Banned by GG Poker - Unjustly

Hi kcorbee,
Welcome to PokerStrategy.com!

This is indeed news.
I am quite sure that I have played simultaneously on hud-enabled sites and GGPoker without problems.

How long ago did this happen?

It is possible that they've changed the rules since the last time I played there (about a week ago) .

For my own protection, I will ask on their discord channel about their policy regarding Huds.
It seems strange that they would ban a person for having a hud installed, since those same huds don't even work with their software.

This is the relevant paragraph:

from Security and Ecology agreement
GGNetwork prohibits any use of External Assistance Programs, which includes, but is not limited to, computer software and non-software-based databases or profiles (e.g. web sites and subscription services) using game play data from GGNetwork.

In the event that we have reasonable suspicion that any software has been used, we reserve the right to take any action we see fit, including immediately blocking access to the services to the offending user, permanently banning such user’s account, and confiscating all funds held in such account.

There is also this document: Network Rules that has a bunch o' stuff in it.

In my dealings to date with their support all problems have been resolved.
Note that this is now the weekend, and it is possible that your communication won't be dealt with until Monday.

Did they specify which software they had a problem with?

All the best,
VS

It is indeed weird if they reacted to software like PT4 or HM2 because those shouldn't work on their site? If this is the case, then what happened is indeed wrong.
I hope you can settle this with the poker room, but unfortunately there is very little we can do to help you

I'm personally not a fan of the GG network rooms because I have heard about similar cases before. Not long time ago we had a thread here where someone got banned because of bum-hunting when he was just doing table selection. You can read the thread here https://forums.pokerstrategy.com/forum/thread.php?threadid=434902

@la55i Even if a tool isn't supposed to work on a poker room doesn't mean there is no way to make it work on those rooms.
For instance using Hand Parsing technic "might" make it works on some "officially non supported rooms" and some tweaks wich is obviously not legal to do
They might have spotted the use of an excel sheet or script or use of website that might or might not have helped in the decision making process wich break rules on many Poker Rooms.
Also on some Poker Rooms the use of a virtual machine ends up in your account beeing locked/banned.

By the way , let's be clear i'm not saying it is the case here.

Best of Skills & Luck @ Tables,
OldSchoolPapa.

You have a point there. But I guess Excel sheets are not prohibited?

@la55i

You have a point there. But I guess Excel sheets are not prohibited?
Honestly it depends on rooms and what your Excel Sheets can do. If it does calculations like icm / equity .... some poker rooms can ban you.("That's why i don't upload any script/program/sheet with those kind of functions")
Pokerstars client software for instance is very intrusive and can make screenshots, files copy , look into the running processes on your computer and many more things and if they decide to copy for a reason or an other your excel sheet or have a screeshot that shows it does calculations they can ban you and keep your money. So if you have that kind of Excel Sheets be carefull on wich poker rooms you use them or do it on an other computer/laptop just to avoid useless risks.

I have some ranges and some basic calculators like pot odds and EV and stuff like that. I guess those calculators should be allowed since you get that kind of data from starshelper too. If they try to mess with me, they are messing with the wrong guy. I'm gonna go to their headquarters and take my polar bear with me.

@la55i

I'm gonna go to their headquarters and take my polar bear with me.
:mdr:

From PokerStars : (Partial Answer to a private question i asked)

We prohibit any tool that computes advanced equity calculations, such as range vs range simulators, ICM or Nash Equilibrium-based programs. Tools that either analyse specific hand histories or allow the creation of a user-defined situation, as well as tools that run simulations or comparisons against player models, are prohibited whilst the client is open

It's non exhaustive so for more informations look there ---> PokerStars
And if any doubt ask them directly before with an exemple of your sheet/script/tool or whatever so you avoid troubles.

Alright, thanks for that info
And that is the reason why you run pokerstars on a virtual machine?

But yea, we should be quite careful with the different programs we run while playing. Some of the programs will warn you if you have poker clients open (like Snowie does) but some of them might not.

@la55i When Poker Related i use a virtual machines for Crypto Poker Rooms only or to revert some poker tools for the fun of it. The half-legit and non legit Crypto Poker Rooms (those on the darkweb to be a bit more explicit) so for sure i secure my environment to play on those kind of rooms with VM and many other things to make sure my network , computers , wallets are safe. I also withdraw very very very often.
To make it short when not Poker Related i have let's say plenty other reasons to do.

Normal poker isn't enough gambling for you so you must play on some shady rooms?

