How do I know if someone is cheating in an online casino game?

Having been a professional poker player for many years, I know what it’s like to have a gut instinct telling me something isn’t right. Allow me to share some secrets about detecting suspicious conduct.

For starters, be on the lookout for numbers that violate fundamental principles of chance. In slots, an unprecedented number of payouts? No bueno. In poker, players flopping four of a kind in rapid succession? They’re either witch-doctored or cheats.

The tell is to look for a consistent pattern of unusual hands, rather than just the occasional odd hand. If you find it, run away screaming: Cheaters hardly ever lose!

Legal online casinos typically rely on certified RNG software. That said, you want to stick with casinos that are both well-known and licensed. Believe it or not, good operators will crack down rapidly on anyone who tries to defraud them.

Be on the lookout, but don’t let paranoia take over. It can be reported to the casino support team. That’s why they exist.

Second, know that all decent online casinos rely on RNGs to make sure every outcome is truly random. So if you notice someone getting lucky much more often than they should – like landing three sevens in a row on a slot machine or drawing a natural 21 in blackjack – report it immediately! Online casinos are very serious about rooting out cheaters. The same goes for “cheat codes” – anything that gives a player an unfair advantage. If something seems wrong, it probably is. But also keep in mind that skill-based games are different from games of chance. And online casinos have systems in place to detect any kind of cheating. Stay vigilant. Don’t cheat. Play fair. That’s how we play. No cheating allowed. Remember: skill matters. Luck happens. Enjoy the game.

So while online casinos do have RNGs (random number generators) to make sure games are played fairly, keep an eye out for other clues: Someone who always wins on slot machines; straight flushes in poker; a player’s hand inexplicably being upgraded in blackjack. Make sure the website is legit and licensed. If you have doubts, trust your instincts.

Real casinos rely on an RNG to ensure fairness. If a player gets lucky too many times in a row, an alert is triggered – but it can be difficult to prove foul play. Look out for weird betting behavior, or players who withdraw their winnings immediately after a winning hand. If you're playing against a real dealer, and someone seems to know what cards are coming next, they may be cheating. Stick to legal gambling websites, where risks are lower. Ultimately, this is a very unusual occurrence, so if you think you've spotted illegal activity, bring it to the attention of the casino staff and moderators.

Online casinos rely on random number generators (RNG) in slot machines and poker games to ensure fairness. If your hand seems too good, it’s probably a result of variance. Reputable casinos are regulated and monitored. Scams? You’d see strange stuff like players getting straight flushes every time. But one weird hand? That’s normal. Don’t worry about the site being legit. Play at reputable casinos. Be vigilant, but not paranoid.