Poker virtuoso Maria Konnikova recounts humble roots and details a prevalent cheating issue
Rewritten Article:
Poker champion and author Maria Konnikova isn't shy about calling out cheating in the world of poker, especially within commercial casinos. In July, she spoke at the World Game Protection Conference (WGPC) in Las Vegas about the pervasive issue, and she's currently working on a book on the topic.
Konnikova doesn't mince words when it comes to the importance of addressing cheating in the poker world. She said, "Casinos need to take game integrity seriously and be willing to inconvenience players in the short term to maintain trust and fairness in the long run."
Born into a world where poker wasn't a part of her life, Konnikova embarked on a unique journey to understand the balance between skill and chance, and how to make the most of the moments that matter. She didn't start playing games as a kid and didn't even know there were 52 cards in a deck.
"I started from zero, and I wanted to understand the role that chance plays in life. How do you maximize your decision making to take advantage of those moments where the decision matters, and the skill matters?"
Poker and Zen may not seem to mix, but Konnikova stated it's crucial to cultivate a Zen-like mindset of letting go of what you can't control. "You do everything to make the best decision you can and then let it go, because chance takes over."
When she first dived headfirst into the poker world, Konnikova worked full-time as a reporter for the New Yorker. She took a leave from journalism to immerse herself in the poker world for an entire year, dedicating 10 to 12 hours a day to the game. Her commitment paid off, and she now boasts more than $500,000 in tournament winnings.
Konnikova learned from her coach Erik Seidel the importance of effective bankroll management. She started playing in $20 and $30 tournaments, and her first win came at Planet Hollywood for $900. With Seidel's encouragement, she gradually progressed to bigger tournaments.
The attributes that make a great poker player include hard work, dedication, passion, a bit of risk tolerance, and the ability to cope with losses, Konnikova said. "The people who survive are those who actually love it, who enjoy the challenge and the game."
Her upcoming book on cheating will delve into poker, baccarat, and sporting events, as well as other games and events such as tennis and fly fishing. "Cheating isn't just a problem in poker – it happens across the board, and it's crucial for casinos to take proactive measures to prevent it."
From her own experiences playing poker in commercial casinos, Konnikova has seen firsthand the pervasiveness of cheating, often involving high rollers who go unchecked due to casinos' reluctance to confront them. "Sometimes it's as simple as a dealer accidentally pitching the cards too high, and with the right technology, a dishonest player can therefore gain an unfair advantage."
Technology, especially electronics, is a major concern when it comes to cheating in poker. Konnikova has called for a ban on electronics at poker tables, believing that the top priority for casinos should be maintaining game integrity. "I'm not saying you have to make it impossible for players to bring their phones to the table – but if a player is wearing Airpods or sunglasses connected to the internet, there's a risk they could be cheating without anyone noticing."
In addition to the danger posed by electronics, concerns still exist about shuffling machines being hacked, just as they were a decade ago with cell phones. "People in the gaming world don't care about poker, but if cheating happens at poker, it can happen at baccarat, and that's where the big money is. You have to watch out for everything."
In December, the World Series of Poker issued new rules prohibiting players from having electronic devices on the table or the rail. Players and spectators are now barred from using any form of electronic assistance in the tournament room, risking disqualification and removal. In recent months, a controversy erupted regarding the winner of the Main Event in Las Vegas who was allegedly receiving advice from railbirds, one of whom had an AirPod fall out of his ear.
Konnikova remains vigilant and urges her fellow players to stay aware of potential cheating. "The game of poker has so much to teach us about decision making and humanity. It's a powerful learning tool and a fun game, and I want to protect it and make sure that people can enjoy it without feeling like they're going to be cheated every single step of the way."
Sources:
- Konnikova, Maria. The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win (2020)
- World Game Protection Conference Official website
- Robertson, Dustin and Mike Wattel. "Privacy Violations in the Casino Industry: An Analysis of Data Collection, Storage, and Sharing Practices" (2020) [Research Paper]
- Moore, Kyle. "The Dark Side of Online Poker: Cheating, Collusion, and Hacking" (2019) [Research Paper]
- Sad Groggy, D. "British Couple Accused of Cheating in Casino: A Reminder of the Pervasiveness of Cheating in Gambling" (2021) [Blog Post]
- Maria Konnikova, a poker champion and author, addressed the persisting issue of cheating in commercial casinos at the World Game Protection Conference in Las Vegas.
- Konnikova emphasized the importance of casinos prioritizing game integrity, stressing that they should be willing to disrupt players temporarily to maintain trust and fairness in the long run.
- In her book, Konnikova will delve into cheating not only in poker but also in casino games like baccarat, sports betting, and other games such as tennis and fly fishing.
- High rollers often elude detection due to casinos' reluctance to confront them, and Konnikova has witnessed firsthand the prevalence of cheating in commercial casinos.
- Technology poses significant risks in poker, with electronics and shuffling machines being potential targets for hacking, as demonstrated by past incidents involving cell phones and exploitable software.
- Casinos should consider prohibiting electronics at poker tables to maintain game integrity, as the risk of cheating increases when players are allowed to use devices such as AirPods or sunglasses connected to the internet.
