Presented below are edited excerpts of a poker forum thread, describing the banning of two poker players by Full Tilt Poker.
The reasons for their banning are not entirely specific, but appear to be for the use of prohibited software. Regardless of the reason, as you can see, they were banned by Full Tilt, subject to a full investigation. But, banned, nevertheless.
Read the entire discussion below for insights into:
- Why you might be banned - prohibited software, 'bot' like activity, bad behavior, multiple accounts.
- What to expect if you are banned - your account closed, funds confiscated, possibly a lengthy investigation.
- How to protest - email Support to inquire and to protest. And,
- Proactive steps to take to reduce the possibility of being banned.
Being banned is a very serious matter, especially if you play on-line for a living, and/or have a large amount of money in your account.
So, read this, be advised, take precautions, and hopefully avoid a financial setback.
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YYYYYYYY
The exact message they sent me:
"We have recently concluded a security review of your account and have deemed it necessary to permanently suspend you from our site due to your violations of our Site Terms and End User License agreement.
Full Tilt Poker strictly prohibits the use of any automated software:
Please take particular note of these sections:
"Any software that is capable of making poker decisions and directly executing poker actions is strictly prohibited. This includes programs as simple as scripts to automatically fold weak hands. Full Tilt Poker exercises a zero tolerance policy on the use of automated players (also known as "bots"). Players who violate this policy are deemed to be cheating, and will have their accounts closed permanently. Any outstanding balance in their account will be forfeited. 100% of forfeited funds will be returned to victims of the cheating."
"Software capable of making recommendations on betting actions during play is strictly prohibited. This includes programs such as hand strength calculators, tournament end-game analyzers and other poker advisors.
Players who use such tools are deemed to be gaining an unfair advantage over their opponents, and will have their accounts closed permanently. Account funds may be forfeited and used to compensate the victims."
When you registered for account on Full Tilt Poker, you agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions.
Due to these violations your account has been permanently suspended and any remaining funds will be forfeited to compensate the victims of your actions.
Do not create any more accounts on Full Tilt Poker. If you attempt to do so, the account will be closed and any associated funds will also be forfeited.
Regards,
Security
Full Tilt Poker"
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CCCCCCCC They obviously think yyyyyy is a Bot. They have banned alot of people for this reason. A few have been able to prove they aren't bots and have their accounts reinstated but it is rare. _________________________________________________________________________________ DDDDDDDD I've heard of players that play insane amounts of tables at once proactively emailing FullTilt support to let them know. ________________________________________________________________________________ FT has a way of detecting a certain players "style" that alerts them a bot is playing. I have seen them close accounts on players who only 4 table. Sometimes these alerts are false but most either can't or don't prove it. Most of the ones who fight it get their BR back but remain banned at FT.
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XXXXXXXX
My Full Tilt account will not accept my password nor will it allow me to reset my password. I have emailed Full Tilt support an hour or so ago, but no response yet.
I had a substantial (to me anyway) amount of cash in my account - can they just TAKE IT? How can they "Prove" I was using any tools without "prying" into my PC which seems highly inappropriate if not illegal.
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BBBBBBBBB
...sure you weren't using any of these?
Macros and Hotkey programs that don't have any bearing on gameplay logic. For example, you can use AutoHotKey, MacroExpress or AutoIt3 to make it such that you 'bet the pot' when you press the 'P' key, but you cannot use these or other utilities to create an autofolder that folds poor starting hands, or that automates advice or actions from any other program, for Poker Stars but I imagine Full Tilt would be the same.
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AAAAAAA
About poker-sites prying into players PCs... Poker Stars has been doing that for years (Party Poker does it too). Apparently players can't use any helpful software while playing poker, or even have it loaded on their hard-drive... but Stars can
- see what all poker related websites you've visited,
- see what all applications you've downloaded,
- look at what you've purchased from Amazon,
AND THAT'S JUST OK FOR THEM TO DO, cuz they're trustable...
__________________________________________________________________________________
YYYYYYYY
I got this in the mail:
Thank you for your inquiry.
