGs are in place to make sure that poker cards are being shuffled properly and dealt fairly, and casinos won’t be able to get a license unless they have them in place. They need to be frequently tested, too, by companies like iTech Labs and eCOGRA, independent arbiters.

Why Licensing and Jurisdiction Matter

When fairness, integrity, and security in online and mobile poker games come into play, jurisdiction and licensing are vital. These are what determine the rules and regulations that the site offering the games has to follow, and where you’re legal protection lies. 

When a casino is properly licensed, it has to have proved that it’s adhering to strict requirements, including the use of certified RNGs to make certain that all gameplay is fair. These RNGs undergo frequent audits by independent third-party organisations to confirm that they are indeed random, and this can provide you with the trust you need to play with peace of mind that the games are not rigged. Unlicensed sites, however, do not undergo this level of oversight, so the risk of unfair practices is increased. 

Above and beyond this, licensing bodies hold up rules about your funds and personal information being protected. To keep their licenses, operators have to keep players’ funds separate so that you won’t have any issues accessing your winnings even if the site runs into a problem financially. Licensed sites also have to employ state-of-the-art encryption to protect your financial and personal information. 

If you’re playing at a licensed poker site and something goes wrong, you’ll be able to turn to the relevant regulatory body for resolution. This means legal recourse in the case of disputes, and it ensures that any and all complaints are handled transparently and fairly. In contrast to this, unlicensed sites don’t provide the same legal protection, so you’ll have no official way to resolve serious issues. 

Responsible gambling is another important reason as to why licensing and jurisdiction matter. Licensed sites have to provide responsible gambling tools, an array that includes the ability to set limits on your deposits, the option to self-exclude if you want or need to, and access to support for problematic gambling. 

Lastly, the reputation of the licensing jurisdiction plays a vital role in determining whether the poker site is trustworthy or not. Respected jurisdictions like the UK, Malta, and Gibraltar have established their reputation for online gambling regulation and ensuring that their licensees are following industry standards. A valid license from one of these authorities signals that the casino operates transparently and sticks to fair practices. 

The licensing and jurisdiction of an online poker casino are vital when it comes to making sure that you’re going to have a secure, trustworthy playing experience. When you choose a licensed site, you can be confident that you’re playing somewhere that prioritises fairness, player protection, and security.

Online Poker Sites: Why They Want a Fair Game

Maybe you’re still wondering how online poker is rigged, but the fact of the matter is that reputable online poker sites have a strong motivation to ensure games are fair. Transparent gaming environments are crucial for building trust and building up a loyal base of players. Should you feel that the games are rigged against you and the results are being manipulated, you’re likely to leave and say something about it on a public forum. This will damage the casino’s reputation and, as a result, its profitability too. 

For online casinos that offer poker, ensuring fairness goes far beyond just making certain that they’re compliant with regulatory requirements. A reputation for a fair game environment will attract new players while it simultaneously encourages repeat business. You’re that much more likely to stay at a site where you know you’re not being manipulated! Sites that tamper with games, on the other hand, run the very real risk of getting blacklisted and losing their player base to competitors who understand why fairness is just a better idea all round. 

Casinos rely on their good reputations, and offering fair games is the only way to ensure that what people say about them is positive. Rigged game systems inevitably lead to credibility loss, customers leaving, and, ultimately, profits disappearing. At the end of the day, fair gameplay is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s also a clever way to conduct your business. 

The Case For Online Poker Being Rigged

Although the vast majority of online poker sites operate completely fairly, there are still players out there asking, why is online poker rigged? This is a suspicion that frequently arises because of a negative playing experience, like losses on hands that seemed guaranteed to win or long streaks of bad luck. But it’s important to think about the difference between genuine, reasonable concerns and a lack of understanding about the game’s variance. 

One of the chief arguments for the belief that online poker is rigged arises from the idea that certain poker hands and certain outcomes are so unlikely that they simply can’t be random. You may sometimes feel that you’re on the losing side of a pattern that would be impossible to replicate live. But this is a high-variance game, and losing and winning streaks are frequently found both online and off. Bad runs don’t equal rigging. 

You may also feel that online poker sites, especially those that aren’t under any regulatory body’s oversight, may manipulate game results to increase their profits. While there have been cases of unregulated casinos getting involved in less-than-transparent practices, you won’t have this problem if you stick to reputable sites, however. You can be sure they’re adhering to stringent regulations about fairness. 

