Ghosting

Ghosting is a term specific to online poker, describing a practice of a player coaching and providing advice for another player during an actual game. The ghosting player will offer real-time advice to the player playing and sometimes even take over the game entirely.

Ghosting happens only in online poker as players are seated in the privacy of their homes and behind their computer screens, so it’s almost impossible to tell if they’re playing on their own or if someone is watching over their shoulders and telling them what to do.

This practice is considered cheating as it is usually a more experienced player offering advice, providing his partner with the type of knowledge they shouldn’t have, thus giving them an unfair advantage.

Although it is frowned upon, ghosting is, unfortunately, quite common, and it frequently happens in the late stages of large online tournaments, especially at final tables. For example, a player makes a final table of the Sunday Million, and at this stage, every decision they make matters. Another player, who usually has a financial incentive (as a backer or/and coach), will join in, giving the player advice on what to do, and, sometimes, they’ll fully take over and play out the tournament.

‍