Poker players have a lot of tools at their disposal to help them win the game, but real-time assistance (RTA) is a problem that must be taken seriously by everyone in the poker community. Some operators have even started to pursue players who use RTA in an attempt to ban them and seize their bankrolls when possible.
The term RTA can refer to many different types of poker tools, but it generally describes anything that helps a player cheat while playing the game. Some examples include preflop charts, solver-based solutions, and other programs that can give a player information on what the best action to take is in certain situations. These types of tools are considered to be cheating because they allow a player to gain an edge over their opponents, which can result in significant profits over time.
Some of the most popular tools used by RTA players are solvers that provide mathematically perfect Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategies for various scenarios. These tools can show a player how much to bet, when to bet, and whether or not they should bet at all in specific scenarios. This gives them an advantage over their opponents that can be worth tens of thousands of dollars or more over the course of a year.
In recent years, online poker rooms have begun to crack down on players using these kinds of tools. For instance, GG Network has been pursuing players who use RTA in an effort to get them banned from the site and confiscate their bankrolls. The company claims that they are able to detect these players through data analysis and a security team that works with the poker world’s best minds.
While some players have used tools like these to cheat at the game, it is not an effective way to beat the game in the long run. The best strategy is to practice your game and learn from the mistakes of others.
Many poker trainers have begun to introduce RTA prevention features into their products. These tools usually include delays or look-up integrity checks that can prevent a user from accessing a tool while they are playing. These tools are a great way to improve your game and they also make it less likely that you will be caught by poker sites using a tool to cheat.
There are still some people who will try to cheat at the game, though. In the past, a streamer named Fedor Kruse made headlines when his flat mates blew the whistle on his use of a two-computer “dream machine” setup to bypass mouse-tracking systems deployed by poker sites. The site he played on ultimately banned him and seized his bankroll after the allegations surfaced.
While some players may not want to put in the time to work on their game, it is important for them to remember that using RTA is cheating and can damage their interests in the long run. In addition, poker players must work together to detect and pursue any cheaters they know of in order to ensure that the online poker ecosystem remains as fair as possible for all players.