Ghosting
Also: ghosted
A form of online cheating in which somebody other than the account holder plays the hands, or tells the account holder what to do in real time. It is banned everywhere, and it is treated as seriously as multi-accounting or collusion.
Ghosting usually surfaces late in large tournaments, where the money is worth the risk to the people who do it. Operators look for the signature: a player whose decision times, bet sizings and win rate change abruptly deep in an event, often alongside a shared device or network with a stronger player.
The penalties are the harshest the rules allow — confiscated prize money, closed accounts and permanent bans — because the integrity of results is the only product an online room really sells.
Related terms
Full glossaryFrequently asked questions
Is getting advice on a hand from a friend ghosting?
Yes, if it happens while the hand is live. Discussing hands after the session is normal study; real-time help is cheating.