Not sure if im posting this in the right place, or what is in place to protect from this (i assume there is some protection)...
The IT manager at my office showed me how to bump an internet connection using simple software as long as you can find their IP address..
He was able to kill the intenet connection for 3-5 minutes, but he said it was possible to do it for longer, im not sure how common this knowledge is.

This made me reflect on a poker experience i had a few weeks earlier.

Here is a blog post i made earlier this year:

"So yesterday i decide to see if i can turn some FPP's into cash.

I dont have many so all i could afford was a step 1 ticket for 750FPP, so...
I played step 1 - 18 man turbo and won seat to step 2.
Next i play step 2 - 18 man turbo and win a step 3 ticket.

So i have step 3 $26 ticket and i see a tourney just started with late reg available which was the £24+2 HU MTT with ~160 players, $4k guarunteed, and a small overlay so decide to give it a shot with my only step 3 ticket.

I win the first 3 matches easily and down to the last 32 (pays 16 - $100 for 16th, $1140 for 1st).
Well just before 2am i'm playing my match and feel like i have a definite edge against my opponent (GG GrampGreedy).. I get a chip lead with nearly 3000, he has just over 1000. Then we go on break, and 1 minute before the break ends...

<MY ***&^*NG INTERNET CONNECTION DIES!!> ARGHH **|^**

Literally it would not connect again, its 2am, I have no backup connection, and no way of getting online at this time so i'm literally sat there when i was a big favourite to win at lease $100, possibly more, knowing i'm getting blinded out of this HU match but powerless to do anything about it. Sick huh !

If this had happened during normal daytime or evening i'd have loads of options, people i could call to play for me, places not too far away to get internet connection etc but at 2am on a Saturday night i had no options and only wish I had a backup internet connection.

This actually felt worse than a sick badbeat or even bubbling a tournament from playing badly...
I've read advice from various people suggesting to get a backup connection but never bothered and now i realise that in that instance it would have paid for itself."

Then tonight I busted 88th/~2000 in the $26 rush turbo 6-max (double guarantee).. I only cashed $70 or something but watched the final table and saw something interesting.. (long chatlog)

Dealer: The tournament clock is paused while players discuss a tournament deal.
Dealer: A player rejected the tournament deal.
System: A $207+$9 Satellite to FTOPS Event #4 will be starting in 2 minutes. At least 2 seats will be awarded!
He3HaiKa: no
Dealer: The tournament deal was cancelled.
Dealer: Hand #27636606442
Dealer: MarcMaley has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
_thestei_ (Observer): fail
MarcMaley: its based opon chip ratio dude
MarcMaley: lets make the deal
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (220,000)
Dealer: The tournament clock is paused while players discuss a tournament deal.
He3HaiKa: lol no
MarcMaley: its based upon chip ratio
He3HaiKa: no chip ratoi
He3HaiKa: ratio*
MarcMaley: then we play for it and u may loose 4000
MarcMaley: ur being dumb
MarcMaley: ur getting 8300 gaurenteed
Dealer: The tournament deal was cancelled.
Dealer: Hand #27636664382
MarcMaley: no deal
MarcMaley: im going to try and take u out
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (220,000)
Dealer: Hand #27636672208
He3HaiKa: ok
Dealer: MarcMaley wins the pot (220,000)
Dealer: Hand #27636684082
System: A $0.55+$0.05 Satellite to The BLT will be starting in 2 minutes. At least 20 seats will be awarded!
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa has requested TIME
Dealer: MarcMaley shows [4c 8d] King Eight high
Dealer: MarcMaley wins the pot (720,000)
Dealer: Hand #27636708928
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa has requested TIME
Dealer: MarcMaley has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (660,000)
Tournament Director: The blinds are now 60,000/120,000 with an ante of 15,000
Dealer: Hand #27636731391
Kg_Montano (Observer): HE3HAiKA!
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
Kg_Montano (Observer): ???????????/
Dealer: MarcMaley wins the pot (150,000)
Kg_Montano (Observer): ???????????????
Dealer: Hand #27636738540
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (270,000)
Dealer: Hand #27636746517
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: MarcMaley wins the pot (150,000)
Dealer: Hand #27636753015
Dealer: MarcMaley wins the pot (270,000)
Dealer: Hand #27636757557
Dealer: MarcMaley has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa has timed out
Dealer: MarcMaley wins the pot (990,000)
Dealer: The tournament clock is paused while players discuss a tournament deal.
Dealer: The tournament deal was cancelled.
Dealer: Hand #27636792905
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (1,050,000)
Dealer: Hand #27636814396
Dealer: MarcMaley has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: MarcMaley wins the pot (510,000)

Dealer: Hand #27636831437

Dan4ik74 (Observer): незнайка

Dan4ik74 (Observer): чуви
Dan4ik74 (Observer): ответь
Then, 4 minutes into the break, MarcMaley disconnected...
...

Dealer: MarcMaley has timed out
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (360,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637063650
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (200,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637065946
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (360,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637068084
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (200,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637069722
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (360,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637071959
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (200,000)
Dan4ik74 (Observer): незнайка
Dealer: Hand #27637073656
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (360,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637075612
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (200,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637077317
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (360,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637079605
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (200,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637081357
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (360,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637083802
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (200,000)
Dealer: Hand #27637085500
Dealer: MarcMaley shows [6s 9c]
Dealer: He3HaiKa shows [2d 8s]
Dealer: MarcMaley shows two pair, Eights and Fives
Dealer: He3HaiKa shows a full house, Eights full of Fives
Dealer: He3HaiKa wins the pot (259,992) with a full house, Eights full of Fives
Dealer: MarcMaley finishes in 2nd place and wins: $5,822.59
Dealer: He3HaiKa finishes in 1st place and wins: $9,062.40
....

Now i dont know for sure, but do you think its possible that people are using this tool to boost peoples internet connections and take them out in big HU situations?

Once the connection went the match was literally over in seconds so you would only need a 1-2 minute window to carry this out.

When my connection was cut it happened at the end of the break as well and it seems suspiscious after seeing what ive seen tonight.

Anyone have expertise / info / thoughts / opinions / knowledge on this ?

Thanks

It seems unlikely for your opponent to be able to figure out your IP address.

This sort of attack is often called a 'Denial of Service' attack and is a criminal offence in most western parts of the world - your ISP may be able to assist with prosecution of someone who did this.

I know it's possible to figure out the IP addressses of peers you're connected to via Fullt Tilt poker. I'm also aware that it's an offense, however, I would say its difficult to prove, especially if, for example to the bumping was donw from a different computer at a different IP address, which is pretty easy to arrange if you know someone who can do this...
Am keen to see other views on this as i've never seen anything written in forums about it.

I didn't realise you could get another players IP from the client?

Is this even possible?

yeah right. and everyone's mom's phone #.

It is not possible. You are not connected to peers while playing poker. Each player is connected to a central server(s).

Please close thread now.

Thanks, I thought this was the case but this 'IT expert' was sure it was possible.
Thats why I posted here, and you seen pretty certain & it makes sense to be connected via a central server.. The timing of what happened last night was just spot on for the eventual tournament winner, I guess just a lucky break.

On a moral note, if you're in that spot on a final table HU and your opponent disconnects do you just take their chips staight away or sit out for a while to give them the chance to reconnect?

you have to take the chips cause otherwise you could just be setting yourself up for a bigger crapshoot with the blinds.