The belief that online poker is rigged often stems from a lack of understanding of variance or experiences on untrustworthy sites. While there have been cases of rigging on unlicensed and dodgy sites, if a site is licensed, you can rest assured that their games aren’t rigged. And if your string of bad luck seems never-ending, then perhaps it’s time to take a break!

The Case Against Online Poker Being Rigged

Although the belief by some players that online poker is rigged is understandable, there are strong arguments against this idea. Trustworthy casinos offering poker, like the ones we recommend, are committed to fairness since it’s vital for maintaining a loyal player base and being able to hold your own in this crowded market. 

Licensed poker sites use RNGs to ensure that the poker cards are being shuffled and dealt randomly, the same way they would be in a brick-and-mortar place to play. These RNG systems get tested regularly and are audited by independent third parties. If any irregularities come to light, the site runs the risk of losing its license, facing financial penalties, or being shut down entirely. There are significant consequences for unfair practices of any kind. 

Plus, sites that offer online poker are heavily regulated by international authorities that impose strict rules on fairness. Were a site caught rigging games, it would immediately lose whatever reputation it had managed to build, players’ trust and business, and its actual legal standing. 

Another vital point is that poker, by its nature, is a high-variance game. It’s very common for you to experience extended periods of bad luck, and this can occasionally make you feel like the game is rigged against you. But these losing streaks are just a part of the unpredictability of the game and don’t necessarily indicate manipulation. You need to remember that poker may be somewhat about the cards that you get dealt, but it’s also about skill, strategy, and even psychology.

Why Does It Seem Like Online Poker Is Rigged?

If you can’t keep the question of online poker sites rigged out of your mind, take note of whether you’ve had a string of bad beats or are just down on your luck. This is because this is a perception that the high variance of poker can cause, and you need to remember that even the best players are at the mercy of luck. Poker is unpredictable, even online, and if you’re playing at a licensed site, you don’t have to worry about the game being stacked against you. 

Poker is a game of odds, and, even when you’re playing optimally, you may experience a losing streak. This can be a very frustrating situation, especially if you keep losing even after making the absolutely correct playing decision time after time. This kind of situation can frequently be perceived as rigging, but it’s just the variance that is inherent in all poker games and their variations online and in the real world. 

Another factor that contributes to the idea of online poker being rigged is the speed and volume at which internet-based games are played. Unlike in the case of live games, online virtual poker is a lot faster, so you play more games, which can see you feeling like you’re being dealt bad hands more often. In live poker, the pace slows down, and you may not then be noticing how frequently particular cards come up. Virtual games can make you feel like something is off because they play out so quickly, even when cards are 100% random and being fairly dealt. 

You may also be misinterpreting the situation. Maybe you’ve just lost a hand to a fellow player that has hit an unlikely straight or flush on the river—this can make you feel like the game is being manipulated. But this is actually a relatively common occurrence during poker games and is precisely due to the randomness of the deck, not the opposite. 

To answer the question, are online poker sites rigged, the answer is no. Those available at licensed, reputable online sites are perfectly safe to play and are regularly tested to ensure that the RNG is running as it should.

Dispelling the Myth

You may have found that many players, and even yourself included, are asking why is online poker rigged based on personal experiences of losses that seemed impossible or long streaks of bad luck. But this belief stems from a deep misunderstanding about how the game works and its inherent variance. 

Reputable online casinos’ games are not rigged; it’s as simple as that. They have to operate under the strictest regulations that have been put in place to secure transparency and fairness. Licensed sites use RNGs that are tested and certified fair by independent auditors, and this guarantees that every hand you get dealt is 100% random. 

When it comes down to why it feels like online poker is rigged, the answer can also lie in the game’s variance. Poker is based on odds, and even the world’s finest players experience unexpected losses. Because you’re playing at a faster pace and so playing more hands when you play online or on your mobile device, these natural streaks can seem more pronounced. What is actually a series of unfortunate events can make it feel like something is operating against you, but it’s truly just part of the unpredictability of the game. 

Another factor that contributes to the belief that online poker is rigged is that we tend to remember bad hands more vividly than we do the good ones, and this skews our perception. This kind of selective memory can lead to paranoia about games being rigged when it’s actually just poker’s natural ebb and flow. 

