I am suspicious that someone is cheating in Yahoo gin card game by
activating the kibitz feature to reveal opponents hand.  If this is
possible, how is it done, and how can I detect it?  I am not talking
about an observer activating the feature, I am talking about one
player being able to see the other's cards during play of the hand,
with no one at the table able aware of it other than the cheater.

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Clarification of Question by antagonist-ga on 02 Dec 2003 17:14 PST

Presence of an observer is not a factor.  Suspicion is that THE
OPPOSING PLAYER activates kibitz.

I'm not familiar with Yahoo Gin, but from what you describe, why
couldn't said player log on a second time as an observer of the game
he's playing, using the kibbitz feature, and see your cards?

I've seen kids cheat at online card games like Bridge by using instant
messaging to talk with their partner across the table.

-K~

is there any1 watching the game when u think there cheating

No.  I suspect the kibitz feature is activated making both hands
visible to the opposing player.

From what my experience on Yahoo games .. is that.. Kibitz is
available to people not playing the game but only observing.  There
should be a button on your window that will allow/ disallow kibitz to
happen. if the check is on allow kibitz others can see your cards,  if
its unchecked even if they are kibitzing they cannot see your cards. 
if you think they might be cheating just uncheck allow kibitz.  and
you should be ok.

What are you basing your suspicions on?  Do they make plays that are
very odd?  Is it possible that they are just keep close track of what
cards you pick up from the discard pile?

I used to play a lot of Yahoo Gin and never heard about cheating
there, but I suppose it may be possible.

I know that there are some "cheats" available for Yahoo Pool and
Literati (i.e. line guides and word servers).

The question on the page below implies that one can cheat in Yahoo Backgammon:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Miscellaneous/Games/Online_Games/Q_20791475.html

The above cheats do not involve accessing your opponents hands/letters however.  

As toraji has stated above, make sure you have the "Allow Kibitz? box
unchecked when playing.

When you're playing someone and some other person comes in to watch
make sure you uncheck kibitz - this prevents the person who came in to
see your cards.  If kibitz is on the person can see your cards and the
other persons cards and by using instant messenger can tell the other
player your cards.

Presence of third party is not a factor.