The investigation by Full Tilt Security is progressing, but no additional information on your account review is available at this time. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a faster response than previously indicated, due to the current large volume of accounts being reviewed.
At Full Tilt Poker, the integrity of our games is of paramount importance and we go to great lengths to ensure fair play for everyone. We trust that all honest players share these values and understand the need for diligence and proactive measures. We understand your desire to have this matter resolved quickly and your continued patience is appreciated.
Regards,
__________________________________________________________________________________
AAAAAAAAA
I looked into this a little further. The big reasons that people get banned from Full Tilt are :
- for "Bot-like" activity
- for having multiple accounts
- and some few ... for extremely disruptive table play patterns
To date, FT has not done much in the way of banning players for forbidden software application.
In recent days, we have heard of three people that have been banned on FT. yyyyyy in this thread was the 3rd. The other two have found that it was for other reasons.
- one was for having multiple accounts, accounts were consolidated and he's back playing on FT
- the second was because of his table play... no specifics given beyond that
- the 3rd is yyyyyy... reason is still undetermined at this time.
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I am the one that started this initial thread indicating my banning from FT. It has been 2 weeks now and still NO indication of what it happening with my account. I have emailed many times and I have mainly gotten back useless emails indicating we are researching your play - please be patient.
I recently tried to withdraw my money and got back the following email - but still nothing definitive. I will keep everyone posted as I know more.
Hello xxxxxx,
Thank you for your email
Please be advised that your Full Tilt Poker account along with your ability to withdraw remain suspended, pending further review.
Automated systems have discovered indicators of possible account misuse, which violates the Full Tilt Poker Site Terms and End User License Agreement.
Specifically, your account is under investigation for the use of prohibited software. Please see the information below regarding our policies on prohibited programs:
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/prohibited_programs
More information on prohibited programs can be found in the Full Tilt Poker Site Terms and EULA:
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/site-terms
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/end_user_license_agreement
To be clear, players on Full Tilt Poker must make their own decisions, without advice or support from software programs or algorithms. Full Tilt Poker exercises a zero-tolerance policy on the use these prohibited programs. Using such software is grounds for immediate closure of the account and forfeiture of account funds. (100% of confiscated funds are distributed back to the victims of the cheating).
1. The following types of programs are not acceptable under any circumstances:
• Automated poker-playing programs capable of participating in online poker games
• Shared hand history databases, including subscription services, and the exchange of personal databases
2. The following types of programs are not permitted during play:
• Programs that make recommendations on what to do in the current hand (e.g. fold, call, raise)
• Programs that provide assistance in making poker decisions and confer an unfair advantage over opponents
3. The following types of programs may not be allowed during play, depending on their specific use:
• Subscription services that provide extra information about opponents, such as tournament histories and statistics
• Programs that could be used for collusion between players
• Programs that provide or assist in table selection
• Poker calculators that compute poker probabilities or hand values
• Other programs that confer an unfair advantage to the user
4. Notwithstanding the above, the following types of programs are currently permitted:
• Database programs for the analysis of personal hand histories (i.e. hands in which the player is dealt cards)
• Programs that display statistical information taken from the player's personal hand histories
• Programs that assist in learning the skills of poker, provided that they are not used during play
Full Tilt Poker is committed to maintaining the fairest poker games available anywhere. We do not permit or condone any conduct that could diminish the integrity of our games. Misuse of such programs can result in a permanent loss of playing privileges, and possible forfeiture of account funds, depending on the severity of the offense.
No action is required by you at this time. However, if you send a complete list of poker-related programs you have ever downloaded, installed or used while playing on Full Tilt Poker and the circumstances of their use, it would assist us in resolving the matter more quickly
You will be informed of the results of the review when it is complete. We understand your desire to have this matter resolved quickly, but please understand that investigations require extensive data collection, analysis, and the cooperation of various other parties, all of which affect the amount of time required.
Thank you for your patience while this required review is conducted.
Regards,
Security
Full Tilt Poker
________________________________________
Full tilt finally got back to me after close to 4 weeks and sent me the following email about 10 days ago:
Hello xxxxxx,
Thank you for your email
Please be advised that your Full Tilt Poker account along with your ability to withdraw remain suspended, pending further review.
