Email From Pokerstars Support

[knoxxxy 0]

I just received this email:Hello, It has come to our attention at PokerStars that you are accessing a prohibited third party website known as "SharkScope.com" during your game play. Perhaps you were unaware that the use of SharkScope was against the rules, but use of this software under any circumstances is against our terms of service. Those terms of service are located here: http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/room/tos/ Among them are these terms: 5.4. EXTERNAL PLAYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (EPA). PokerStars prohibits those External Player Assistance Programs ("EPA Programs") which are designed to provide an "Unfair Advantage" to players. PokerStars defines "External" to mean computer software (other than the Software), and non-software-based databases or profiles (e.g. web sites and subscription services). PokerStars defines an "Unfair Advantage" as any instance in which a User accesses or compiles information on other players beyond that which the User has personally observed through the User's own game play. We encourage you to read our Prohibited Online Software FAQ at: http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/room/prohibited/ 5.6. You agree that PokerStars may take steps to detect and prevent the use of prohibited EPA Programs. These steps may include, but are not limited to, examination of software programs running concurrently with the PokerStars Software on the User's computer. 5.8. FRAUDULENT BEHAVIOR. In the event that PokerStars deems that a User has engaged .... in any of the activities set forth above or any other game manipulation ... PokerStars shall be entitled to take such action as it sees fit, including immediately blocking access to the Service, terminating such User's account with PokerStars, seizing all monies held in the OK QUESTION...Can they track this?They obviously should not be able to track what websites i am going to because that is invasion of privacy......so i am assuming if i keep using it it should be fine? everybody uses it....I think they found out because someone was being a douche in the chat and abusing me, and then i sharkscoped him and i abused him about the thousands of dollars he had lost....then some guy reported both of us....and i got my chat banned....but they must have also seen that i talked about sharkscoping the guy in the chat......that was like 3 weeks ago though......(my chats only banned for another 1 week)

[FCP Bob 1,320]

OK QUESTION...Can they track this?They obviously should not be able to track what websites i am going to because that is invasion of privacy......so i am assuming if i keep using it it should be fine? everybody uses it....I think they found out because someone was being a douche in the chat and abusing me, and then i sharkscoped him and i abused him about the thousands of dollars he had lost....then some guy reported both of us....and i got my chat banned....but they must have also seen that i talked about sharkscoping the guy in the chat......that was like 3 weeks ago though......(my chats only banned for another 1 week)

Yes, they know when you are using it and now that you have been warned you won't be fine if you keep using it.You should assume that whenever you have a poker game client open the site is able to detect what other programs you are using at the same time.

[No_Neck 0]

they can watch what sites you are going/programs you are running to while you have Pokerstars running.

[grocery_mony 8]

So they know when I am watching bang brothers while playing poker?

[bbgun 0]

they can watch what sites you are going/programs you are running to while you have Pokerstars running.

So PS can tell that right now I'm posting on FCP?

[ChuckNorr!s 0]

no wonder they ship me money to buy new music, I was playing David HAsslehoff music while playing sit n go and they emailed me saying that that is not allowed when playing at Pokerstars.

[wsox8 10]

no wonder they ship me money to buy new music, I was playing David HAsslehoff music while playing sit n go and they emailed me saying that that is not allowed when playing at Pokerstars.

THAT IS SO FUNNY

[knoxxxy 0]

i just logged into sharkscope and there was a message to all users...Important Information Regarding PokerStarsPokerStars has recently changed its rules stating that to avoid being placed on the prohibited list all tracking services must have an opt-in policy. That means that no stats would be available on players unless they had specifically enabled them. Obviously most players do not know about SharkScope therefore you would not be able to look up other players, rendering our service mostly useless. People who are are only interested in looking at their own statistics are going to be able to do so no matter what PokerStars says as they can simply do it when the PokerStars client is not open.In response to these rules, we proposed various compromises that would have enabled us to continue a valuable service to our users whilst addressing PokerStars' concerns. PokerStars refused to consider these in any way, and refused to explain why other similar services were not being subjected to the same rules as us. Therefore there is no way we can comply with their rules and it is completely out of our hands.With these new rules it appears that PokerStars is now monitoring and recording which websites you visit when have the PokerStars client open (its important to note they are only doing this whilst you have their client open) and threatening accounts with closure. We believe it is inappropriate for a pokersite to do this, regardless of whether permission to do this is hidden in the small print you agreed to when you signed up at the site. Therefore our number one suggestion is for you to play at a different, more reasonable site.However, we understand that some users will wish to continue playing on PokerStars therefore you have the following options to avoid detection: 1. Use the SharkScope HUD - This product now supports PokerStars and has been designed with your privacy in mind. If you launch PokerStars from the HUD (and only if you launch it from the HUD) and keep the HUD open, Pokerstars will not be able to detect you using the HUD or visiting the SharkScope.com website. 2. Use SharkScope.com on a computer other than the one you have the PokerStars client running on. 3. Only use SharkScope.com when the PokerStars client is not open. 4. We are in the process of implementing another option for non premium subscribers which should be available shortly.

