Field guide

Ghosting (Real-Time Assistance)

How it works

A form of cheating where a player receives real-time advice or decision assistance from a stronger player, often via hidden communication devices, during live or online play. In live games, hidden earpieces or vibrating devices relay advice from an accomplice watching a live stream or from another location. Online, players share screens or use TeamViewer to let a stronger player make decisions for them. Tournament streams with hole cards visible create ghosting opportunities.

On the record

Multiple online poker scandals have involved players sharing accounts or receiving real-time help. Live tournament ghosting has been suspected in major events where players seemed to have impossible reads.

Published as a detection reference for surveillance, compliance and gaming-operations professionals. Thresholds and tuning are set by the property. Nothing here is instruction — the method is described so it can be recognised.