Don't play at Absolute Poker

[Jeremy517]

Cliff notes: Pull your money out of Absolute. You aren't likely to have been cheated unless you play high stakes, but there is a good chance that Absolute will go belly up soon.

The story
Shortest version: Absolute really is rigged in some games

Slightly longer version: Absolute has super user accounts which can see all hole cards. One was caught, and was most likely being used by the CEO of Absolute.

Very good summary, but doesn't include the details about how the CEO was nailed: http://www.neverwinpoker.com/forums/...howtopic=44393. If you are only going to read one thing, read the timeline. Note: contains some speculation.

Even more info: http://www.absolutepokercheats.com/

Still more info, with the links to the CEO about 150+ posts in: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...0&fpart=1&vc=1

Part of the damning hand history: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...page=0&fpart=1

[El Scorcho]

I've been following this for weeks now but one thing I don't agree with is Absolute going belly up. Sure, they'll likely lose a lot of their poker-forum-reading clientele but a vast majority of their user base will never hear of this story ever.

They are an unregulated company operating outside of any real jurisdiction that could punish them.

I will continue playing at absolute because of their non-stop bonuses and rakeback but I'm certainly not leaving any major amount of money in there.

[Jeremy517]

I don't think it is for sure that they'll go belly up, but I'd say it is maybe 50/50. They're certainly going to lose all their high-volume players.

[Deftones]

OH NOES, Mark Seif might go somewhere else!

They don't have any more big US pros that play there anymore, to my knowledge. They are focused on international players.

I have money there right now, but I'm going to pull most of it. I've been following this today thanks to linkage by ES earlier today.

I will say that while the evidence is completely overwhelming that someone cheated, that's not what concerns me. It's the fact that AP has allegedly looked into the incident and brushed it off as there being no cheating involved. That's the scary part to me. Means this cheating might be throughout the rank and file there.

[El Scorcho]

For what it's worth, this has been ongoing for a few weeks now and their player levels have remained unchanged, for the most part. I can't wait to see what it does in the next 21 days.

http://pokersitescout.com/SiteDetail...r&ab=299103843

[Jeremy517]

Originally Posted by Deftones

OH NOES, Mark Seif might go somewhere else!

Mark Seif doesn't qualify has a high-volume player. Also, since he is buddies with the CEO and most likely either has used the superuser account, or has gotten info from the superuser account, I don't think this news comes as a surprise to Mark

I was thinking of the numerous people that play many mid to high stakes games at a time. But I guess they might not have many of those to begin with...

[Deftones]

I know, I was joking.

[atari2600]

i used to play at AP - glad i left awhile ago.

i havent read the articles but damn, if thats true, thats horrible. i know for a fact that their blackjack is rigged for sure. (maybe not but its freaking horrible)

[jdodd]

Originally Posted by atari2600

i know for a fact that their blackjack is rigged for sure. (maybe not but its freaking horrible)

[berserker37]

Originally Posted by El Scorcho

For what it's worth, this has been ongoing for a few weeks now and their player levels have remained unchanged, for the most part. I can't wait to see what it does in the next 21 days.

http://pokersitescout.com/SiteDetail...r&ab=299103843

First of all, as for the player level remaining unchanged, I thought the same thing at first, just looking at the AP lobby numbers. But if you look at the high stakes games, it is pretty much a ghost town. Tempting to get in on some potential overlays in the tournaments, but I just don't want AP to get another dime of my money. My withdrawals are pending, hope they go through OK.



I've been following this story also, especially over the last week or so.

Here's a good write-up:

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.co...pen/#more-1986

(Some good links in the comments there also.)


And especially good is Nat Arem's blog:

http://www.natarem.com/?p=158


The most recent shocking revelation is: The Potripper account belongs to AJ Green, former Director of Operations at AP and Scott Tom's best friend. AJ Green is currently VP of operations at nine.com.


Fascinating story, I will continue to watch as it develops.

[pedagogue]

Ahh...the power of the internet....scary, huh?

-p

[pedagogue]

I wonder if this will hurt/help the people trying to get off-shore gambling back in the US (legally).

-p

[Deftones]

Originally Posted by pedagogue

I wonder if this will hurt/help the people trying to get off-shore gambling back in the US (legally).

-p

It's a 50/50 split. Half think this will kill any chance to legalize/regulate online poker here in the US. The other half think this is exactly why the government should be getting involved and regulating it, to prevent this type of cheating.

[pedagogue]

I really hope it helps, I hate the local poker places, they are full of idiots and....idiots. Let me play in peace.

-p

[Deftones]

Just posted on one of the big poker forums.

Just posted at P5s.

PocketFives just received a phone call from Absolute Poker confirming the suspicions of the online poker community over the past month. While we need to be vague in this post to respect their wishes, we can say that their systems were compromised, and that they are prepared to provide the details in a statement coming shortly.

Part of the statement will include a plan to refund players affected by this compromise.

We are extremely relieved to hear this outcome, as our most important goal in all this is to see justice given to those who were cheated in this process. Pocketfives is extremely proud to have played a part in the process of uncovering the impropriety that has occurred. We would of course like to thank all the other parties who played a key role in this process—specifically the folks that have been posting here and at twoplustwo.com.

This is great news for everyone. Keep your eyes out for the statement.

Extremely Relieved,

--Adam

http://www.pocketfives.com/18B87A4F-...9C725E0FA.aspx

[atari2600]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21381022/?GT1=10450

wow, now AP is saying it was hacked by an employee of AP to "show that it could be done"

give me a damn break...nice try AP but no one is buying your BS story.

[mgbfan]

Man, so sorry I haven't played there in ages ...