Collusion in poker—whether played in a dingy backroom or on a cutting-edge online platform—is the practice of two or more players secretly cooperating to manipulate game outcomes. In the digital realm, where avatars mask true identities and players can be continents apart, the potential for collusion can feel especially menacing. As someone who’s spent thousands of hours playing online poker tournaments and cash games, I’ve seen firsthand how colluding pairs can drain a table’s integrity. In this article, I’ll share insights from veteran dealers, security experts, and my own experiences to explain exactly how online casinos detect and thwart collusion. I’ll also touch on the rising trend of “betting sites not on GamStop” and why even those platforms can’t ignore robust anti-collusion strategies.
What Exactly Is Collusion and Why It Matters
In simple terms, collusion occurs when two or more players coordinate their actions to gain an unfair advantage. In a live game, you might spot subtle signals—like a short chip count being passed without explanation or synchronized betting patterns. Online, however, colluders can sit at neighboring computers in an internet café or use encrypted chat apps to share hole-card information. In either scenario, the goal is the same: to funnel chips from unsuspecting opponents into the colluding players’ pockets.
From a casino’s perspective, collusion undermines trust. Players log on expecting a fair fight, and if they suspect others are cheating, they’ll abandon the site. A few coordinated grinders who exploit multiple accounts can drain a table’s prize pool, chasing honest players away. In extreme cases, widespread collusion can force a reputable poker site to shut down entirely. That’s why operators invest heavily in sophisticated detection tools and human oversight to keep every game above board.
How Do Online Casinos Detect Collusion?
When you fire up an online poker room, you might assume that random seat assignments and encrypted communications are enough to deter cheaters. In reality, detecting collusion involves a multi-layered approach: advanced algorithms scan millions of hand histories, while dedicated security teams review suspicious behavior.
For instance, three-way collusion patterns often include: unusual chip transfers without rational betting patterns, players frequently folding strong hands in the same spots, or geographical overlaps that shouldn’t logically occur. Let’s consider a real case from a leading European poker room. A group of four players from the same city consistently sat in adjacent seats and “fantom folded” whenever the last two shared a pot. The software flagged that anomaly quickly, and the security team manually reviewed several hundred hands, confirming the collusion. All accounts involved were then immediately frozen, and winnings were confiscated.
For players seeking alternatives, some turn to betting sites not on GamStop, hoping less-regulated platforms might be more lenient. Yet even these niche sites implement anti-collusion measures because reputations hinge on maintaining a level playing field. In fact, smaller platforms sometimes act faster than large operators when collusion is suspected, simply because they can’t risk losing a tight-knit community of players.
Security Measures and Technology in Anti-Collusion
The battle against collusion is both technological and procedural. On the tech side, poker companies deploy real-time monitoring systems that parse data for statistical irregularities. Consider bet-sizing algorithms: if two players continually agree to bet or raise by identical (and sometimes unnatural) amounts in sequence, that could indicate coordinated planning. Likewise, timing patterns come under scrutiny. In a fair game, decision times vary based on hand strength and table dynamics. If two accounts always take exactly two seconds to call or fold when facing each other, that ping of predictability raises suspicion.
Beyond algorithms, many operators use machine learning models trained on historical collusion patterns. These models assign each player a “collusion risk score” based on factors like IP address clustering, unusual staking relationships (one account regularly backs another), and shared device fingerprints. When a score crosses a threshold, the account enters a “watchlist”—or is flagged for manual review by a dedicated security team.
I once spoke with a former security analyst at a major U.S. poker site who described how they used “honeypot tables.” These are specially monitored tables with higher security protocols and dummy accounts planted to lure colluders. If a suspect duo begins sharing information or making blatantly coordinated plays, the system instantly alerts an operator. Within minutes, both accounts can be locked down before significant damage is done.
Player Behavior Monitoring and Forensics
Technology alone can’t do it all. Human expertise remains critical. After a suspicious pattern emerges, seasoned security staff manually analyze hand histories, looking for telltale signs: identical bet sizing on marginal hands, systematic chip dumping (where one player deliberately loses chips to another), and improbable fold patterns. In certain cases, forensic experts will reconstruct entire sessions using video or chat logs (if available) to see if external communication channels were used.
Let’s say two players consistently avoid facing each other pre-flop when they hold strong hands, yet aggressively target every other player. That’s a red flag. The forensic team might notice that Player A always bets high when Player B has a marginal hand. By mapping these interactions, analysts can build a picture of collusive intent.
Sometimes, it’s as subtle as noticing that a supposed newcomer at a big stake table consistently steps down when a known pro enters the game. That might suggest a staking deal—where the pro is effectively playing with two accounts. Forensic teams cross-reference payment methods and account registration details to uncover these hidden partnerships.
