Part 8/12:
Professional poker players, aware of these schemes, noticed suspicious betting and gameplay patterns, such as players folding or going all-in on impossible combinations. The insidious nature of these cheats was evident to experts, leading some to abstain from these underground pursuits altogether.
The Broader Implications and Historical Context
The conversation reflects a mixture of nostalgia and concern. There's a recognition that while gambling scandals have existed for decades, the current case is somewhat less damaging than previous incidents involving game-fixing or referee corruption, which threaten the integrity of entire seasons or championships.