Once a Poker Cheater, Always a Poker Cheater?

Many people sincerely believe that poker is all about cheating. Frankly, with so many cheating poker maneuvers being invented regularly, it's no wonder that some people think that cheating has become an inseparable part of the game. While the more seasoned poker players would probably disagree with such a notion, because professional poker play takes pride in its high level of integrity, non-playing individuals as well as poker amateurs are very likely support the idea that poker can not exist without cheaters.

In our opinion, whether or not cheating is a vital ingredient in poker depends on the level of play. When it comes to prestigious live competitions like the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the World Poker Tour (WPT) any cheating maneuver automatically leads to disqualification. This means that the operators of these tournaments are strictly against cheaters. However, when it comes to poker games organized at home where the overall atmosphere is more relaxed, players can typically do whatever they want. It's like they say 'you ain't cheating if you don't get caught,' right?

Although we believe in honest poker play because it's the only true poker play, we are willing to admit that, successful cheating methods are in demand in poker. Thus, over the years, poker players' vocabulary has become rich with many different terms all referring to a player who uses cheating methods at the poker table. The only difference lies in the cheating methods. Other than that, a cheater is a cheater...

Just to be on the safe side and make sure that we are on the same page as our readers regarding who a poker cheater is, here goes an official dictionary definition of the term: "a player who uses any of a number of crooked devices, card manipulation, deceptive tactics, and so on, to gain an unfair advantage over opponents or otherwise win dishonestly." (Mike Caro's Poker Dictionary)

All of the terms below describe a dishonest poker player:

Advantage player- A cheating player who uses illegal playing methods to gain some sort of advantage over his unsuspecting opponents.

Agent- The accomplice of a cheating player in an illegal scheme designed to beat opponents.

Angle shooter- A player employing different playing methods that are marginally legal. While these methods do not strictly violate poker's law, they are completely unethical. Therefore, the difference between an angle shooter and a cheater is only a matter of degree.

Bottom dealer- A cheating player who deals cards from the bottom of the deck. Bottom dealer is also often referred to as 'b-dealer' as well as 'subway dealer.'

Card shark- A player who manipulates cards. The term, however, does not necessarily implies that a card shark is a cheater.

Cardsharp- See 'card shark.'

Card mob- Several cheating game participants working together.

Colluder- A player who enters a cheating partnership to the detriment of their opponents. The most basic form of collusion is signaling hand value to colluding partners.

Crimp artist- 1. A cheating player who bends cards in an attempt to cut the deck to a desired spot. 2. A cheating player who bends cards for later identification.

Crossroader- A poker cheater who travels to different gaming establishments looking for cheating opportunities.

Four-flusher- A cheating player who tries to bluff holding only a four-flush in his hand. Or, a player who cheats by showing four cards to a flush and tries to collect the jackpot without revealing the last one.

Glim worker- A cheating player/ dealer who uses a mirror to read the value of the cards while dealing them face down.

Greek- A cheating card player, a thief.

Grifter- A swindler who happens to steal insignificant amounts of money on an irregular basis.

Itemer- A player who helps a cardsharp cheat. Usually, by sending signals.

Machine man- A cheating player who employs all kinds of mechanical devices for cheating purposes.

Mechanic- A manipulating card player who uses unfair methods to cheat. A mechanic will sometimes deal cards from the deck's bottom instead from the top (where they are supposed to come from) or falsely shuffle the cards so as to locate them in a certain manner.

Paper worker- A cheating player who uses marked cards to help him identify them later. (Marked cards are cards bearing certain identifying marks).

Partner- The associate of a cheating player (they will typically share a bankroll).

Peeker- A cheating player who takes a peek at the undealt tip or bottom card of the deck or one who lets a confederate take a peek at the card.

Philosopher- A card cheater (in English slang).

Robin Hood cheat- A cheating player who cheats for the sake of others with zero benefit for himself. Robin Hood cheat will sometimes rob other thieves and return their gains to the victims.

Single-o- A cheating player who has no partners but works alone.

Skinner- A cheating player who removes cards from the deck.

Thief- A card manipulator. A cheat.

So, is it true? Is once a poker cheater, always a poker cheater?