PokerOK Bans Funds: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

PokerOK, a Russian skin of GG Poker, has announced restrictions on poker funds and stables. The move has sparked debate among players, with some supporting the decision while others expressing concern about its impact on legitimate players.

PokerOK has imposed limitations on gameplay, frozen cashouts, and issued verbal threats to players. The head of the Russian division of GG Poker stated that funds are no longer welcome in the room and that regular players are not needed. He also mentioned that poker is not a sport and all players should be losing.

Poker funds are both important and dangerous for the poker economy. In the past, poker funds have helped poker rooms with traffic and guarantees. They act as ideal testers, providing valuable feedback to poker rooms. However, poker funds can also facilitate cheating by having multiple players use the same strategy. They can share hand histories with specific opponents or the entire field, turning the game into a collective effort. Additionally, poker funds can communicate cards in draw situations, giving an unfair advantage. They can also have stronger players finish final tables, a practice known as ghosting.