Lots of buzz about "superuser" accounts at Absolute Poker

[The Buzz]

PokerNews has posted one of many stories which report on speculation that there are "superusers" at Absolute Poker who can see opponents' hole cards.

What sparked the controversy is a frankly remarkable call made by POTDRIPPER in a high buy in tournament, where they called an on the turn with 9-10 when their opponent was holding 9-2 for a busted flush draw. POTDRIPPER went on to win the tournament.

AP has suspended the accounts in question and is conducting an investigation.

http://uk.pokernews.com/news/2007/9/...-superuser.htm

[MrKay]

I cant seem to view the original article, but this story has already flooded the net.

I really hope this turns out to be untrue, stories like this don't do any of us any favours.

[Amateur]

I have been known to accuse players of using "hacks" at that site. Some of the plays are unbelievable!!

I play at AP a lot.

I might add that it's not just the calls they make when I accuse someone. Usually the players take an excess amount of time to call on each and every bet!! Waiting for the software to load. Ppl playing 2 or 3 tables may take extra time, but not on every bet. These ppl always do. It gets to be a pattern that becomes obvious.

[The Buzz]

I cant seem to view the original article, but this story has already flooded the net.

Some sites (Buzzy isn't naming names) have a nasty habit of removing stories that paint their sponsors in a negative light, Buzzy can only assume that this occurs after they have been confronted by the sponsor ...

[Amateur]

If you want to read a little more on this, here's a link to an article:

http://www.poker-king.com/poker-king...hp?article=252

[AceHigh Pino]

Some sites (Buzzy isn't naming names) have a nasty habit of removing stories that paint their sponsors in a negative light, Buzzy can only assume that this occurs after they have been confronted by the sponsor ...

Buzzy may not be naming names, but I'm sure if you're a serious affiliate you know which ones have done this. And in my opinion it really doesn't matter what sites choose to take down or leave up certain articles pertaining to this type of subject matter.

It's not our job to police the internet and determine who's right and wrong, who's guilty and who's not -- we're affiliates and we do a job to make sure we can provide products to our players and to make sure we can pay the bills every month. Let AP figure out the controversy, not us.

I am NOT a businessman -- I am the business, man -- so let me do my business....DAMN.

[Notspot]

.....

[matted]

This kind of thing is never good news... I thought the question about bots and such was well behind the industry. I suspect it will be found to be untrue. I am not the best poker player - and as a result I make stupid 'mistakes'. Sometimes, string 2 or 3 of these together and I look brilliant.

[ck8795]

Absolute had made a statement regarding it already a couple of days ago saying that is was a handful of players and only a handfull of hands, nothing that could even begin to substantiate these rumours

I so think that the affiliates who were quick to jump on the bandwagon and say that Absolute was rigged really didnt add to the issue. I received enough emails from forums who were really quick at pointing fingers. I understand news is news but when it's something like this that cant even be backed up is just utter BS for everyone in the industry.

[Amateur]

I have been known to accuse players of using "hacks" at that site. Some of the plays are unbelievable!!

I play at AP a lot.

I might add that it's not just the calls they make when I accuse someone. Usually the players take an excess amount of time to call on each and every bet!! Waiting for the software to load. Ppl playing 2 or 3 tables may take extra time, but not on every bet. These ppl always do. It gets to be a pattern that becomes obvious.

I stand by what I said. I play there nearly every day at some point, even if just a quick sitngo, or a few hands on the tables. Not seeking info is doing a disservice to players I have recommended to this site. I'm not accusing AP of anything, however, I still would like a categoric denial from AP regarding the "superuser account" issue. The idea that such an account can even exists for any reason is troubling.

Make a statement and reassure players, so I can do the same! In the real world such things matter.

[The Buzz]

Steven Levitt gave his take of the situation in a recent post on his NY Times blog.

I don’t know whether these cheating allegations are true, because all the information I am getting is third-hand. The poker players I’ve talked to all believe it to be true. Regardless, I bet these guys wish they had it to do over. If they had just been smart about it, they could have milked this gig forever, winning at reasonable rates. For the stakes they were playing, they could have gotten very rich, and their scheme would have been nearly undetectable.

Levitt also mentions that he's working for another poker room to develop a model to make sure that this could never happen. Doesn't mention the room, but Buzzy's betting it's PokerStars.

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.co...-not-to-cheat/

[Amateur]

That post was very interesting and informative. It explained things very well, and some of the respondents had some insight that was helpful as well.

Thanks for the link.

[Amateur]

Response from AP:

Dear E,

Thank you for your email regarding alleged fraudulent player activity. We have been following the forums closely and are aware of your concern.

First, we’d like to assure you that a ‘super-user’ account does not exist. Absolute Poker was created by poker players who value security and fair play. The backend of the Absolute Poker software makes it impossible for such an account to function. Our game client only receives data regarding an individual’s hand and no other player hole cards are ever visible – by anyone – except in the event of a showdown.

With that said, we take any allegation of wrongdoing extremely seriously and we sincerely value your concern. We have temporarily frozen the accounts of the players in question while we continue our extensive investigation. At this point, we have found no evidence of wrongdoing. However, given the seriousness of these allegations, our investigation will go on.

Our fraud department has combed through all hands involving the accounts that were mentioned in the online forum. Please note that the examples mentioned in the forum present only a small snapshot of each player’s activity. Our ongoing investigation continues to show that the long-term success rates of these players aren’t in line with what the forum suggests.

Fair play and security are as important to Absolute Poker management and staff as they are to our players. Our fraud department is dedicated to ensuring that everyone on the site has a fair opportunity to win. We stand by the results of our random number generator and we take great pride in our game client security.

Absolute Poker remains a 100% secure place to play. We value all of our players and we will continue to provide our community with a safe, secure and exciting online poker experience.

Thank you, once again, for your email. If we can be of any other assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Alexander
Team Absolute ~ Security & Control Department
Phone: 1.877.887.6537
"To Continue to be the best and most trusted"
Security@AbsolutePoker.Com

We’re Here To Stay! All Players Welcome!