what do they mean when they say "soft"?

I read this alot on these forums when someone is describing a casino, like, "the 1/2 NL game at the Taj is soft"

Does this mean that the play is loose? players suck? dumb? tight?

Thanks for clarifying

[Cooker]

It means that it is easy to make money at the tables in question. However, one person's soft might not be soft for another person. Generally, I think of soft as having several loose passive players (read calling stations). Nothing is easier to beat for less variance than a bunch of calling stations. Maniacs can also be very profitable, but the swings can be large.

[Link774]

Yeah, soft means easy to beat, as opposed to hard/tough. They'll tend to be loose and passive in a soft game.

[SheridanCat]

It generally just means the game is easily beatable. Soft games are usually loose/passive with players making bad plays, but they could also be games filled with weak-tight players who are easily bullied.

The Poker wiki, located here, has a description of different game textures.

Regards,

T

Great, thanks for all the replies.

I noted that someone used the term "calling stations" above, but up to now, having used PT for about a month, I really don't see any difference bt/ "Callings Stations" and "Fish".

I also read alot of people say "there so were so many drunk fish around" and so on. Is there a difference?

Thanks for the link Sheridan.

[SheridanCat]

Well, "fish" is just a term for bad players. So, calling stations are fish, but fish can also be maniacs or even weak-tight players. As you can see, "fish" isn't very specific and is pretty subjective.

Regards,

T

[ QUOTE ]
Well, "fish" is just a term for bad players. So, calling stations are fish, but fish can also be maniacs or even weak-tight players. As you can see, "fish" isn't very specific and is pretty subjective.

Regards,

T

[/ QUOTE ]

OK, gotcha. It makes sense now.