It has happened to all of us at one time or another, you are playing your best poker game, and then all of a sudden your great hands start losing to practically any two cards. That scenario is often seen in online poker that it makes many players wonder if the online poker is rigged or are they just stealing from you.
The answer is actually a result of two simple factors, both of which you can overcome as a player and turn your game around. The first factor involved in this scenario is the poker algorithm used by online pokersites and the second is your discipline and decision making ability.
The Poker Algorithm
First and foremost, online poker is controlled by a highly specialized series of poker algorithms and subroutines that attempt to simulate live play. Although the intentions of the programmers are to emulate a fair game, often times the reality is that the true statistics in particular hands are far beyond what could actually occur in real life poker.
The poker algorithms are specifically designed by the programmers for the purposes of eliminating cheaters, colluders and to allow everyone a fair chance at winning. It is ridiculous that any such additional program would be necessary in online poker, however, the pokersites have their own best interests at heart and not necessarily yours or the games interests.
Your Discipline
The other factor involved in your superior hands losing to lesser hands and ultimately creating a bad beat is the discipline you must exercise in folding your hands when it may put you at too high a risk. Since you are aware that the online pokersite will purposely deliver a bad beat and allow draws or suckouts to win against your made hand, it may be prudent to fold your good hands when you have a draw heavy board that puts a lot of your chips at risk.
Although some may disagree with the tactic of folding a good hand when you know you are ahead, it is sensible to fold because you know the online poker algorithms are in control of the hand and not the true life statistics.
The fact that online pokersites have added code into their programs to create such volatile situations should be warning enough to carefully select when you should put your chips at risk. It is far better to fold the hand and remain in the tournament than to get a bad beat and continue to let the pokersite rob you of your bankroll.
After all, the bottom line is you are not only up against a diverse variety of players as much as you are up against a computer program that makes predetermined decisions on who will win the hand. Use this advice in your next game and learn how the poker algorithms work for you and against you.
Paul Westin is a professional poker player on several online poker sites and a former software engineer for a gaming company. His latest research reveals the inner workings of the online poker sites and how the software programs used on the poker sites affect the outcomes of your play. Visit the Online Poker Code for more information on how to win at online poker.
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