What is Ghosting in Poker?   

ghosting in poker

Poker is a game which is quite popular with many casino players for various reasons. Some simply love the fact that the game offers loads of betting options. Others love that it blends elements of chance and skill. Well, the mere fact that the game requires a degree of skill does however make it a bit complex for some players. If you do find the going tough, you can employ a ‘tactic’ known as ghosting.   

What is ghosting in poker, it’s a tactic in which a player who is having difficulties deciding the next steps to take when playing poker seeks help from a third party, especially an experienced pro player. Essentially, ghosting is the art of coaching a player on the best possible moves to take in order to win the game of poker.   

Ghosting in Land-Based Casinos  

At the poker table, most land-based casinos simply require that the player who is playing should sit at the table. Interference from a third party even at the behest of another competing player is prohibited as this might affect the smooth flow of the game as well as the concentration levels of other players. When playing at land-based casinos that do not have strict laws, players might employ the ghosting tactic and seek help from another ‘more experienced’ player. Something that would be more discreet however will be to call for help using a mobile device and get all the requisite help needed. This however also works with land-based casinos that aren’t strict as others discourage the use of cell phones while sitting on the poker tables. 

Ghosting at Online Casinos 

Ghosting is also a tactic that can be employed at online casinos. Well, most prefer employing the tactic when playing online as detection by casino operators is near if not totally impossible. When playing online, players might collude and play together though having one seat at the table. Thanks to the presence of smartphones and other communication devices, players also can enlist the services of pro players to help them complete great poker moves.   

Why Its Best Not to Embrace Ghosting   

Ghosting is a technique which can help players win huge amounts of money by enlisting the services of pro players to complete a game. However, there are many downsides to embracing and using this technique which include the following: 

  • Remain a Casual Player – Never a Master: It’s always good to master anything that you love doing and this includes playing poker. If you use the services of another, you risk remaining a casual player and never a master. 
  • Risk of Being Thrown Out of the Casino: Even when playing poker online, online casinos nowadays have software that detects ghosting among other poker cheats. Once detected, you are likely to be suspended from the casino. 
  • The danger of Being Blacklisted at Many Casinos: Nowadays, most online casinos are run by the same casino operator and in many instances, even different owned casinos may be sister sites in one way or the other. If you are caught cheating at one casino, you might find yourself being barred from other casinos. 

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