"no big online poker site is rigged."

That is both naive and ignorant. 2 of the largest 12 poker sites have recently been done for cheating so get with the programme. absolute poker was a disgrace and if having the ability to see other hole cards isnt being rigged then I dont know what is.

I also know another site that cheats because I have been into the office, spoken with thier staff (after a few beers) and basically kept my eyes open. This is a site that I was employed by as a prop. 300 regular players and ran out of a small crappy office in the middle of nowhere.

The top 2 or 3 sites are properly organised, commisioned, have big audience, media etc. In reality these are unlikely to cheat for the aforementioned reasons. But with thousands of sites, including bookmaker types being overseen by regular staff with access to these 'priveledges on some crumby corner ppc somewhere then it comes to down to individuals many times if not the owners themselves.

Yes there is cheating, yes there are rigged sites.

Yes There are sites with good ethics and there are sites with more to lose than gain.

I would really stick to the major sites. Most players, most publicity, big name poker players. Biggest selections of games, biggest tournaments. Why would you choose to play at anything other than that?