What is Neocheating in Poker?

Introduction

In recent years, a new and more insidious threat to the integrity of the game has emerged. One that doesn’t rely on marked cards or blatant chip dumping, but rather on a much more sophisticated form of deception. This is known as neocheating.

In this blog, we will explore what neocheating really is and why it presents such a serious challenge to fair play.

What is Neocheating in Poker?

Neocheating is a term used to describe a sophisticated and often undetectable form of cheating in poker, wherein a player uses deceptive methods that appear legitimate on the surface but secretly provide an unfair advantage. It is distinguished from traditional forms of cheating by its subtlety and strategic disguise.

At its core, neocheating is a manipulation of perception and systems. The cheater presents themselves as a competent, disciplined, or even erratic player depending on the circumstances, but their decisions are driven by hidden information, prearranged cooperation, or unauthorized technological assistance.

The Philosophy Behind Neocheating

Neocheating is rooted in the idea of bending the system without appearing to break it. The cheater thrives on ambiguity. Their actions do not trigger suspicion because they align with what is considered acceptable or even optimal strategy.

Whereas traditional cheating relies on overt rule-breaking, such as collusion or using marked cards, neocheating is far more insidious. It exploits the rules, social norms, or software limitations in such a way that the behavior appears rational and justified. In doing so, it challenges the very mechanisms meant to ensure fairness in the game.

Forms of Neocheating

Neocheating can take many forms, often involving technology, social manipulation, or strategic deception. The following are some of the most commonly identified forms.

1. Real-Time Assistance (RTA)

Real-Time Assistance refers to the use of software tools, such as solvers or decision trees, during actual gameplay. These tools offer advice based on Game Theory Optimal (GTO) principles.

A player using RTA might appear to be making perfect decisions, folding correctly to marginal bluffs or value betting thin in exactly the right spots. Since these decisions are theoretically sound, they can easily be interpreted as high-level play rather than evidence of external aid.

In practice, the player feeds current game information, such as board texture, stack sizes, and positions, into a chart tool, receives the optimal move, and then executes it. Because timing, bet sizing, and decision patterns closely mimic top-level performance, such behavior is extremely difficult to distinguish from genuine skill.

2. Ghosting

Ghosting occurs when a more experienced player takes control of another player’s account during a poker tournament. This often happens in the late stages of an event, when significant prize money is at stake.

The less experienced player may have entered the tournament themselves and reached a deep stage through legitimate play. At that point, they allow a stronger player, often a coach, backer, or friend,- to make decisions on their behalf. This gives them a substantial competitive edge.

From the outside, it may appear as if the player has suddenly elevated their game. Their lines become more refined, their aggression is perfectly timed, and their discipline increases. However, what has changed is not the player, but the person controlling the decisions.

3. Soft Collusion

Soft collusion involves two or more players at the same table who deliberately avoid playing aggressively against each other. This may involve not three-betting, not bluffing into each other, or not value-betting thinly in spots where they would normally do so against a stranger.

This form of cooperation often lacks explicit communication. It may arise between friends, backers and horses, or players who have an unspoken arrangement. Because the hands between them are often small or resolved passively, and because no chips are being dumped in a blatant way, it is very difficult to prove wrongdoing.

4. Seating Scripts and Player Targeting

In online poker, some players use tools that help them locate weaker opponents and ensure they are seated with an edge. These tools can automatically identify tables with recreational players and instantly seat the user there, while avoiding games with other strong players.

While such behavior might not violate explicit terms on every platform, it creates an imbalance. The neocheater avoids variance, selects profitable positions, and drains money from the system without contributing fairly to the competitive environment.

This practice becomes particularly unfair when the same player is using hand history databases, statistical models, and other tracking tools to maximize their edge.

5. Behavioral Manipulation and Psychological Misdirection

In live games, some players manipulate others using body language, speech patterns, or timing tells. A neocheater may cultivate a specific image, such as being reckless or timid, to mislead others about their true playing style. Later, they shift gears and capitalize on the image they have created.

In online environments, players may manipulate timing, tanking in certain situations or acting quickly in others, to send subtle signals to a partner. This is particularly dangerous when combined with soft collusion, as players can use such non-verbal cues to coordinate actions without ever exchanging words.

Why Neocheating is Dangerous in Poker

Neocheating poses a serious threat to the integrity of poker because it is exceptionally difficult to detect, punish, or even recognize. Most forms of neocheating leave no clear evidence. The behavior is consistent with that of highly skilled players, which means it can easily go unnoticed by both other players and platform security systems.

Moreover, neocheaters often target casual or recreational players, the very individuals who sustain the game’s economy. When these players feel exploited or sense that something is unfair, they are more likely to stop playing altogether.

In high-stakes games or tournament finals, the impact is even more severe. Neocheating can distort results, undermine competition, and taint the legitimacy of the entire event.

Examples of Neocheating

Example 1: The Solver-Backed Grinder

An online cash game player is known for his tight-aggressive strategy. He plays few hands, never seems to make major mistakes, and folds in all the right spots. Over time, other players notice that he always makes the correct bluff-catching decisions — even in high-pressure river spots. In truth, he is using a real-time solver that tells him exactly which hands to call or fold.

Example 2: The Final Table Shift

In a major online tournament, a mid-level player makes a deep run. Up to the final table, their play has been solid but unspectacular. Suddenly, they begin making precise ICM-based decisions, perfectly navigating shove-fold ranges and avoiding high-risk situations. Unknown to spectators, a high-stakes pro has taken over the account.

Example 3: The Silent Partnership

Two players regularly join the same live cash games. Though they sit across the table from each other, they rarely play big pots against one another. When they do, the action is always minimal. Meanwhile, they engage aggressively with everyone else at the table. Their behavior is just passive enough not to raise suspicion, but over time, they consistently accumulate chips at the expense of others while protecting each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is neocheating illegal or against the rules?

Neocheating often operates in gray areas. It’s not always explicitly illegal, but it violates the spirit of fair play. While some forms (like real-time assistance or ghosting) break site rules, others (like image manipulation or soft collusion) can be harder to prove or penalize. Platforms are increasingly updating policies to detect and ban such behavior, but enforcement varies.

Can neocheating happen in live poker?

Yes. While many associate it with online play, live neocheating exists. It may involve soft collusion, signaling, ghosting via coaching during breaks, or psychological manipulation. Because live games lack surveillance software, such behavior can remain hidden unless players or staff observe long-term suspicious patterns.

How can you protect yourself from neocheaters?

Stay observant. Track how players behave against each other versus the rest of the table. Avoid sharing screens, private coaching during live events, or joining soft friend circles in online games. Stick to reputable platforms, report suspicious activity, and play exploitatively but responsibly against potential collusion.

Conclusion

Neocheating in poker represents a new frontier of deception. It is difficult to detect, hard to regulate, and extremely damaging to the integrity of the game. By imitating skill and hiding behind strategic justifications, neocheaters are able to mask their true intentions while gaining unfair advantages.

It is essential that both players and platforms remain vigilant. Increased transparency, stronger detection algorithms, better education, and community reporting are crucial tools in the fight against this form of covert exploitation.