Collusion or just being friendly?

[autobet]

I have seen this happen in card rooms. Bay 101 in San Jose to name one.

From a competitive point of view, this always bothers me as an outsider. Even though it is "between the brothers", it makes you wonder if the rest of the game is on the up and up. Are there going to be any teaming/signaling when two of them are in a pot with an outsider?

From a social point of view, it is less bothersome. A lot of people look at chopping the blinds, or not betting with your buddies when heads up as being friendly...Also, I'm sure a lot of players don't have a lot of money (and are losing players), so they are looking stretch out their gambling dollar by not playing too many pots.