[Bulldog]

So – I have this question about online poker, and wondered if anyone here knew the answer.

When I play real poker, before the deal, the cards are shuffled, and in a certain order. Nothing that happens thereafter affects the order that the cards are in. The cards are revealed in the order that they occur in the pack.

Now, a random number generator determines the cards online (presumably). What I would like to know is, is the order of cards pre-determined before the deal and stored in that determined order, and revealed in the order that they are stored. OR – before each card is dealt, is a card randomly generated from those remaining?

In the second scenario, the RNG is going to produce a different number depending on how long it is given before it has to produce a card (depending on what the players do). This is profoundly different to a real game – where the order of cards is pre-determined.

While it may not make much difference mathematically, it does make a difference from a Poker existentialist point of view – and I feel I have to know the answer.

[jojobinks]

it depends, and i used to know.

of party and p*, i want to say that one uses the predetermined system, and the other, the other.

also, i'm pretty sure i remember that FTP uses the constant shuffle.

if this bothers you, though, be prepared to be haunted by the "it's rigged" scenario for the rest of your online gaming life.

[smoore]

Originally Posted by Bulldog

When I play real poker

I stopped reading here. Honestly.

haha to the rest of what must be, "ONLINE POKER IS RIGGED!"

[gagners]

Look at it both ways bro. As many hands as you lose due to RNG, you win because of it. It just doesn't show up to screw you.

It's always screwing somebody, and therefore it's fair, right?

BTW, I'm wicked proud of myself for coming up with that last line. If I had a sig, that would be it.

[yeltzen]

Oh lordy. People really need to give it up.
It's online poker. If you don't trust the RNGs or anything about online poker makes you uncomfortable, then don't play.

[Bulldog]

My question had nothing to do with RNGs being rigged - it was to to with philosophy and determinism.

And..my reference to "real" poker was referring to a definition of "real" (being that which is occurring or existing in actuality, or existing as a physical entity) as opposed to the non physical ethereal world of online poker. It was no a denigration of online poker.

Sorry if it was too deep - but hey - it was my question, and I though my subject line was hint enough.