AlpineRider
New member
I’ve been playing poker online for years, and I can’t shake the feeling that some platforms might be tweaking the odds to create more action at the tables. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying every site is rigged, but there are times when the way hands play out seems… questionable.
Take this for example: I was in a multi-table tournament recently, playing a solid strategy and steadily building my stack. Then, three hands in a row, short stacks shoved all-in with weak holdings, only to hit miraculous rivers that kept them alive. It’s hard not to feel like the system is designed to keep more players in the game longer—especially when the site benefits from maximizing rake.
I know this could just be variance, but it happens often enough to make me wonder if these algorithms are truly random. Most online poker platforms claim their RNGs (random number generators) are independently audited, but how transparent are these audits? And do they even account for scenarios where the algorithm prioritizes action-heavy gameplay over true randomness?
As someone who also plays live poker, I trust the randomness of physical cards much more than I do an algorithm. There’s something reassuring about being able to see and shuffle the deck yourself. Online, though, it feels like skilled players are at a disadvantage because the “crazy hands” often favor looser, luckier playstyles.
Another thing I’ve noticed is how frequently big hands collide in online games. For example, two players might both hit a full house in the same hand, or one gets a straight while another lands a flush. While these situations can happen live, the frequency online sometimes feels exaggerated, almost as if the algorithm is setting up dramatic scenarios.
Have you experienced anything like this? Do you think it’s just a matter of bad luck and variance, or is there a chance that some platforms are subtly manipulating outcomes to drive engagement? I’d love to hear your thoughts—especially if you’ve got your own examples or insight into how these algorithms actually work!
Take this for example: I was in a multi-table tournament recently, playing a solid strategy and steadily building my stack. Then, three hands in a row, short stacks shoved all-in with weak holdings, only to hit miraculous rivers that kept them alive. It’s hard not to feel like the system is designed to keep more players in the game longer—especially when the site benefits from maximizing rake.
I know this could just be variance, but it happens often enough to make me wonder if these algorithms are truly random. Most online poker platforms claim their RNGs (random number generators) are independently audited, but how transparent are these audits? And do they even account for scenarios where the algorithm prioritizes action-heavy gameplay over true randomness?
As someone who also plays live poker, I trust the randomness of physical cards much more than I do an algorithm. There’s something reassuring about being able to see and shuffle the deck yourself. Online, though, it feels like skilled players are at a disadvantage because the “crazy hands” often favor looser, luckier playstyles.
Another thing I’ve noticed is how frequently big hands collide in online games. For example, two players might both hit a full house in the same hand, or one gets a straight while another lands a flush. While these situations can happen live, the frequency online sometimes feels exaggerated, almost as if the algorithm is setting up dramatic scenarios.
Have you experienced anything like this? Do you think it’s just a matter of bad luck and variance, or is there a chance that some platforms are subtly manipulating outcomes to drive engagement? I’d love to hear your thoughts—especially if you’ve got your own examples or insight into how these algorithms actually work!