Whether you play poker online or at a land-based casino, games like Texas Hold’em involve a whole host of different skills and strategies. However, not all of them are entirely fair — chip dumping is one such practice.

This blog post explains exactly how this deceitful practice works, as well as how to recognize it. You’ll also discover the steps you can take to avoid such dirty tricks in your own poker games.

What Is Chip Dumping in Poker?

Chip dumping is a term you’re most likely to encounter as you venture into the world of online poker. It’s most common in tournaments, but can also occur in cash games.

Simply put, dumping occurs when a player deliberately loses their poker chips to another player. This act is often a part of collusive play, where two or more players work together. The aim is to deceive others at the table and gain an unfair advantage.

Chip Dumping Examples

For instance, consider this scenario in an online poker tournament, where two players have decided to collude. Player A has a substantial poker chip stack, while Player B is down to just a few chips. To improve their survival chances, Player A intentionally loses, or “dumps,” a portion of their chips to Player B.

This results in a significant increase in Player B’s stack, thus strengthening his position at the table. The unfair redistribution of chips can significantly alter the game’s dynamics, making it harder for other players. They are now much better placed to steal chips from smaller stacks, for example, while bigger stacks will be less keen to bully them.

Another typical example is when players engage in chip dumping to facilitate money laundering. Some chip-dumping online poker players simply do this to transfer money faster between accounts. But by collecting casino chips through dumping, criminals can disguise illegally obtained funds as legitimate poker winnings.

Is Chip Dumping Illegal?

Of all the questionable practices you’ll encounter when playing poker and online casino games, this is one of the worst. But is chip dumping illegal?

Well, chip dumping is certainly considered a form of cheating in poker and, as such, is prohibited at all casinos and online platforms. One of the great unspoken casino rules is keeping the playing field level. Poker is a game of skill as much as luck, so when a player dumps chips, they’re breaching the principles of fair play.

This action is often part of a larger scheme of collusion, where players work together to manipulate the game to their advantage. This is certainly against the rules of any casino or online poker room, and, if caught trying it, you’d almost certainly receive a ban. However, it’s not likely to be a criminal offense in the eyes of the law.

Money Laundering

That said, chip dumping can be a conduit for money laundering, which most certainly is illegal. Such a crime carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in jail.

For these reasons, casinos and online poker platforms take stringent measures to detect and penalize chip dumping, maintaining the integrity and legality of the game.

Why You Should Avoid Chip Dumping

Chip dumping spoils the spirit of competition and undermines the skills and strategies of the players at the table. To avoid this practice, adhere to the rules and embrace the essence of fair play in poker.

What’s more, a reputation for being a fair and honest player is invaluable in the poker community. It’s a world full of con artists and tricksters. So, if you want to ensure you’re invited back to games or need a loan (and, therefore, a good credit score), keeping your nose clean is a good idea.

Steering clear of chip dumping not only ensures that you’re playing by the rules but also contributes to the transparency of the game.

Consequences of Chip Dumping

Online platforms and casinos have sophisticated systems to detect chip-dumping poker players. Being caught in the act can lead to severe consequences.

First of all, you could face a permanent ban from the platform or casino, tarnishing your reputation within the poker community. Furthermore, legal repercussions may follow, depending on the laws governing gaming and fraud in your jurisdiction.

How To Recognize Chip Dumping

Knowing how to recognize chip dumping is one of the first steps to ensuring that you’re playing in a fair play environment. Here’s how you can spot it.

1. Unusual Playing Patterns

Be cautious if you notice players making illogical bets or folds that don’t align with the game’s strategy.

2. Consistently Losing to the Same Player

It’s a red flag if you notice a player always losing to the same opponent, especially in a manner that seems unusual.

3. Quick Chip Loss

A sudden and unexplained loss of a large chip stack in an unusual manner might be more than bad luck. It could be an intentional move to transfer chips to a colluding player.

Recognizing these signs can make your poker experience more enjoyable and fair.

How To Avoid Chip Dumping

As you delve deeper into the poker world, understanding how to avoid chip dumping becomes paramount. Here are some practical measures to help you steer clear of such tricks.

1. Educate Yourself

Knowledge is your first line of defense when it comes to chip dumping. Understand what it looks like and watch out for the common signs.

2. Choose Reputable Platforms

Play poker at reputable online platforms or casinos with strict measures and policies against cheating and chip dumping.

3. Play With Familiar People

Whenever possible, only play with friends or acquaintances to ensure a fair game. 

4. Pay Attention

Stay alert to the behaviors of other players, especially those who seem to be losing chips in a way that benefits a particular individual.

Adhering to these guidelines can significantly diminish the chances of falling prey to chip dumping, ensuring that your experience remains enjoyable, fair, and competitive. 

Can you play poker without chips to avoid chip dumping? Not if you’re playing online, quite obviously. You could in a home game, but what are the odds of your buddies being money launderers?

If you suspect cheating in a poker game, you should notify the platform administrator or casino personnel immediately.

BetMGM: Your Safe Haven

Staying clear of shady practices like chip dumping is essential for a safe and fair environment. Now that you’re well-informed, it’s time to put this knowledge into practice. And the best place to start is with a secure online poker platform. 

Register with BetMGM today and play hundreds of cash game tables and online poker tournaments at a wide variety of stakes.