Ban on Phones in Poker: A Solution to the Cheating Problem?

Measures against poker fraud are being tightened in the US: poker rooms are introducing stricter rules on phone use at the table. How will this affect the integrity of the game?

Recently, a new wave of discussion has swept through the US poker community regarding cheating at the tables. This was sparked by allegations of collusion and the use of electronic devices to gain an unfair advantage. In response, the largest poker rooms in Los Angeles and Las Vegas have tightened their rules on the use of mobile phones and other gadgets at the table. How the Cheating Allegations Emerged The first alarm was raised on the YouTube channel Crush Live Poker, hosted by well-known player and coach Bart Hanson. During one of the broadcasts, a listener using the pseudonym "Joe" reported suspicious activity in cash games at Hollywood Park—one of the most popular poker rooms in Southern California. According to him, a group of players were colluding, using modern technology to obtain information about opponents’ cards. As "Joe" described, the scheme worked as follows: one team member would sit at the table, usually in one of the end seats (1, 2, 8, or 9), to get a better view of the dealer’s actions. Allegedly, a mini-camera was hidden in his hat, recording the dealing of cards. The camera’s feed was transmitted to a remote device, where an accomplice analyzed the footage in real time and relayed the necessary information back to the player at the table. This allowed the team to gain an edge by knowing their opponents’ hole cards. Poker Rooms’ Response: Total Ban on Electronics After these allegations surfaced, Hollywood Park management responded swiftly. According to PokerNews, the room now enforces a strict ban on all electronic devices at the poker table. Floor staff regularly patrol the gaming area and require that all phones, tablets, laptops, and other gadgets be put away during hands. Players are prohibited from sending messages, browsing social media, or using devices during play. If a player needs to use their phone, they must step away from the table. Similar measures have been implemented in Las Vegas. For example, at Red Rock Casino, which is part of the Station Casinos network and located in the Summerlin area, there is now a partial ban on mobile phones. Players are not allowed to talk on the phone at the table, and phones are completely prohibited during hands. How Cheaters Use Modern Technology During the discussion on Crush Live Poker, "Joe" gave a detailed account of how modern technology can be used for cheating. According to him, these schemes are most often carried out by teams of two. One sits at the table in a seat with a good view of the dealer’s actions. Using a hidden camera, he records the cards dealt to other players. The live video is sent to an external device, where the second team member analyzes the information and relays the necessary data back to the player at the table. To combat such schemes, some poker rooms have started adopting new dealing procedures. For example, South Point in Las Vegas has switched to the European dealing style, where the dealer slides the card across the felt instead of the traditional "pitch" (throwing the cards), making it much harder to capture the cards with hidden cameras. Other Incidents and Professional Opinions The problem of cheating is not limited to Las Vegas. Well-known Southern California player Peter O’Neill shared his experience on Twitter regarding similar schemes at Hollywood Park Casino and Gardens Casino. In his July 31 post, he noted that cheaters most often target games with $5/$10 stakes and below, and that they had previously been spotted at Commerce Casino as well. In the comments to his post, O’Neill clarified that these teams of players always take the same seats at the table, which indirectly supports "Joe’s" account. Later, O’Neill also called in to Crush Live Poker and spoke about similar cases of collusion and team play. Experts point out that such schemes are not unique to the US—they occur worldwide. This is prompting poker clubs to review their internal rules and seek new ways to counter technologically savvy cheaters. Current Restrictions Hollywood Park (Los Angeles): Complete ban on all electronic devices at the table. Phones, tablets, and laptops must be put away during play. To use a phone, a player must leave the table. Red Rock Casino (Las Vegas): Partial ban: no phone conversations at the table, and phones are completely prohibited during hands. South Point (Las Vegas): European dealing style introduced to prevent cards from being filmed by hidden cameras. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this situation is an important reminder of the need to pay close attention to fair play and security. Even in an online setting, where physical presence at the table is impossible, issues of collusion and the use of technical tools to gain an advantage remain relevant. Club administrators should regularly monitor for suspicious activity, watch for unusual betting patterns, and be alert to suspicious coincidences in player actions. Players are encouraged to follow fair play rules, avoid using third-party software, and not collude with other participants. If you suspect unfair play, it’s important to report it to club management immediately—this helps protect the platform’s reputation and ensures the game remains as transparent as possible for everyone. Overall, the tightening of rules in US live poker rooms shows that the poker community is ready to respond quickly to new threats and adopt modern security measures. Online PPPoker clubs should also stay one step ahead—using tools to detect collusion and maintaining a high level of trust among players.