Complaint Review: Bovada Online Poker

SUMMARY
Analyzing data on outcomes of Bovada's poker tournaments and hands shows a strong statistical case that results are being manipulated, either by Bovada itself or by users who are cheating that Bovada has not been able to stop. The data also shows a trend of weaker hands beating stronger hands. Also, "rollover requirements" tend to lock your funds

METHODOLOGY
My analysis was conducted on conrete probabilities primarily of double-up tournaments. Format: 6 players buy in, blinds increase at timed intervals, and the tournament ends once 3 players are eliminated. The 3 winners are awarded double their buy-in amount. So, my calculations are based on the situation where 4 players remain (i.e. 1 more needs to be eliminated for the remaining 3 to win the tournament), and 1 or more opponents go all-in pre-flop. I calculate the odds of the shortest stack (i.e. the player at risk) winning the hand using Poker Stove software. Then, I multiply each failed attempt to knockout the shortest stack using this format until eventually I either win or lose the tournament. Then, I can compare the odds of my winning and compare that to what actually happened.

RESULTS
I played over 200 double up tournaments and turned a small profit. Before I cashed any money out, there was a very slight losing skew (i.e. losing more often than the odds indicated should happen) of about -5.2%. Not too bad. After cashing out $900, the outlier results began in earnest. After 300 such tournaments, the losing skew increased to about -30%.

I have contacted Bovada several times to report suspicious activity and extremely unlikely outcomes on a regular basis, but they respond by saying that they have no reason to suspect cheating and have no motive to take players money unfairly. Now, it doesn't take a genious to know they could make more money by inserting bots into the mix and/or skew results towards weaker hands and players so as to keep as many players funded and playing (and not making much profit) as possible.

Also, it is important to note that Bovada will use a myriad of methods to lock your funds into their site via "rollover requirements". This means that when you deposit funds and receive a bonus (like the 50% sports bet bonus for initial deposit), they lock that money in until you have wagered it 21 times over. You free up $1 per 3 poker points earned. You must risk $21.00 to earn 3 poker points. So, if you deposited $100 and used the 50% matching sports bet bonus, regardless of whether or not you win that bet, you will be required to wager $2,100 over time before you can cash out that $100.