Absolute Soulreading/Rigged thread #3

[suzzer99]

TONS of new players (maybe a majority) buy a book, find 2p2, poke around a bit, then either join in, lurk, or leave. If everyone of those new players from here on out saw a sticky about ABSOLUTE POKER on the top of every forum, it would get noticed.

[ITWASSOOOOTED]

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<font color="red"> Just got off the phone with Adrian, who claims to be the senior most manager in the Absolute Security Department (upon asking to speak to his superior at the end of the conversation, he claims to report directly to the owners). He claims that the investigation is complete, and that they have cleared all accounts of any wrongdoing.

Seeing as I didn't think it would be mental-energy-efficient to get into the entire hole-card-viewing thing with him, since we only have statistical evidence (the likes of which there's no way this guy could grasp -- just trust me on this one), I decided to instead just focus on ONE part of the wrong-doing &gt;&gt; one that no security rep or investigator could plausibly deny: the chip-dumping. A reminder that THESE ARE 3 CONSECUTIVE HANDS where DOUBLEDRAG and ROMNALDO capped every street playing $200/$400 heads-up, only to have DOUBLEDRAG fold for one bet on the river. These were just 3 HHs from an entire session like this where DOUBLEDRAG allegedly dumped over $200,000. IF ANYONE HAS MORE HANDS FROM THIS SESSION PLEASE PM ME.

Anyway, Adrian (top Absolute security guy, don't forget) said that he had looked at those hands, and that although it "looked" like chip-dumping, they had determined that it was not.
</font> Sry for the red font. I needed something to indicate that this post contains actual info rather than an expose on what 2p2ers might have gimmick accounts.

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Just bumping my above post for those who did not see it.

Also, I'll make a proposal here, although I will be the first one to say that i give this next to NO chance of succeeding, but I'm making the suggestion here nonetheless because I feel very strongly about it (kind of like the political candidate who runs in an election knowing he has no chance of winning, but doing so because he believes in doing all he can to represent his constituents in good faith.)

Given how incredibly damning the evidence is in this case, and how saddeningly incompetent their customer service response is (denying even that the above chip-dumping had taken place), and given furthermore that there are a handful of high-volume posters who have been swindled out of over $100,000 collectively, I propose the following:

Put a sticky at the top of every single forum titled something like "WARNING: Unsettling Activity at Absolute Poker", and have a statement such as the following (which is just off-the-cuff, but you it'll give you the gist of what I'm talking about):
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"There have been several very troubling reports recently about security issues at Absolute Poker, including allegations that certain players have exploited a hack that allows them to view opponent hole-cards, and the documented chip-dumping of over $200,000 of those stolen funds. It should be noted that nothing has been proven (other than the chip-dumping, which is documented in hand-histories) and that there are certain posters that remain skeptical about the allegations of cheating. Nonetheless, the evidence presented is among the most damning ever produced in this type of case and can be seen here &lt;link to the mega-threads&gt;.

Irrespective of the ultimate truth of the allegations, however, most troubling of all is the response, or more accurately NON-responsiveness of the Absolute customer service and security team who have steadfastly refused to admit that there was any wrong-doing, and even went so far as to DENY the chip-dumping, of which there is convincing evidence in the form of hand-histories &lt;link to them here&gt;.

It is not the role of the 2+2 Discussion Forums to take an official stance on controversial matters such as these, and we encourage every reader to evaluate the evidence for him- or herself. What is discouraging in this case, however, is Absolute's lack of concern for some of its highest-volume players, and unwillingness to provide an explanation for some of the most suspicious activity ever documented in online poker. Naturally, it's understandable (and moreover we encourage!) sites to keep private certain aspects of thier fraud-detection techniques so as not to provide would-be crooks with a "blue-print" of how to exploit their security measures. Nonetheless, we believe that there is some "safe" middle-ground to be found, whereby Absolute might provide enough information about the investigation to persuade the 2+2 community of the integrity of their security measures without compromising their efficacy. At the end of the day, the interests of Absolute Poker and the 2+2 poker-playing community are one and the same: a safe and secure playing environment for its players. The recent forum discussions, while controversial, have that very interest in mind, and we would like to see a more public demonstration from Absolute that they are as committed to the integrity of their games as are the players."
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Bottom-line, if you don't think that a sticky at the top of every forum in the most widely-read poker bulletin board in the world will get Absolute's attention, and persuade the likes of Adrian (their security manager) that his attempts to stonewall and deny, deny, deny will not be tolerated, I respectfully disagree. Like I said, I understand that the odds of this actually happening are slim to none, but I think it's the right thing for me to at least put it out there.