Automated systems have discovered indicators of possible account misuse, which violates the Full Tilt Poker Site Terms and End User License Agreement.
Specifically, your account is under investigation for the use of prohibited software. Please see the information below regarding our policies on prohibited programs:
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/prohibited_programs
More information on prohibited programs can be found in the Full Tilt Poker Site Terms and EULA:
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/site-terms
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/end_user_license_agreement
To be clear, players on Full Tilt Poker must make their own decisions, without advice or support from software programs or algorithms. Full Tilt Poker exercises a zero-tolerance policy on the use these prohibited programs. Using such software is grounds for immediate closure of the account and forfeiture of account funds. (100% of confiscated funds are distributed back to the victims of the cheating).
1. The following types of programs are not acceptable under any circumstances:
• Automated poker-playing programs capable of participating in online poker games
• Shared hand history databases, including subscription services, and the exchange of personal databases
2. The following types of programs are not permitted during play:
• Programs that make recommendations on what to do in the current hand (e.g. fold, call, raise)
• Programs that provide assistance in making poker decisions and confer an unfair advantage over opponents
3. The following types of programs may not be allowed during play, depending on their specific use:
• Subscription services that provide extra information about opponents, such as tournament histories and statistics
• Programs that could be used for collusion between players
• Programs that provide or assist in table selection
• Poker calculators that compute poker probabilities or hand values
• Other programs that confer an unfair advantage to the user
4. Notwithstanding the above, the following types of programs are currently permitted:
• Database programs for the analysis of personal hand histories (i.e. hands in which the player is dealt cards)
• Programs that display statistical information taken from the player's personal hand histories
• Programs that assist in learning the skills of poker, provided that they are not used during play
Full Tilt Poker is committed to maintaining the fairest poker games available anywhere. We do not permit or condone any conduct that could diminish the integrity of our games. Misuse of such programs can result in a permanent loss of playing privileges, and possible forfeiture of account funds, depending on the severity of the offense.
No action is required by you at this time. However, if you send a complete list of poker-related programs you have ever downloaded, installed or used while playing on Full Tilt Poker and the circumstances of their use, it would assist us in resolving the matter more quickly
You will be informed of the results of the review when it is complete. We understand your desire to have this matter resolved quickly, but please understand that investigations require extensive data collection, analysis, and the cooperation of various other parties, all of which affect the amount of time required.
Thank you for your patience while this required review is conducted.
Regards,
Security
Full Tilt Poker
__________________________________________
And then sent me this email:
Hello xxxxxx,
Apologies for the delay in responding to your mail.
As you were previously informed, your Full Tilt Poker account was suspended pending a review of your activity on our site.
As a result of this review we have taken the decision to exclude you from the site. We have taken this decision as a precautionary measure to protect the integrity of our site. Whilst we understand that this decision will be frustrating we are exercising our authority to close any account as outlined under Term 3 of our End User License Agreement:
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/end_user_license_agreement
The remaining balance of your account is $xxxx.xx and you are free to cash-out this amount.
Regards,
Security
Full Tilt Poker
______________________________________
I emailed them back asking for more specifics and details to try to understand what the issue was and they sent me the following:
Hello xxxxxx,
Thank you for your response.
We are able to confirm that your documents have been processed and you have been issued a check for the remainder of your balance.
Please note that your check will arrive within 15 business days.
In regards to your questions regarding our investigation, unfortunately due to security concerns, we cannot release any information regarding this investigation to you.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Regards,
Security
Full Tilt Poker
________________________________________
The bottom line is that I have no real way of knowing if the issue was related to one or the fact that I had used another briefly or yet some other issue totally unrelated to either of these - and I suppose they want to keep it that way and that is why they chose not to answer me.
I did learn one key thing - it was VERY frustrating to be dealing with an organization that was horrible in communicating with you AND that had NO WAY to reach them other than email and then if they felt like it, they would answer you in a few days. I STRONGLY urge people to seek out sites with at least a little more customer focus and way to contact via phone.
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Copyright 2009 R. Steve McCollum