@la55i

Normal poker isn't enough gambling for you so you must play on some shady rooms?
Not really but i play where i can have the best ROI% also vs BOTS / Collusion Players & JamFold Players i clearly do unlike many players who complain about it.Also the rake is pretty low , with a better reward system and rakebacks plus for some of them Hourly Freerolls wich increase my BRs.
Also legislations for Poker & Gambling can change anytime even for the so called legal rooms so player's money is never secure anywhere.(e.g: FullTilt & Black Friday)
I'm not a gambler , i'm an investor and as such i do invest where i believe the opportunities are in my best interest and where my working time is well rewarded.

I'm gonna go to their headquarters and take my polar bear with me. Don't just take it with you; ride it into battle instead

Spoiler

Pokerstars client software for instance is very intrusive and can make screenshots, files copy , look into the running processes on your computer and many more things and if they decide to copy for a reason or an other your excel sheet or have a screeshot that shows it does calculations they can ban you and keep your money.

I don't actually believe this is the case, or if it is, it's in stark contrast with what they claim, plus I'm quite sure it would be against data protection laws. They can check running processes, sure, but I don't believe they will be able to (legally) access your browser for example. They also cannot modify files, which should mean they cannot copy them either.

From the same page that Prim linked to earlier:

"Can you see my internet browsing history, documents, or other private files and information?

No. We take your privacy very seriously and complies with relevant Data Protection law. We do not collect personally-identifiable information, other than that provided by the player during account registration and routine security verifications. It is not possible for any member of our staff to read or copy private data from your machine. For more information, see our Privacy Policy."

Can you make any changes to the files on my computer?

We may, at our discretion, prevent our client program from running on your machine, or require players to upgrade the client program. However, it is not possible for our staff to remotely modify any file on your computer, or send any file to your machine.

@TJtheTJ Between The Claimings and some functions of the Client Software there is a huge gap.
On the client side functions it's technically possible to do. Does each staff member allowed or able to do it ? I don't think.
Do they use those functions ? I honestly can't say but based on the functions implemented they technically can do it.
Do they follow a strict ethic and won't use those functions ? I cannot tell , after it's a matter of trust.
Do i think they are a serious poker room ? Yes i do.
Enough to be trusted ? Hard to say with honesty and Zero Doubts.

In my opinion the more intrusive functions there is on a poker client software the more it is in everyone's interest to strictly follow T&Cs in order to avoid locked accounts and bans. Now there is simple ways to find out if someone is willing to do, play with a browser open using online calculators for few months and then check if your account is locked or if you get banned LoL. Personally i rather prefer to not try.("Atleast not on Pstars")

Best of Skills & Luck @ Tables,
OldSchoolPapa.

Originally posted by OldSchoolPapa
In my opinion the more intrusive functions there is on a poker client software the more it is in everyone's interest to strictly follow T&Cs in order to avoid locked accounts and bans.

Pokerstars publishes a list of software that is forbidden at all times and software that is forbidden while the client is open.
It is easily found by Googling "pokerstars forbidden software", and the top result is:
https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/room/prohibited/
In that link are lists of specific programs that are prohibited at all times.

Odds Oracle -- which I use -- is listed under "Can you give me some examples of these tools and services that aren’t appropriate for use during play?". I once had PokerStars open even though I hadn't played in hours. The instant I opened Odds Oracle, I got a pop-up, and a warning email. The same happened with Equilab, even though it is not listed at all.

There is no equivalent list that I know of for GGPoker -- I will ask them specifically on Monday.
Note that even though I have had two "oops" moments on PokerStars, I have not been banned, nor even warned of an impending ban. I also barked at Pokerstars saying that if their software is smart enough to tell I've opened Equilab, it should also be smart enough to tell I'm not playing poker at the time!

@kcorbee
specifically, and all on-line poker players. The following are vital
 Know the terms and conditions of the poker rooms on which you play -- yes, that means you must read them.
 Follow them
 In the case of a dispute be entirely non-confrontational -- no matter how much money you lost. Ask them for help understanding the situation, and get a specific list of things you need to do to rectify the situation
 Be helpful and understanding when dealing with the customer service representative -- they are often your one and only hope of getting a positive outcome.
 If you have already beaked off and alienated one CS rep, try again -- apologize for your attitude, putting it down to shock and dismay or whatever excuse you think will work, then try the soft approach.

Finally, bear in mind that online poker security is an absolute necessity. Think Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet, FullTilt, and a few others. Without strict enforcement we would all be at risk

All the best,
VS;

I have had around 200 mails from PokerStars, cos I always forget to close Oracle or PJ when I start to play. I have always closed those softwares immediately, and never replied to those emails. So they have common sense.

