Most rational people learn from their mistakes. Other people, just don't seem to get it. Back in December 2007, online poker player JJ Prodigy, whose real name is Josh Fields, confessed and apologized for his actions which earned a ban from PokerStars and PartyPoker for multi-accounting.
In a highly publicized post on twoplustwo.com, Fields detailed how he had been playing on online poker sites since the underage of 15, offense number one. Curiously, his confession occurred just as he was about to reach the legal age to begin playing live events. At the time, many of his peers were skeptical at the timing of his announcement, believing that he was making a self serving attempt to get back into the good graces of the poker community just in time for his live participation. By and large, he was not viewed as being sincere though he vowed to change the public perception of him.
Subsequentially, he tried to play in some live tournaments, such as the Aussie Millions and PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. However, he was denied entry into the PCA because of the PokerStars imposed ban. Incredibly, in September of 2008, not even a year later, Fields was once again caught cheating online, earning him yet another ban. This time, Fields used the PocketFives forum to post another apology, stating:
"I would also love to say that I am not the poker god that I tend to be talked up to be on the forums ... It is unfair how highly I am looked upon as a poker player as well. No one should ever get some of the praises I get ... I assure you I will do everything in my power to amend my past and move on to a more ethical, aware, and self-understanding future."
Word has now gotten out that Cake Poker, in February of 2009 has banned Fields for multi-accounting for an incredible 3rd time. At present time, it is believed he is preparing to apologize once again though it is unclear who out there would actually believe him at this point.
At the very least, the case of JJ Prodigy does show that online poker sites are, in fact, taking cheating seriously now and are cracking down on players looking to give themselves an unfair edge over the competition.
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