Collusion
Collusion is cheating in which two or more players cooperate against the rest of the table.
The simple explanation
Collusion means that players work together secretly. For example, they might share information about their hands, signal to each other or coordinate their betting. This gives them an unfair advantage over the others, and it is strictly against the rules in live and online poker. If you think players are working together, watch the way they bet against each other. Honest opponents usually play hard against each other.
A closer look
In live poker, collusion needs some kind of signalling code. In online poker it is easier, since players can talk on the phone or sit in the same room. Common forms include chip dumping, soft-playing a partner, and sharing hole cards. Rooms deter collusion with rules such as showing the hands of all-in players, and with data analysis. Penalties include bans and confiscation of funds. Soft-playing, in which two friends avoid betting against each other, is a milder form that many rooms also treat as collusion.
A practical example
Two players at the same online table text each other their hole cards and squeeze a third player between them with raises. That is collusion.
Full explanation
Collusion is cheating in which two or more players cooperate against the rest of the table.
Collusion is a form of cheating in which two or more players conspire to gain an advantage over the others. They may share information, signal each other, or arrange to soft-play each other.
Chip dumping and the use of a cold deck are also forms of collusion. In each case the players are no longer competing against each other but against everyone else.
Poker rooms use rules and monitoring to prevent it. For example, hands of players who are all in must be shown to the table, so that opponents can see whether the action was honest. Online sites analyze hand histories and account links.
Being caught colluding can mean a lifetime ban and loss of winnings. Players who suspect collusion should report it to staff.
Online sites can detect collusion by checking IP addresses, device data and betting patterns.