Witch Hunt Begins? GGPoker Faces Backlash for Mass RTA Bans

The world's largest online poker room, GGPoker, is once again under fire. In recent weeks, community forums like Reddit and TwoPlusTwo have been flooded with testimonies from players who have received lifetime bans. The reason? Alleged use of RTA (Real-Time Assistance). While the platform defends this as a move to protect game integrity, many honest professionals are left wondering: “Am I next?”

What Exactly is RTA and Where Does GGPoker Draw the Line?

For the average player, the definition of assistance tools can be confusing. According to GGPoker’s security rules, RTA includes more than just complex solvers or AI. Any external help influencing decision-making during an active hand falls under this umbrella.

This includes:

Software solvers and decision-making algorithms.
Dynamic strategic tools.
Any charts or tables (even printed) referred to during gameplay.

The last point is particularly contentious. Many players are used to having preflop charts open during study. If detected running simultaneously with the game, it might be flagged as a rules violation, even if not actively used at the moment.

The “IRunItOnce” Case: 43 Days of Uncertainty and $22,000 Frozen

A notable instance involves a Polish player with the nickname IRunItOnce, who was grinding the Rush & Cash format. His account was frozen on May 19 with a balance of approximately $22,000. This triggered a taxing 43-day investigation, where he was probed on his poker career, staking agreements, and even his computer’s software setup.

The player denies any cheating with a logical argument. Playing 4 to 12 tables of the ultra-fast Rush & Cash format makes it practically impossible to consult a solver for every decision. Despite this, his account remains permanently blocked.

Controversy also arose when the platform initially refused to pay out his accumulated $12,500 rakeback, offering only the cash balance. Following public outcry, he was allowed to convert GEMS and withdraw his funds.

When Security Feels Like an Interrogation

Testimonies from other players, such as user coinpoker123, recount similar scenarios: unexpected RTA warnings, account suspensions, and a series of invasive questions. GGPoker’s security team inquires about:

A list of all installed programs on the PC.
Reasons for using a VPN.
Names of coaches and strategic partners.
The player's poker background.

Accused players have offered ways to defend themselves, like live game recording or real-time screen sharing, but these offers have allegedly been rejected by the platform.

The Transparency Problem

The community’s biggest frustration is the lack of evidence. GGPoker refuses to disclose specific hands or moments of alleged cheating. This is somewhat understandable as revealing them could help real cheaters adapt to detection algorithms.

Although no one denies that bots and solvers are online poker threats, the platform’s aggressive approach raises concerns about “false positives.” Critics suggest winning players are under heightened scrutiny, though GGPoker denies targeting and points to bans on losing players as well.

How to Protect Yourself?

To minimize risk of target by security, it’s wise to follow these preventative measures while playing:

Close everything: Make sure GTO Wizard, PioSolver, PDF charts, or any study materials are shut down before launching a game on GGPoker.
Be cautious with VPNs: If you need to use a VPN, have a credible justification ready.
Keep it simple: The less software (including remote access) running in the background, the better.

Fighting cheating is crucial for the survival of online poker, but the current wave of bans shows that the line between justice and wrongly accusing innocents can be very thin.

Source: TwoPlusTwo, Reddit, ChatGPT, GGPoker