Account Verification, IP Tracking, and Device Checks
In addition to monitoring gameplay, online casinos enforce stringent account verification and IP tracking. Every new player must pass Know Your Customer (KYC) checks: upload government-issued ID, proof of address, and sometimes a selfie for facial recognition. This discourages multi-accounting—colluders often use multiple aliases to hide their schemes. When a player attempts to register a second account with the same proof of address or a shared phone number, it triggers an immediate alert.
IP tracking adds another layer. If two accounts repeatedly log in from the same IP subnet—or, more subtly, from IPs that geolocate to the same household block—that’s suspicious, especially if those accounts frequently sit at the same table. Some operators employ geo-fencing to prevent players in the same physical location from playing in the same games. Even if casino laws in one region are lax, a robust operator will enforce these restrictions globally to curb collusion.
Device checks further complicate matters for cheaters. When you install a poker app, the software often generates a unique device fingerprint—details about your hardware, OS version, and even installed fonts. If you try to log into multiple accounts from the same device fingerprint, the system likely either blocks one account or demands additional verification.
Player Education, Community Reporting, and Transparency
A well-informed player base helps stop colluders in their tracks. Many reputable poker rooms have dedicated sections on their websites explaining what collusion is, how detection systems work, and how to report suspicious behavior. For example, if you’re mid-tournament and notice two players chanting identical bet signals or passing notes off-camera in a live stream, you can flag their seats immediately via the in-app report function. Most operators promise to investigate within 24 hours.
Community transparency plays a role too. Some sites publish regular “Security Summaries” that list major collusion attempts and the steps taken—without naming the cheated players. This not only reassures honest players that the operator takes security seriously but also warns would-be cheaters that they’re playing in a well-defended ecosystem.
I remember playing a high-stakes Sunday tournament when two mid-stakes regulars suddenly started acting strangely—folding every time they faced each other, yet targeting weaker players. Another player tapped me on the shoulder via chat, suggesting they’d flagged the duo. Within an hour, those accounts were banned for collusion, and the community received a public notice. That immediate transparency reinforced trust in the platform.
Challenges and Evolving Threats
Despite these robust measures, colluders are never static—they adapt. Some use “spoke-man” accounts on social media to signal table positions, or they use encrypted messengers to share hole cards in real-time. Creatively, they may sign up using mobile data rather than a shared home wifi to evade IP linking.
Operators continually update their detection algorithms, but it’s a cat-and-mouse game. One emerging tactic is multi-account “shill betting”: a single user buys multiple micro-stakes seats at the same table and then bets to artificially inflate pot sizes before his main account enters a big wager. Detecting that requires rapid session tracking, so the operator can see a cluster of sub-accounts fold in unison once the main account joins.
The shift of many gamblers to “betting sites not on GamStop” can present unique challenges too. While these non-GamStop sites often lack certain self-exclusion layers, they still face regulatory pressure to implement anti-collusion standards—especially if they seek licensing in new jurisdictions. Some smaller sites achieve this by outsourcing their security to third-party firms specializing in poker integrity. These firms run independent audits and certify that the site maintains proper safeguards, giving players confidence even outside major regulated markets.
The Future of Anti-Collusion in Online Poker
As technology advances, the war against collusion intensifies. Blockchain-based solutions are already being piloted, where each hand’s outcome is recorded on a tamper-proof ledger. In such a model, any attempt to manipulate game data becomes immediately visible, since every card dealt and every chip movement has a time-stamped entry. While full-scale blockchain poker may still be a few years away, hybrid implementations—such as using blockchain for key security events—will likely become mainstream.
Artificial intelligence also promises to elevate detection. Next-generation machine learning models can analyze not only in-game patterns but also external data—social media, forum posts, and even metadata from suspicious websites advertising collusion rings. Some security experts predict that soon, operators will run “collusion prediction engines,” which assign real-time risk scores to every active table. If a session’s risk score passes a threshold, the table may be automatically paused for manual review.
Even as these technologies mature, one thing remains constant: the human element. Skilled security analysts, experienced dealers reviewing hand histories, and an engaged player community will always be central to rooting out collusion. Talk to any veteran poker pro, and they’ll tell you that no algorithm replaces the gut feeling when something “just isn’t right” at a table.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving world of online poker, collusion stands as a formidable threat to fairness and player trust. Yet casinos aren’t powerless; through a combination of advanced algorithms, rigorous account verification, IP and device tracking, and vigilant human oversight, operators keep deceptive schemes at bay. Whether you’re playing high-stakes tournaments or casual micro-games, rest assured that the multi-layered anti-collusion measures employed by reputable sites make digital tables as fair as their brick-and-mortar counterparts—if not fairer.
For players exploring less-regulated domains—such as betting sites not on GamStop—remember that integrity still matters. Even platforms outside major self-exclusion programs invest heavily in security to retain loyal customers. As colluders develop new strategies, operators will adapt, ensuring that honest players continue to enjoy online poker without worrying about hidden alliances lurking behind avatars.
