A WORD OF CAUTION for players at casinos: beware of collusion! When two or more players know each other and play at the same table, other players should be aware that they may be playing in collusion. Whether those people communicate amongst themselves or are using any other method to help their partner(s) make money, they are playing unfairly in the game of poker.
If you are playing in a game and you suspect other players are “teaming up” or playing in collusion, you should report this to the floor manager immediately. This sort of behavior happens more often than you might imagine. Do not allow yourself to be victimized by collusive players.
Watch for players who know each other, especially if they sit in close proximity to one another. Communicating to anyone else during a playing hand is strictly prohibited. This means that it is not alright to either prompt their friends or to give them any information that may help them win a hand. Collusive players may also make verbal speculations about an opponent’s hand in an effort to tip off their collusive friend(s). Call the floor manager over and report any instance of collusion immediately, as this method is considered cheating and is prohibited at casinos. Don’t feel guilty about reporting anyone either. Simply bring the floor manager over, and kindly point out who may be in violation of the rules. Politely ask them, in front of the card room manager, to refrain from talking with their friends during a playing hand. Especially discourage players from talking to each other in any language other than English. That is collusive behavior as well, and is usually against casino rules.
Collusive players will also raise each other in an effort to drain everyone’s bankroll. This can be a major clue that those players are playing in collusion with each other. You can play your hands like you would normally, but be aware that it may end up costing you a lot more money, especially if you play those flush or straight draws until the river.
Tighten up your game against collusive players, especially if you plan to continue playing against these individuals. Play only your highest pairs, watch to see if they bluff frequently, and call their hands if you have something decent. If you have high pairs, like A-A or Q-Q, simply call their bets. Do not try to be a hero by raising a lot, because you may end up in a “heads up” situation against them. Stick to calling their bluffs, wait, and watch their patterns.
Whatever the case may be, don’t be afraid to report these players to the poker room managers. Be the strong one, and stand up to those players. If enough people report collusive players, and if the casino can prove that they are actually playing in collusion, they will take steps to have them banned (sometimes permanently) from the poker room. Even though your goal is to make money in a poker room, don’t ever lose sight of enjoying yourself while playing a challenging game of poker. The last thing you, or any other player, want is to play with people who are operating in collusion.
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