user-1: I play a lot on ICC, and I notice they offer a few days of rated blitz and other time controls.
I'd like to play more rated games, however I'm afraid of how easy it is to cheat online. It seems like there is nothing stopping someone from having a laptop with them and making moves by running the game through stockfish. They could screw up just enough to evade "bot behavior" detection.
Are these types of games worth playing at all? Or should I just stick to going to the club once a week for classic games?

user12629: First of all, the vast majority of people are not cheating.  If they were, 1200 would be a master rating, and it's not.
Second, in a USCF rated game, you're not anonymous.  The games are connected to your real name and your USCF membership.  There might be some people willing to cheat anonymously who would be less willing if it could be traced back to them personally, and possibly put their offline membership at risk, rather than simply forcing them to make a new online account.  
Third... yes, some people cheat.  If you do play against Stockfish (with or without added mistakes) once or twice, so what?  It won't be most of the time.
Fourth, if you're worried about cheaters affecting your rating, it appears that online play currently only affects your USCF "Blitz" rating, not your "Regular" USCF rating.  
In summary:  If you think it would otherwise be a good idea, there's no reason to let the prospect of cheaters dissuade you.  (Although skipping club to play online would just be silly in most cases.)

-1: <p>I play a lot on ICC, and I notice they offer a few days of rated blitz and other time controls.</p>

<p>I'd like to play more rated games, however I'm afraid of how easy it is to cheat online. It seems like there is nothing stopping someone from having a laptop with them and making moves by running the game through stockfish. They could screw up just enough to evade "bot behavior" detection.</p>

<p>Are these types of games worth playing at all? Or should I just stick to going to the club once a week for classic games?</p>
 12629: <p>First of all, the vast majority of people are not cheating.  If they were, 1200 would be a master rating, and it's not.</p>

<p>Second, in a USCF rated game, you're not anonymous.  The games are connected to your real name and your USCF membership.  There might be some people willing to cheat anonymously who would be less willing if it could be traced back to them personally, and possibly put their offline membership at risk, rather than simply forcing them to make a new online account.  </p>

<p>Third... yes, some people cheat.  If you do play against Stockfish (with or without added mistakes) once or twice, so what?  It won't be most of the time.</p>

<p>Fourth, if you're worried about cheaters affecting your rating, it appears that online play currently only affects your USCF "Blitz" rating, not your "Regular" USCF rating.  </p>

<p>In summary:  If you think it would otherwise be a good idea, there's no reason to let the prospect of cheaters dissuade you.  (Although skipping club to play online would just be silly in most cases.)</p>
