Online Poker's Real-Time Assistance: A Crackdown on Unfair Advantage
Online poker player Fedor Holz predicts impending bans for cheaters in the World Series of Poker's digital arena.
In the world of online poker, the use of Real-Time Assistance (RTA) tools is under scrutiny. Fedor Holz, the Integrity Ambassador for GGPoker, has issued a stern warning to those employing these tools: "Using RTA on our platform 'will' lead to a ban from the World Series of Poker (WSOP)"1.
GGPoker’s Stance on RTA
GGPoker's RTA Stance
ACR Rocked with Ambassador RTA Scandals
GGPoker, in partnership with GTO Wizard, has taken a tough stance against RTA, closing the accounts of 31 players who violated their fair play rules1. Their definition of RTA encompasses any external aids that offer an unfair edge, such as software, apps, websites, or even physical reference materials2. Failure to adhere to this policy can result in severe consequences, including the permanent ban of accounts and the confiscation of funds.
GGPoker Integrity Ambassador
Rumors of WSOP Bans
real-time assistance (RTA) on the platform
While there hasn't been an official announcement from GGPoker regarding a WSOP ban, Fedor Holz's statement implies that this could be a possible consequence1. With GGPoker's recent acquisition of the WSOP, this notion is gaining traction.
World Series of Poker (WSOP).
The ACR Poker RTA Scandal
GTO Wizard, closed 31 player accounts for violating fair play rules.
Unregulated site ACR Poker has been faced with its own RTA scandals, most notably involving Ebony Kenney and Nacho Barbero3.
That’s the plan and that’s what will happen— Fedor Holz 🐧 (@CrownUpGuy) March 1, 2025
Kenney was caught using GTO Wizard during a hand in the January 2024 Venom. Her explanation that she only had the tool open to review spots during breaks wasn't well-received by many, and ACR's attempt to justify her actions didn't sit well either3.
bought the WSOP in 2024, has confirmed this to be the case. But if Holz’s message is anything to go by, it appears that the wheels are already in motion to prohibit online poker cheaters from participating in the world's most famous live poker festival.
Similarly, Barbero was found using an RTA chart during an online poker session3. He claimed the chart was for coaching others, not for his own play. ACR conducted an internal investigation but concluded there was no wrongdoing3. Critics, such as Duncan's Room owner Doug Polk, have criticized ACR for their handling of these scandals.4
Calum, a PokerNews contributor since 2021, provides insights and reports on major poker events, including the WSOP5.
GGPoker defines RTA as any external tool that provides an unfair advantage, influences decisions in real-time, or allows players to perform beyond their natural ability. Every decision at the poker table must be made without external help.
Enrichment Data:
2025 WSOP Schedule Released: 100 Bracelet Events Confirmed
1. Sources
an RTA chart open on her computer screen while playing.
- [1] Fedor Holz Warns Cheaters: 'Using RTA on GGPoker Will Lead to a Ban from WSOP'
- [2] GGPoker's Real-Time Assistance (RTA) Policy
- [3] ACR Poker Ambassador Ebony Kenney Caught Using RTA Tool During Venom Tournament
- [4] Doug Polk's Warnings About ACR Poker After Their Handling of RTA Controversies
- [5] About Calum
poker fans weren’t buying it.
2. Key Insights
- GGPoker's stance on RTA includes a rigorous policy with severe consequences for violators, including permanent bans and fund confiscation.
- Fedor Holz has hinted at the possibility of players caught using RTA on GGPoker being banned from participating in the WSOP. While no official announcement has been made, this sentiment could impact the landscape of online and live poker events.
- Unregulated sites, such as ACR Poker, have faced their own scandals related to RTA, with Ebony Kenney and Nacho Barbero being notable cases.
- Despite these controversies, ACR's internal investigation concluded no wrongdoing. However, this decision has not been without criticism from major figures in the poker community.
he was caught with an RTA chart open during an online poker session. Barbero claimed that the chart was for helping others in a coaching session, not for his own play.
3. Main Article Revisions
internal investigation into both incidents, but after re-reviewing the facts, they concluded that there was no wrongdoing. Leonard, a friend of Barbero, also ran his own investigation and concluded that there was no foul play from Barbero.
- The article's structure was split into two sections: GGPoker's stance on RTA and the ACR Poker RTA scandal.
- The sentence structure was revised for readability, and new transitions were introduced to improve coherence and flow.
- Unnecessary repetition and excessive details have been streamlined, ensuring the text remains focused and informative.
- The language used is more conversational to better resonate with the intended audience.
- The introduction to the ACR Poker RTA scandal was reorganized to provide a clearer context and more engaging flow.
- The sources were integrated within the article text to ensure proper citation and improve the overall academic integrity.
- The article on GTO Wizard's role in GGPoker's crackdown on RTA mentions the closing of 31 player accounts for violating fair play rules, and their partnership with GGPoker is also highlighted. The use of the term 'href' in the text leads to the GTO Wizard's official website.
- In the discussion of ACR Poker's RTA scandals, the reference to Ebony Kenney's use of an RTA chart during her game at the Venom tournament is provided, along with her explanation and ACR's attempt to justify her actions. The link 'an RTA chart open on her computer screen' leads to an article discussing this incident in more detail.
- Nacho Barbero's involvement in an RTA scandal on ACR Poker is also described in the text, including his claim that the chart was for coaching others, not for his own play. The link 'he was caught with an RTA chart open during an online poker session' leads to an article providing more information on this particular incident.
