Poker master Maria Konnikova recounts her humble origins and issue with cheating in her game.
Rewritten Article:
Let's talk about the dirty little secret that's been lingering in the poker world: cheating. Maria Konnikova, a poker champion and author, isn't ashamed to shed light on this problem and call out casinos for turning a blind eye. In a world where skill is pitted against chance, it's a battle Konnikova fights with passion.
Konnikova, a former New Yorker reporter, dived headfirst into the poker world, leaving her journalism career behind. She spent tireless hours learning the game, rising from zero to a player with over $500,000 in tournament winnings. Her journey into poker wasn't driven by the thrill of the game but rather as a way to explore the delicate balance between skill and chance.
"I started from zero and got into poker as a way to understand the role that chance plays in life," Konnikova said. "Chance takes over, but you do everything to make the best decision you can and then let it go."
Konnikova learned the importance of bankroll management from Erik Seidel, her coach. Starting small in $20 and $30 tournaments, she slowly climbed up the ranks, eventually taking down her first tournament at Planet Hollywood for $900.
Success in poker, according to Konnikova, comes from hard work, dedication, passion, and a healthy dose of emotional control. But don't confuse her with a math whiz. She never took a math class after high school and still uses her fingers to count. However, that hasn't held her back.
Her book, currently in the works, explores the dark side of the poker world: cheating. The book delves into cheating in poker, baccarat, sports events, and even fly fishing. Cheating, it seems, isn't confined to just one game.
"Casinos don't want to say no to high rollers," Konnikova said. "They appease them, and that's where the problem lies."
Konnikova refuses to play in casino private rooms due to fears of cheating. Online poker, she warns, is slowly dying due to the rampant issue of cheating. She's advocated for a ban on electronic devices at poker tables, arguing that people underestimate the far-reaching capabilities of technology and its potential to corrupt the game.
In December 2020, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) issued rules that prohibited players from having electronic devices on the table or the rail. Players and spectators were also barred from using any form of electronic assistance in the tournament room. After the 2021 Main Event in Las Vegas, controversy erupted concerning winner Jonathan Tamayo receiving advice at the final table from railbirds.
"All you need is a dealer pitching a tiny bit too high," Konnikova said. "Or even pitching normally, with your phone positioned in the right way, it can catch what the cards are. I'm paranoid now. If a dealer is pitching high, I'll say something."
Players also need to be wary of shuffling devices, which can be hacked. In the poker world, Konnikova points out, people don't care about poker. It isn't the money maker. But if it happens at poker, it can happen at baccarat, and the same technology can be used to exploit the biggest money-making games.
"People who cheat at poker will cheat at other games."
In the past, cheaters needed an insider collaborator, a dealer or supervisor. But with technology, that's no longer the case. Cheaters have become more self-sufficient, posing new threats as technology keeps changing. The industry, Konnikova advises, needs to watch out for everything.
"I love the game of poker. It has so much to teach us about decision making and humanity. It's a powerful learning tool and a fun game. 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."
- Maria Konnikova, the author and poker champion, is vocal about the issue of cheating in casino-games such as poker, arguing that casinos should not turn a blind eye.
- Konnikova's upcoming book delves into thedark side of various games, including poker, sports events, baccarat, and even sports-betting, exposing the pervasive problem of cheating.
- In the poker world, Konnikova refuses to play in casino private rooms due to concerns about cheating and advocates for a ban on electronic devices at poker tables to prevent technological manipulations.
- The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has issued rules prohibiting players from having electronic devices on the table or the rail, addressing concerns about cheating in casino-gambling events like poker.
- From simple deck manipulation to hacking shuffling devices, Konnikova warns that cheaters are becoming more self-sufficient with the advancement of technology, posing new threats to the casino-and-gambling industry.
