Actually the answer is not as simple as a yes or no, simply because anyone who would want to crack a poker RNG would need to know an advanced amount of mathematics and skill as well as the random variable entropy source of the specific RNG.
However, there are methods by which one could determine some of the possible outcomes produced in a poker RNG. These outcomes are commonly referred to as the Poker RNG flaw. Although knowing the exact and specific outcome of the RNG is not entirely possible, an close examination of how the RNG works will reveal the deterministic approach for one to be able to discover the end result.
Random or Not?
First, an understanding of what randomness is and the capacity of a computer to choose a random number is important to proceeding with understanding how the RNG works and how it affects the relative outcome in online poker. Randomness is by definition the absence of order.
In other words, in the case of choosing a random number, there can be no specific or determined order in which the numbers would be selected. The fact that a computer program will generate a number (or poker hand) using determined mathematical functions, entropy sources, or seed variables, in and of itself defies the true logic of randomness.
Entropy and How the RNG Works
Secondly, online poker sites utilize advanced entropy sources (entropy is a measure of the uncertainty associated with a random variable), such as white noise generators, laser lights passing through filters and even thermodynamics to create seed variables to produce random numbers. The fact that entropy is used in the production of the RNG in online poker, does not give it the true or real life randomness of actually shuffling and dealing a deck of cards.
Furthermore, Claude E. Shannon in his 1948 paper “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” introduced a concept known as Shannon Entropy which determines, in the sense of an expected value, the information contained in a message. In other words, the Shannon Entropy is a measure by which it is possible to discover the information that is missing even if you do not know the value of the random variable used to determine a random number.
In simpler terms, by knowing a mathematical function, you CAN determine the random number or RNG outcome, based on known information.
The RNG Flaw
In online Poker, the Shannon Entropy could be related to the poker algorithms and the ability of a player to actually determine the supposed randomness of the cards in an online poker game. Furthermore, entropy sources may seem like good methods by which to create a random number, the fact is that such information (poker algorithms) is ultimately predictable since the use of long mathematical procedures are involved in the creation of such randomness. In other words, it is possible to crack the poker random number generator and ultimately expose the flaws in online poker.
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