Catching up with online news

Thank you to all the listeners who have been keeping us up to date with the ongoing Absolute Poker situation, where many people are claiming a player who won a large tournament had access to every player's hole cards. I haven't posted about it because frankly I haven't (and likely won't) have the time to investigate it to my satisfaction, and I'm always squeamish about linking to rumors (darn those journalistic ethics!). But it's reached a point where it's THE story in the poker world, so we need to at least acknowledge it here.

I'll admit: the evidence being put forth certainly looks damaging. But as my high school track coach reminded us often, "Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear."  I offer that sage advice not to sway anyone from fleeing Absolute, or to persuade anyone that the opinions they've developed based on what they've seen or heard should be abandoned.

Instead, I offer it as a reminder of the mantra you'll hear me refer to on the show often, whether the issue is collusion, RCG shuffling, hacked passwords or "action" decks: ONLINE POKER IS THE WILD, WILD WEST. We can (and should) raise our voices to make sure any and all nefarious behavior is stamped out in the online poker world, but at the end of the day, if you chose to log on to an online poker site, transfer money into it and play for money, you absolutely, unequivocally, must assume all responsibility for the risks inherent. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the online poker kitchen.

I'll get off my soapbox now to chime in on reports that Doyle's Room is returning to the U.S. market. The site has posted no official news confirming it, so I'm trusting fellow poker journalists on it (but not linking to any stories). But if it does prove to be correct, my opinion is we're seeing a changing landscape for online poker.

Doyle's Room left the U.S. market not out of corporate fear for prosecution like so many other lily-livered sites, but rather because its supporting operations turned the other cheek and made it far too difficult for Doyle to continue. There may be multiple reasons why Doyle is coming back, but I have to wonder if poker's great warrior has sensed weakness, and like a great poker player, isn't missing that opportunity to take advantage of that. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act regulations arrived several months late, and posed more questions than they answered. With comment periods and transition periods ahead, the mechanism to enforce the law may be years away. Has the government let Doyle "catch up" on this particular hand? Again, we can only wonder. But it sure is fun to wonder, isn't it?

- SCOTT

Comments

[Rasputin]

You're a little slow on the uptake here.

The evidence isn't damaging it's pretty much irrefutable. That and Absolute has already admitted that someone was cheating.

The only argument now is who did it and who knew about it.

[andew]

http://www.highstakesreport.com/articles/absolute-poker-scandal-become-big-news/

this site somes up what happened pretty well.

[Short-Stacked Shamus]

I don't disagree with the "online poker is the Wild, Wild West" theory. I don't like it much, either.

I'm not breaking any laws by playing online poker. Why should I be okay with others breaking the law & taking advantage of me when I do?

[daedalus]

spammers are back. Time for Round 2 Chris. At least it's better than Webkinz spam.

The Doyle news is very interesting. If Party Poker came back would you finally get a PC and dump the MAC?

BTW did you catch Poker after Dark this week. Kind of a return to Greatness for that show with the line up and play they had. Really good poker. Doyle's game was just unreal.

[viii_ball]

Absolute has admitted in an official statement that there was a breach in security. No rumor. Here is their announcement:

Dear valued player,

Absolute Poker has identified an internal security breach that compromised our systems for a limited period of time. The cause of the breach has been determined and completely resolved. In addition, all necessary resources, both internal and external, have been engaged to ensure this does not happen again. Our investigation is not fully concluded, and we wish to thank the extended poker community for any and all assistance related to the matter.

Game integrity has always and continues to be of the utmost importance at Absolute Poker. The Management of Absolute Poker is appalled by these findings, and is committed to our players and to the integrity of our site and the online poker industry.

All players affected by the security breach will be identified during the audit process that has been initiated and all funds, including interest, will be returned. Absolute Poker would like to apologize for the recent events and is committed to diligently working with outside security firms, auditing firms, the extended poker community and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission to ensure the situation is entirely resolved.

A comprehensive statement will be forthcoming shortly providing more details of the situation.

[viii_ball]

Doyles Room is officially back in the US market. I am in the US and reenabled my account there on Friday. I even spoke to their support staff and they confirmed US players are again welcome. I think this is because Doyle's Room changed software and is no longer part of the Tribecca network which is who pulled from the US market.

[Erwin Blonk]

And how often have non-texas holdem games been involved in cheating, bots, multiple accounting and other foul play? I feel pretty safe from cheating playing online (playing dime stakes might have to do something with that too ;) ).

[Paboo]

Erwin...

LOL.. That makes me remember why I'm still using NetScape mail instead of Outlook. No viruses on NetScape.

Hmmm.. Is Doyle at risk for being arresting now? Them is muddy waters and I don't see why he would want to test them.

Paboo

[Gambit]

FYI, out of curiosity I checked with customer support at Doyle's Room and they do not offer badugi on the new platform.

[viii_ball]

Pabbo wrote: Hmmm.. Is Doyle at risk for being arresting now? Them is muddy waters and I don't see why he would want to test them.
************************
They haven't arrested any of the Full Tilt Gang. I think all this talk of arrest a year ago was smoke blowing up skirts. The ones that did get arrested were involved in sports betting (which is illegal), not just poker.

BTW, Doyles new room offers a full compliment of casino games, not just poker. So those of you that like BJ and the like are in luck there.

I am very excited that Doyle's Room is back as of all the places I played they seemed to have the best RNG. It was more like a normal card game (just one or two massive suckouts per 6 handed SnG not 30 like at FT)

[viii_ball]

Absolute Poker releases formal statement acknowledging the security breach where a player was able to see the hole cards of other players.

http://www.pokernews.com/news/2007/10/absolute-kahnawake-norton-issues-statement.htm

[Clever Moniker]

I could be wrong here, but isn't Doyle just a paid figurehead for the poker site? I was under the impression he doesn't have any sort of executive authority, just a marketing piece.

The people (Gordon, Ivey, Ferguson, et. al.) at FT are just paid marketers, also.