What Collusion Means In Online Poker
Collusion is when two or more players work together against the rest of the table.
Common forms:
- sharing hole card information (outside the game)
- coordinating actions and bet sizes
- soft playing each other to keep stacks safe
- chip dumping in tournaments
- tag-teaming a weaker player
Collusion is cheating. Legit rooms ban it aggressively.
If you want the full foundation first, start with Online Poker Guide: Rules, Strategy & Tips.
What Collusion Is Not (Don’t Mislabel Normal Play)
Before you start looking for cheaters, remember:
- Two good players can fold to each other often because ranges are strong.
- Players can make similar decisions in the same spot without cheating.
- A player running hot can feel “suspicious” when it’s just variance.
The goal is not to accuse people because you lost a pot.
The goal is to recognize repeatable, coordinated patterns.
The Most Common Collusion Patterns
1) Soft Play
Soft play is when two players avoid aggressive action against each other in spots where they normally would.
Signs:
- suspiciously checking down strong hands against each other
- avoiding value bets that would be standard
- folding too often to each other’s raises
- never bluffing each other, but attacking others aggressively
One hand is not proof.
Repeated patterns are.
2) Chip Dumping (Mostly In Tournaments)
Chip dumping is when one player intentionally gives chips to another.
Signs:
- bizarre all-ins with weak holdings
- repeated “donations” in similar spots
- one stack consistently increasing after interactions with the same player
- strange shove sizes that don’t match pressure or ranges
In tournaments, collusion can also show up near:
- bubbles
- pay jumps
- final table pressure spots
3) Coordinated Isolation
Two players repeatedly isolate the same target player.
Signs:
- one raises, the other 3-bets, often targeting the same weaker stack
- they squeeze aggressively vs the same player, but not vs others
- they rarely tangle with each other, but “team up” to pressure one seat
This can be subtle, but over time it stands out.
4) Signaling Through Bet Sizing
Some colluders attempt to signal hand strength by using weird sizes.
Signs:
- very consistent “codes” (min-raise = strong, pot = weak, etc.)
- sizes that don’t make sense strategically but repeat in partner-vs-partner hands
- unusual lines that “work out” too perfectly too often
This is harder to prove as a player, but still worth noting.
5) Multi-Accounting / Shared Account Teams
This is more of a security issue than table collusion, but it still harms fairness.
Signs:
- same player seemingly “transforms” in skill style across days
- weird account behavior patterns
- suspicious location changes (hard for players to know, but sites can detect this)
The Practical Warning Signs You Can Track As A Player
You don’t need advanced tools to observe patterns.
Track these warning signs:
- The same two players frequently sit together across sessions
- They never play big pots against each other
- They play aggressively against everyone else
- They check down too often when heads-up
- One player repeatedly loses chips to the other in strange spots
- Their timing and sizing look coordinated
If you’re already taking notes, this becomes easier.
Revisit The Importance Of Note-Taking During Online Play if you want a simple note system.
What To Do If You Suspect Collusion
1) Don’t Confront In Chat
Calling people out in chat:
- doesn’t fix anything
- can distract you
- can tilt you
- can make it harder for sites to investigate cleanly
2) Change Tables
Your bankroll comes first. Leave the table.
If you want to pick healthier games, revisit Table Selection Strategies To Boost Win Rate.
3) Save Evidence
Take note of:
- player names
- hand numbers (if available)
- suspicious hands
- patterns you noticed
You don’t need to prove guilt. You just need to provide useful context.
4) Report Through The Site’s Tools
Use the site’s reporting feature.
Good rooms have game integrity teams who can review:
- hand histories
- device signals
- account linkages
- play patterns over huge samples
How Reputable Sites Usually Handle Collusion
Most reputable rooms use:
- automated pattern detection
- manual investigations
- reports as a trigger
- refunds in some cases (room dependent)
But enforcement quality varies by platform—another reason to choose well.
Common Mistakes When Thinking About Collusion
- assuming “two good players” = collusion
- accusing based on one hand
- chasing losses to “catch them”
- staying at the table because you’re angry
- not reporting because “nothing will happen”
Don’t turn suspicion into tilt.
Quick Takeaways
- Collusion is coordinated play between 2+ players and is cheating
- Common patterns include soft play, chip dumping, coordinated isolation, and odd sizing signals
- Look for repeated, consistent patterns—not one weird hand
- Protect yourself: leave, save details, report quietly
- Don’t confront in chat or let suspicion tilt your game
Mini FAQ
How Common Is Collusion In Online Poker?
It’s not the norm on reputable sites, but it can happen. Awareness and smart platform choice reduce risk.
Can I Prove Collusion As A Regular Player?
Usually no, because sites have the full data. Your job is to spot patterns and report.
Should I Stop Playing Online Poker If I See Suspicious Play?
Not necessarily. Leave that table, report, and play on reputable platforms with strong integrity teams.
Where To Go Next
You now know what collusion looks like and how to protect yourself: recognize patterns, avoid paranoid assumptions, leave unhealthy games, and report suspicious behavior through proper channels.
If you want to reinforce this, the best next move is to understand how poker sites detect bots and protect fairness, because bots and collusion are often handled by the same game integrity systems. Knowing how detection works builds confidence in reputable rooms and helps you choose platforms wisely.
Continue with How Poker Sites Detect Bots & Protect Fairness.
