Online poker has brought the excitement of live games to players around the world. With just a device and an internet connection, you can join a poker table anytime. However, like any digital space involving money, online poker has its risks—particularly from bots and collusion.
Bots are computer programs designed to play poker automatically, while collusion happens when two or more players secretly work together to gain an unfair advantage. Both forms of cheating can drain your bankroll and ruin your experience.
The good news? You can take steps to protect yourself. In this blog, we’ll break down how bots and collusion work, how to spot them, and what you can do to stay safe at the virtual poker table.
Understanding the Threats
What Are Poker Bots?
Poker bots are software programs built to play poker hands using pre-programmed strategies. Some bots are simple and easy to beat, but advanced bots can use large databases and decision-making algorithms to play better than many humans.
They don’t get tired, emotional, or distracted. Over time, a well-programmed bot can slowly profit by consistently making optimal plays, especially in lower-stakes games where players are less experienced.
What Is Collusion?
Collusion occurs when two or more players at the same table share information about their cards or coordinate their play to maximize collective winnings. They might signal each other through chat, use voice calls, or sit in the same room.
Collusion gives players a significant edge because they gain insight into more of the deck, make better folds or calls, and trap unsuspecting opponents.
Signs You Might Be Playing Against a Bot
- Always Playing the Same Way – Bots stick to specific strategies and rarely deviate. If a player always raises or folds in similar spots without variation, it could be a bot.
- No Chat or Social Interaction – Bots won’t engage in normal chat behavior. If a player never responds, never talks, and always acts immediately or with perfectly timed delays, be suspicious.
- 24/7 Activity – Humans need breaks. If a player is active all day and night without rest, it’s likely a bot or account shared between users (also against most site rules).
- Fast, Mechanical Decisions – Bots often act with the same rhythm every hand. No hesitation, no quick reactions—just calculated moves every time.
Signs of Possible Collusion
- Suspicious Folding Patterns – If players fold strong hands when another specific player bets or raises, they may be trying to help that player win.
- Strange Betting Behavior – Watch for players who seem to avoid competing against each other, only going head-to-head with others at the table.
- Multiple Players From the Same Location – Some poker sites display your opponent’s country or IP. If several players from the same area sit at the same table consistently, that’s a red flag.
- Chip Dumping – If one player consistently loses big pots to another in situations that make no strategic sense, it could be intentional chip passing.
How to Protect Yourself
Play on Reputable Sites
The first and most important step is to play on trusted, licensed poker platforms. Reputable online poker sites real money have systems in place to detect bots and collusion using advanced algorithms, pattern analysis, and human review teams. They also ban accounts found cheating and refund affected players when possible.
Mix Up Your Game Selection
Don’t always play at the same stake, format, or time of day. Bots and colluding groups tend to target specific games, especially low- to mid-stakes tables where they can blend in more easily. Mixing up your sessions makes you a harder target.
Use Tracking Software Carefully
Tracking tools like HUDs (Heads-Up Displays) help identify suspicious patterns over time. While some poker sites limit HUD use, many allow it. A sudden change in a player’s win rate, aggression levels, or unusual folds can raise red flags.
Just make sure to follow the rules of your site—using banned software can get your account suspended.
Report Suspicious Activity
Most poker platforms have a support or reporting feature. If you suspect a player is a bot or part of a collusion ring, report them. Provide hand history details, notes, or screenshots if possible.
These reports help the poker room investigate and improve its detection systems.
Avoid Multi-Tabling Against the Same Opponents
If you’re playing multiple tables and notice the same usernames appearing across all of them, it may be best to leave those tables. Bots and colluders often use multi-tabling to maximize their impact.
Limit Chat and Keep Notes
Avoid giving away your strategy or habits through chat. Take notes on suspicious players during your session. Over time, patterns may become more obvious and actionable.
The Future of Detection
As bots become more advanced, poker platforms are fighting back with better security tools. Machine learning, behavioral analysis, and in-game monitoring are helping sites detect even the most sophisticated cheaters.
Newer platforms are also adopting blockchain-based fairness systems and AI audits to create transparent and tamper-resistant environments.
Final Thoughts
Bots and collusion can take the fun and fairness out of online poker, but being informed and alert makes a big difference. By playing on reputable sites, watching for warning signs, and reporting anything suspicious, you protect not just your bankroll but the integrity of the game.
Online poker is still a great way to test your skills, enjoy some competition, and even profit—just make sure you’re playing against real people, not scripts and secret alliances. Stay sharp, trust your instincts, and most of all, enjoy the game.
