An in-depth exposé of how a supposedly decentralized poker platform reveals its true nature when confronted with a winning player. My story of being scammed out of a significant win, having my account blocked, and witnessing how “decentralized” quickly becomes “centralized” when profits are at stake.

Introduction

In the crypto world, it’s not unusual to come across platforms that lavishly use buzzwords like “Web3” and “decentralization” to draw in users. SWC-Poker (formerly known as “Seals with Clubs”) presented itself as one such platform, offering no-KYC, Bitcoin-based poker games. Their marketing message? A reliable, long-standing community where everything is transparent and fair.

However, my personal experience tells a drastically different story — one that sheds light on the centralized control lurking behind a “decentralized” façade. This article recounts how SWC-Poker froze my account, blocked me from communicating, and failed to provide any real evidence for their accusations.

My Background

I’ve been part of the poker scene since 2015 — both online and in live tournaments. Over the years, I also delved into emerging tech spaces like Web3 and AI, but poker has remained a constant passion. So, when I stumbled upon `SWC-Poker` — a platform combining Bitcoin with a seemingly robust online poker ecosystem — I was immediately intrigued 👀:

Why SWC-Poker Looked Promising

• No Mandatory KYC: Ideal for crypto enthusiasts who value privacy.

• Long-Standing Reputation: They’ve been around for years, which usually suggests reliability.

• Bitcoin (satoshi/µBTC) Games: Perfect for those who want to keep it strictly in the crypto realm.

• Claims of Decentralization: Allegedly, no centralized authority could seize funds or block users arbitrarily.

Initially, it all checked out: I deposited a small amount, played a few sessions on lower stakes, withdrew some winnings — no hiccups at all. The trouble started when I decided to deposit more and move to higher stakes.

A Major Win…and a Problem

• Stakes: Hold’em No Limit (200/400)

• Starting Stack: ~40K chips

• Length of Session: +10 hours

• Final Stack: ~352K chips (after several successful all-ins)

I was excited about the substantial increase in chips. Since a previous withdrawal had been processed smoothly, I didn’t expect any issues withdrawing the rest of my newly won balance. Unfortunately, this turned into a nightmare:

1. First Withdrawal (Initial Deposit): Processed as usual.

2. Subsequent Withdrawal: Never arrived.

3. Account Status: Suddenly “under review,” locked out, and eventually suspended.

The “Investigation” That Went Nowhere

After contacting support, I received an email stating they needed additional clarification regarding my gameplay and account usage. I promptly responded in detail:

• Described my poker strategy.

• Confirmed consistent use of one IP address and one device.

• Provided an account of my experiences during the session.

Then, silence. No follow-up, no resolution — just radio silence from SWC-Poker’s side. Further emails went unanswered.

Public Accusations and Broken Promises

When I tried to warn potential players on social media, SWC-Poker publicly accused me of multi-accounting with usernames like “MichaelDE” and “caroline93.” They claimed these accounts were funded from the same BTC source and used in a 200/400 texas holdem game in the same table.

Where Are the Proofs?

To demonstrate transparency, all they needed to do was show:

• Blockchain transactions linking the wallets.

• IP logs or device fingerprints.

• Any form of tangible technical evidence.

Instead, they took a very different path:

• Deleted entire threads where these issues were discussed.

• Banned not just me but also any community member who asked for evidence.

• Never provided the proofs they promised to deliver.

Fortunately, before being banned, I took screenshots of the conversation on the official SWC-Poker telegram channel

Someone in the group asked a question which I answered honestly.

They even stated in their official channel that they would “show the community the evidence” before banning me. Yet, they never did…

❗️After that my post, I was banned, and all my messages (and theirs) conveniently disappeared. They didn’t keep their word and no one from the community , nor even me saw any evidence, just BAN❗️

The Reality Behind the Curtain

Despite their claims of decentralization, SWC-Poker operates in a clearly centralized manner:

1. Account Suspensions at WillThey can — and did — freeze my account without presenting concrete evidence.

2. No Recourse or AppealThere’s no official channel for disputing accusations, and their support essentially vanished.

3. Community SilencingLegitimate questions were met with bans and message deletions, indicating no genuine transparency.

A Call for Resolution

To the SWC-Poker team: It’s not too late to make this right. The blockchain’s transparency is what makes cryptocurrency beautiful — nothing can be hidden or erased. Return the funds to this Bitcoin address:

             bc1qmmxja8qcsvf54pgntqfupxg9y0xdwkrfudrl2t

To fellow players: Be extremely cautious with platforms that use “decentralization” as a marketing tool while operating with complete centralized control. True decentralization embraces transparency and can prove its claims on the blockchain.

Final Thoughts

Decentralization implies transparency, trustlessness, and a lack of singular control. SWC-Poker’s conduct has been the opposite: centralized, opaque, and dismissive of valid player concerns.

If you’re considering an online crypto poker platform, remember to:

• Research thoroughly before depositing.

• Document everything (screenshots, transaction IDs, conversations).

• Stay vigilant — even long-standing platforms might not be as reliable as they appear.

SWC-Poker had an opportunity to embody the best of decentralized gaming. Unfortunately, my experience paints a very different picture — one of selective payouts, unsubstantiated accusations, and outright censorship. I hope my story helps you navigate the crypto poker landscape more safely.

“In the spirit of Web3, every transaction and every claim should be verifiable. If a platform refuses to show evidence, ask yourself what they’re hiding.”

Thank you for taking the time to read this account. If you have experienced similar issues, feel free to share your story and help protect future players from the same fate.

… Update [January 29, 2025]:

The pattern of censorship continues. A community member tried to share this article in SWC-Poker’s Telegram group, asking legitimate questions about transparency. The result? Immediate ban.

Here’s the conversation that led to the ban:

🟥 Minutes later — banned ❗️

This is yet another example of how SWC-Poker handles any attempt at discussing transparency. They continue to:

1. Ban users asking questions

2. Delete evidence

3. Avoid providing any proof of their claims

Remember: in a truly decentralized platform, such censorship wouldn’t be possible.

Update (22 Apr 2025)

@SwC_Poker is now deleting any reply that challenges them — even in their own announcement thread on Bitcointalk. I posted a request for on‑chain proof there, and the entire message disappeared

(Bitcointalk’s system sent me the automated deletion notice). This mirrors what happened on their Telegram: every question about missing payouts is erased rather than answered with evidence.The pattern is clear — censorship instead of transparency.

If you’d like to see (or support) the ongoing discussion:

🔗 Full BitcoinTalkForum thread: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5528929.0

🚩 Official flag against SWC Poker : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=trust;flag=3394

#SWC-Poker #BTCPOKER #CryptoPoker #SealsWith Clubs #DecentralizePoker #Web3Poker