For GG, these kind of things happen all the time. They don't sound fair, and they never explain anything. Back in that "I lost 5K" case, I asked them three questions and if they are considered "predatory behaviour" or not. Answer was stunning, color coding can be considered predatory behaviour (why the hell they have it there then?). Trying to play with certain players is considered predatory behaviour. And now they have built-in hud (some kind of) in their system. So in their words, color coding opponents can be a reason to freeze and bad an account, and at the same time they offer hud.

Everyone makes their own decisions. Mine was that I am not playing there at all, which is sad as I like the software and games.

To me when i see intrusive functions in any piece of software i'm carefull using it or avoid it. No matter what a company claim selling or giving a software.
Many times in past Major Companies has been catched by selling peoples data or doing things they shouldn't have done and the same things will still happen in futur as well. So to me the argument of any company saying we swear we won't do this or that because it's not legal isn't that strong to my ears especially if my own money is on the line. Its kinda like to drink a coffee while suddenly someone press a gun over your head with the finger on the trigger swearing he won't hit the trigger.
Yeah it's not legal but once you're dead ...

Hello Pokerworld,
ALERT about GGpoker SCAM.

I loved to play poker online but losses a lot because i dont control my bankroll. I even played the 100/200 NLHE cash game stakes and lost a hand for $20,000!

Slowly i read more and learn more about playing poker.... And guess what, i thank god this happened so i can finally give up online poker. (im not sure about other poker sites but here is what i found out about GGpoker).

1). As you all know ggpoker has many skin site where you can have multiple account as long as you don't play accounts at the same time.
I have 1 account (from skin) which i have been playing regularly and was doing fine, although overall im losing money,it's because of bad bankroll management.

Due to the form of deposit and withdrawal method with that skin, i have then open another account directly from ggpoker.

Here what happened. I have never won and those bad beats are like set run out hands which players will sweat and excited. I thought it was my luck and playing style. But for 3 months, i have been trying to be tight and solid, etc etc... nothing went well for this account.

So today, after i lost one ridiculous hand. I went to discord GGpoker room. I asked a question.

"Is there a way you can proof that the hands dealt are totally random?"

a guy replied and say, let's tag all the moderator.

I follow up with: " or was it dealt by your ready made algorithm which makes player sweat and luck are set during registering an account."

"haha "

guess what happen next.

They banned me from discord and i believe it's totally scam. Why would they need to block me in order to answer a simple questions.

After what happen today, i try to think about other poker site i played. pokerstars, partypoker. and i found out, this ggpoker is lot of similarity with fulltilt where there is a lot of actions. SO UNREAL. It doesnt make sense to me when i play account A and account B would be having these results. It's the same me!

I suggest all player can try to register new account and test. If you kept losing, close that account, probably it wil NEVER MAKE YOU MONEY in GGPOKER.

Anyway what they did probably answered my questions.

Good luck to you all whom are with GGPoker.

:f_cool::f_cool::f_cool::f_cool:

Originally posted by Taneong367
Hello Pokerworld,
ALERT about GGpoker SCAM.

I loved to play poker online but losses a lot because i dont control my bankroll. I even played the 100/200 NLHE cash game stakes and lost a hand for $20,000!

Slowly i read more and learn more about playing poker.... And guess what, i thank god this happened so i can finally give up online poker. (im not sure about other poker sites but here is what i found out about GGpoker).

1). As you all know ggpoker has many skin site where you can have multiple account as long as you don't play accounts at the same time.
I have 1 account (from skin) which i have been playing regularly and was doing fine, although overall im losing money,it's because of bad bankroll management.

Due to the form of deposit and withdrawal method with that skin, i have then open another account directly from ggpoker.

Here what happened. I have never won and those bad beats are like set run out hands which players will sweat and excited. I thought it was my luck and playing style. But for 3 months, i have been trying to be tight and solid, etc etc... nothing went well for this account.

So today, after i lost one ridiculous hand. I went to discord GGpoker room. I asked a question.

"Is there a way you can proof that the hands dealt are totally random?"

a guy replied and say, let's tag all the moderator.

I follow up with: " or was it dealt by your ready made algorithm which makes player sweat and luck are set during registering an account."

"haha "

guess what happen next.

They banned me from discord and i believe it's totally scam. Why would they need to block me in order to answer a simple questions.

After what happen today, i try to think about other poker site i played. pokerstars, partypoker. and i found out, this ggpoker is lot of similarity with fulltilt where there is a lot of actions. SO UNREAL. It doesnt make sense to me when i play account A and account B would be having these results. It's the same me!

I suggest all player can try to register new account and test. If you kept losing, close that account, probably it wil NEVER MAKE YOU MONEY in GGPOKER.

Anyway what they did probably answered my questions.

Good luck to you all whom are with GGPoker.

:f_cool::f_cool::f_cool::f_cool:

Thanks for the heads up. Going to uninstall now.