[Canadianpoker83 0]

So they know when I am watching bang brothers while playing poker?

omg omg omg omg omg

[grocery_mony 8]

omg omg omg omg omg

now I know why pokerstarssupportJose has been sending me personal emails ever since I was at latinstuds.com

[TheL0st1ne 0]

Does this mean things like PokerTracker and OPR and not allowed aswell??

[Largetotals 0]

wow..should be real interesting on how this all pans out..

[psujohn 0]

Does this mean things like PokerTracker and OPR and not allowed aswell??

# Can you give me some examples of acceptable tools and services ?# The following are examples of tools and services which are permitted: 10. Holdem Manager 34. Poker Office 43. PokerTracker (including TableTracker)This list was last updated November 4th 2008.

[SCYUKON 0]

wow..should be real interesting on how this all pans out..

Two conflicting thoughts on this.1. None of their damn business what programs someone has open. If a person is smart enough to gain an edge through software they have researched, good for them. I wonder if they are going to ban software like s'n'go wizard, for evaluating sng play AFTER the sng ends.2. Good for them for making online poker more like live poker, where you only have your mind to keep track of who is playing aggressive, who is weak, who cbets after a raise always, and so on, and so on.

[Suited_Up 2]

I'd prefer online poker didn't have any software involved whatsoever. But what can you do?

[bbgun 0]

I'd prefer online poker didn't have any software involved whatsoever. But what can you do?

Tough to have one without the other...

[GWCGWC 83]

Sharkscope has been a site banned by Stars for many months. I haven't heard about anyone being banned but according to their terms of service, it's possible.I think the evolution of this went something like the following:Douche bags pointing out other players ROI for whatever reason.Losing players emailing stars to find out how people knew they were losing.Stars turned a blind eye because surely no winning player is dumb enough to point out how badly the losing players are. More douche bags ROI comments.More losing player emails.Stars contacts Sharkscope and asks them to make changes to comply with Stars TOC so that they won't go on the Stars banned software list.Sharkscope declines.Stars puts them on the banned software list.Poker forums have threads created discussing the issue.People still use Sharkscope but stopped pointing out losing players ROI.Douche Bags that still point out how much money someone loses get an email and can no longer use Sharkscope.Don't be a douche bag.

[Suited_Up 2]

Tough to have one without the other...

What the fuck is with all you nit picking bitches lately?

[HighwayStar 8]

Don't be a douche bag.

qft

[bbgun 0]

What the fuck is with all you nit picking bitches lately?

Come on..can no one take a joke anymore?

[king1305 0]

What the fuck is with all you nit picking bitches lately?

Calm down, Francis.

[Sens-Eh 0]

on related tangent on this subject I had a conversation with a friend the other day that points out some conflicted feelings I have too on the whole software tracking tools we all use(or most of us). My perspective is on cash games...In the spirit of the game, wouldn't it be interesting if their was a site that didn't even have Screen Names or avatars...sure you'd have your own login and account etc...but when you sat down at a table you were just Player 1, or Player 2....maybe let it accumulate stats on the Players for that session but that is all. When a player left the table, it would just say, "Player 3 leaves". And when a new players joins, it would just say "a new Player 3 had joined the game". Your tracking software would be designed to reset the stats for that seat as you try and get a fresh read on the player.In some ways, it seems more pure - but then again lifetime knowledge of your live opponents doesn't work that way so perhaps how it is now is more valid. In anycase, having said all that - I'll still be using my tracking software. Because if it is considered legit, I want every edge I can get.

[Suited_Up 2]

Come on..can no one take a joke anymore?

Different if it were the first time in the past 24 hours.

[king1305 0]

on related tangent on this subject I had a conversation with a friend the other day that points out some conflicted feelings I have too on the whole software tracking tools we all use(or most of us). My perspective is on cash games...In the spirit of the game, wouldn't it be interesting if their was a site that didn't even have Screen Names or avatars...sure you'd have your own login and account etc...but when you sat down at a table you were just Player 1, or Player 2....maybe let it accumulate stats on the Players for that session but that is all. When a player left the table, it would just say, "Player 3 leaves". And when a new players joins, it would just say "a new Player 3 had joined the game". Your tracking software would be designed to reset the stats for that seat as you try and get a fresh read on the player.In some ways, it seems more pure - but then again lifetime knowledge of your live opponents doesn't work that way so perhaps how it is now is more valid. In anycase, having said all that - I'll still be using my tracking software. Because if it is considered legit, I want every edge I can get.

Great idea. Next time I play live I'm gonna ask everyone to wear Obama masks so I don't know who is who.

[bull62 0]

Great idea. Next time I play live I'm gonna ask everyone to wear Obama masks so I don't know who is who.

I've heard Obama is a pretty good poker player. Table selection ftw.