The myth that online poker is rigged is exactly that: a false belief. The casinos we recommend you play at adhere to strict standards of fairness, and the outcomes are as random as they would be in a live setting. Understanding poker’s variance and what role RNGs play can help dispel your doubts because it allows you to focus on the skill and poker strategy you need to put into play to succeed.

What About Poker Bots, Collusion, and SuperUsers?

While most online poker sites are not rigged, concerns about poker bots, collusion, and superusers can still arise. These practices can undermine the integrity of the game, but reputable sites work hard to prevent them. Poker bots are software programs that play poker automatically using algorithms. Though they can give players an unfair advantage, licensed sites invest in software that monitors activity and identifies suspicious patterns. Accounts using bots are banned, ensuring fair play.

Collusion happens when players work together to manipulate the game, such as by sharing hands or signalling each other. This kind of cheating is actively monitored by licensed poker sites, which use advanced algorithms and surveillance tools to detect and prevent it. Suspicious behaviour is flagged, and those involved are penalised or banned.

Superusers, who can see more information than other players, are a serious threat to fairness. Fortunately, reputable poker sites use encryption and auditing systems to prevent such accounts. The chances of encountering superusers are extremely low, as sites actively protect against this kind of unfair advantage.

Though these issues can occur, licensed online poker sites are heavily regulated and have advanced technology in place to detect and prevent cheating. If you suspect foul play, you can report it, and the site will investigate. The integrity of the game is a priority for most online poker platforms, which continuously improve their systems to ensure fair play for all users.

Past Online Cheating Scandals

While online poker is rigged for action in rare cases, past scandals often highlight individual players using unfair methods. One notable incident involved GGPoker’s 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and Online Player of the Year (POY), Gianluca “Gianluca” Lapis. He was suspended for allegedly using multiple accounts to manipulate outcomes during online events. This kind of behaviour is strictly prohibited on licensed poker sites. The suspension of a high-profile player like Lapis shows that online poker sites take cheating seriously, ensuring the integrity of the game.

Is It Possible for Poker Sites to Cheat?

While it’s technically possible for poker sites to manipulate games, reputable, licensed platforms use strict regulations and technology to ensure fairness. Sites are required to use certified RNGs and undergo regular audits to prevent any form of manipulation. Any attempt to rig games would result in severe penalties, including losing their license. So, the chances of a licensed site cheating are virtually non-existent, as their reputation and legal standing depend on maintaining a fair gaming environment.

How You Can Find Out for Yourself  If A Site Is Safe

If you’re concerned that online poker is rigged, there are steps you can take to find out for yourself how likely this is. Choose only licensed, regulated sites with positive player reviews to spend time at. Make sure the casino is using certified RNGs and that audits by independent third parties are in place. If your gut tells you something is off, and you’ve checked all these boxes, make sure to report your suspicions to the site itself for investigation. 

How to Find Good Online Poker Sites

If you’re looking for a reliable online and mobile poker site, you’ve come to the right place! Our experts thoroughly investigate each of the casinos we end up endorsing, and they only make it through if they pass every one of our tests. If, however, you come across a casino in the wild and you’re tempted to try what it’s offering, remember to look for positive reviews, good customer support, and a variety of secure payment options.

You Are the Customer: You Have the Power

As a player, you have the power to choose where you play, which means you can avoid sites with poor reputations. If you’re wondering how rigged is online poker, always stick to licensed, regulated platforms with positive reviews and transparent practices. You can report suspicious activity, and if a site is found to be unfair, players can choose to move their business elsewhere. Your choices influence the industry, so always opt for trusted sites to ensure a fair game.

Online Poker Is Not Rigged, But You Should Be Careful!

While are online poker sites rigged is a common question, most licensed platforms are fair and operate with certified RNGs. However, not all sites are trustworthy. To ensure a safe gaming experience, always choose licensed and regulated sites with positive reviews and transparent practices. Avoid untrustworthy platforms that might not follow industry standards, and make sure to report any suspicious activity to maintain the integrity of the game.

To improve your skills, focus on strategy and understanding the game rather than worrying about how online poker is rigged. Reputable, licensed sites use fair RNGs, so success depends on your skills. Learn the rules, practice regularly, and stay focused on making smart decisions. The more you improve your game, the less you’ll need to worry about rigged outcomes.

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Is online poker rigged? We can confidently tell you that it’s not, as long as it’s being played at a licensed, regulated site that’s using certified RNG software to ensure random game results.