The increasing popularity of auto-seating scripts make them a more and more serious problem in online poker. These software find weaker players at the tables and seat you there with a speed players selecting tables manually cannot hope to match.
This, of course, means an increase of profit for winning players who utilise these scripts, while it also means damage to the whole of online poker in the long run, including the auto-seated players themselves. If players who only seek enjoyment in the game have no feeling of success, or are realising that certain opponents instantly join their tables as soon as they sit in, they are likely to soon switch to a different hobby from online poker. And, if there are no losers, there are no winners, either.
The following chat log was posted on the 2p2 forum in June this year. The screen names of the $10/$20 players are switched to ‘rec HS player’ and ‘HS player’:
“rec HS player: I actually hav eto go for supper but maybe play again!
HS player: enjoy your meal
rec HS player: gl
HS player: you 2
rec HS player: oh one question
HS player: go ahead
rec HS player: do you every have when you go in like 15-30 steaks the same # guys who come right in after you
rec HS player: like right away almost as soon as you click it
HS player: you should email support about that
rec HS player: same players everytime
HS player: there is a guy with a program or something that auto sits when certain people sit
HS player: you may be on the list
HS player: angribird and others right?
rec HS player: angrybird and some vpvpvpv something or another
rec HS player: hahaah ya
HS player: yes him too
HS player: those guys are XXXXXXXs
rec HS player: what the heck is that about?
HS player: please write emails to support about how bad that is
rec HS player: kk I will do that
HS player: they have a program or something that chases you and others
HS player: it is really abusive and poor
rec HS player: thanks”
A number of recreational players have experienced something similar as ‘rec HS player’ and the rooms and networks are starting to realise the dangers posed by the auto-seating scripts. Some of them have already taken action against them, too.
First, Ongame banned the use of these software and terminated waiting lists at their tables so as to keep players from searching for weak grinders. Based on player feedback, PartyPoker has also announced that using auto-seating scripts violates their terms and conditions and is therefore considered cheating.
“Please be advised that we take a negative stance against any players using an auto seating script and encourage you all to report any players known to be doing so and the names of any such software. We intend to take action against any players found to be using these scripts which can lead to VIP status removal and ultimately account closure,” PartyPoker posted on 2p2 earlier this year.
PokerStars still allows the use of SnG auto-seating scripts, like SharkyStrator SNG Registrator, which check the lobby and seat you at tables that best match your preferences. However, the room has reported that they are monitoring the situation and take steps if necessary: “We know that programs such as SNG Registrator are becoming more prevalent and more powerful; we’re watching to see how this plays out.”
The SharkyStrator SNG Registrator in operation:
The various kinds of complementary software have been an issue for long in online poker. HUDs, for example, show statistics of your opponents and Table Ninja simplifies multi-tabling significantly, including hotkeys for different actions and setting amounts with which to raise or bet on the different streets. However, these software still require a decision from the player and they have to manually take action, unlike auto-seating scripts. This does not mean by any means, though, that losing players are not bothered by legally used software; many rooms have tried to ban them, as a result, altogether.
Following Black Friday, online poker rooms kept waging a bitter war for players and took action to keep recreational players at the tables. In order to achieve that, they needed to ban all factors that are proved to significantly corrupt the game experience. Auto-seating scripts tend to become such a factor.
While it may still be a bit down the road for the rooms and networks to effectively protect players from present and newly appearing software deemed harmful, the first steps have been made.
This, of course, means an increase of profit for winning players who utilise these scripts, while it also means damage to the whole of online poker in the long run, including the auto-seated players themselves. If players who only seek enjoyment in the game have no feeling of success, or are realising that certain opponents instantly join their tables as soon as they sit in, they are likely to soon switch to a different hobby from online poker. And, if there are no losers, there are no winners, either.
The following chat log was posted on the 2p2 forum in June this year. The screen names of the $10/$20 players are switched to ‘rec HS player’ and ‘HS player’:
“rec HS player: I actually hav eto go for supper but maybe play again!
HS player: enjoy your meal
rec HS player: gl
HS player: you 2
rec HS player: oh one question
HS player: go ahead
rec HS player: do you every have when you go in like 15-30 steaks the same # guys who come right in after you
rec HS player: like right away almost as soon as you click it
HS player: you should email support about that
rec HS player: same players everytime
HS player: there is a guy with a program or something that auto sits when certain people sit
HS player: you may be on the list
HS player: angribird and others right?
rec HS player: angrybird and some vpvpvpv something or another
rec HS player: hahaah ya
HS player: yes him too
HS player: those guys are XXXXXXXs
rec HS player: what the heck is that about?
HS player: please write emails to support about how bad that is
rec HS player: kk I will do that
HS player: they have a program or something that chases you and others
HS player: it is really abusive and poor
rec HS player: thanks”
A number of recreational players have experienced something similar as ‘rec HS player’ and the rooms and networks are starting to realise the dangers posed by the auto-seating scripts. Some of them have already taken action against them, too.
First, Ongame banned the use of these software and terminated waiting lists at their tables so as to keep players from searching for weak grinders. Based on player feedback, PartyPoker has also announced that using auto-seating scripts violates their terms and conditions and is therefore considered cheating.
“Please be advised that we take a negative stance against any players using an auto seating script and encourage you all to report any players known to be doing so and the names of any such software. We intend to take action against any players found to be using these scripts which can lead to VIP status removal and ultimately account closure,” PartyPoker posted on 2p2 earlier this year.
PokerStars still allows the use of SnG auto-seating scripts, like SharkyStrator SNG Registrator, which check the lobby and seat you at tables that best match your preferences. However, the room has reported that they are monitoring the situation and take steps if necessary: “We know that programs such as SNG Registrator are becoming more prevalent and more powerful; we’re watching to see how this plays out.”
The SharkyStrator SNG Registrator in operation:
The various kinds of complementary software have been an issue for long in online poker. HUDs, for example, show statistics of your opponents and Table Ninja simplifies multi-tabling significantly, including hotkeys for different actions and setting amounts with which to raise or bet on the different streets. However, these software still require a decision from the player and they have to manually take action, unlike auto-seating scripts. This does not mean by any means, though, that losing players are not bothered by legally used software; many rooms have tried to ban them, as a result, altogether.
Following Black Friday, online poker rooms kept waging a bitter war for players and took action to keep recreational players at the tables. In order to achieve that, they needed to ban all factors that are proved to significantly corrupt the game experience. Auto-seating scripts tend to become such a factor.
While it may still be a bit down the road for the rooms and networks to effectively protect players from present and newly appearing software deemed harmful, the first steps have been made.
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