(EDIT: looks like my long post was timely with Nath's just above &gt;&gt; the name of the game now is to get through to them -- I'm not demanding restitution of the $6,000 stolen from me, nor do I want Adrian's head on a stake. What I want is information about how this could have happened, and why we should be comfortable that it cannot happen again. If we let this thing get swept under the carpet, it's OUR fault. The NYT Freakonomics op-ed was a good first-step. Let's keep it up.)

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I like your thinking here. As I mentioned before in this thread, I think the best idea would be to make an effort to get this story out to mainstream media. If a few people collaborate and come up with a plan to do this it would have a bigger effect then pasting it all over internet poker forums. I think a more detailed statement (but one that would still make sense even to a non poker player)should be created, and submitted local newspapers all over North America. (see my post earlier in this thread)

[thatpfunk]

Both Samo and Jman are writers for BLUFF, why not take it that route?

teddy, i think youre doing a great job at explaining the 2p2 HS reg position and i think the next step should be to contact every major source of poker media.

This is juicy stuff. Get in contact with Cardplayer and BLUFF. Let them know you can provide data that proves there is highstakes cheating going on at AP. Point out the freakonomics blog. Also, make sure AP is well aware of your activities.

good luck!

[suzzer99]

My guess is neither this site, nor BLUFF is going to want to blatantly [censored] one of their advertisers this way w/o proof. And proof is in the eye of the beholder.


"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."

-Upton Sinclair

[ITWASSOOOOTED]

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Both Samo and Jman are writers for BLUFF, why not take it that route?

teddy, i think youre doing a great job at explaining the 2p2 HS reg position and i think the next step should be to contact every major source of poker media.

This is juicy stuff. Get in contact with Cardplayer and BLUFF. Let them know you can provide data that proves there is highstakes cheating going on at AP. Point out the freakonomics blog. Also, make sure AP is well aware of your activities.

good luck!

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I could be wrong, but I don't think that cardplayer or bluff would want to be the first ones reporting this story. Since they have affiliations and receive advertising dollars from AP.

[prrmike]

teddyFBI, i sent you a PM. Let me know....

[McSeafield]

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Absolute is not based in Canada. The Kahwanake Gaming Commission is. Absolute is based in Costa Rica (and all their employees are there as well).

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You can file a complaint in any case with the Kahwanake Gaming Commission.


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And if Kahwanake owns Absolute, as the case seems to be, then... what?

I think the problem is obvious.

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Yes the problem is obvious. But think about. The Gaming Commission has also to represent the interest of hole gaming industry in Kahwanake. And this would be real test of the fairness of the Gaming Commission. What would other poker rooms say if the Gaming Commission will only act like an Absolute spokesman. The effect could be that the hole gaming industrie in Kahwanake would question the attitude of Absolute. Therefore, at least we have a chance of fair treatment or a decretal decision. Perhaps the Mohawks are more wiser than we expect. Give them a chance at least.

[suzzer99]

LOL if you think the Kahwanake Gaming Commission is anything other than a regulatory front for the card rooms.

[thatpfunk]

suz,
Samo threatened to write about UB's lack of support for a very large cashout. He received his money very quickly.

We have proof. We have writers for these magazines that can understand the proof. This, unfortunately, has the potential to be a huge story. If one were to write an article and have it be rejected by the 2 major magazines they can add that onto the article and looks for more mainstream publication.

I can't over emphasize how juicy of a story this is. My GF doesn't even know what a flop or river is yet she was enthralled for half an hour when she learned A) the amount of money involved and B) the potential scope/cover-up aspects.

I think that this should DEF be an avenue to explore.

(and i have no stake in this, ive never even DLed AP)

[Victor]

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I seriously want to know: if you play high stakes, what calculus are you using to determine this is a good idea?

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i obviously dont play high stakes

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in that case, why play at AP when every other site has a better bonus/rakeback deal? heh.

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is this true? ap gives out a lot of bonus money and has rb. now they are giving 9% apr on acct balances. im considering playing there despite all this bs. and if all the good regs and 2ers bounce then its a goldmine.