Collusion is yet another very common cheating method. It is when two players seated at a poker table inform each other on the value of their hole cards and use this information in order to cheat their unsuspecting opponents. Collusion not only contravenes traditional and online poker rules and can lead to being kicked out of or even banned from a gambling venue, but is also unethical. As any other cheating maneuver, collusion is designed to trick others and strip them of their money.

Being informed regarding another player's pocket is a certainly huge advantage. Today's poker typically suffers from three types of potential collusion schemes. The first such type is 'softplay.' Softplay is about calling or even folding in a situation that calls for a bet or raise. The colluding players cooperate according to a prearranged deal. The second type of collusion is called 'whipsawing.' Whipsawing is when two cooperating buddies sitting at the opposite ends of a poker table keep raising and reraising each other's bets leaving other players no other alternative but to raise as well, even when holding mediocre hands. The third collusion type is 'dumping.' Dumping takes place when a colluding player deliberately folds to his partner, something he would not have done in any other situation.

Collusion is not easy to detect even when all players are seated in one room at the same table. Believe us when we tell you that today's colluding schemers have gotten very sophisticated and devious. Unfortunately, spotting collusion when you play in a virtual poker room is twice as hard. The question is, how can an online poker player fight collusion? The answer is painstakingly simple. Just, trust your instincts and if you happen to suspect that something fishy is going on, report immediately to poker room operators.

Nowadays, reputed and well-established poker room operators take pride in the fact that they have zero tolerance for cheating players, colluding ones included. Reputable Internet poker destinations usually employ a selection of monitoring tools designed to spot and hamper collusion attempts in order to offer its patrons a secure gaming environment. If collusion is identified and ultimately proved, the poker room operators typically warn colluders and sometimes even ban them from playing at the website. Information concerning corrupt players is typically handed over to other Internet poker rooms to make sure that these players are excluded from other gaming websites as well.

Colluding players, you are warned!