Ethics question

Robk · #1 11-08-2003, 03:58 PM

Playing a heads up SnG and your opponent times out. Sit out or no?

Robk · #2 11-08-2003, 04:16 PM

I sat out. I was just fooling around in the tourney (it was a 50) but if it had been a 100 or higher I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been so ethical. He came back a few minutes later, and stole my BB 4 times before I noticed [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img].

Kurn, son of Mogh · #3 11-15-2003, 09:57 AM

Neither. e-mail support to stop the clock for a specified amount of time. If they can't do that, or the time runs out and you're opponent is still off line, take his chips. Caveat Emptor.

Kurn, son of Mogh · #4 11-15-2003, 09:59 AM

He came back a few minutes later, and stole my BB 4 times before I noticed

See what happens when you wimp out and show mercy? Compassion may have a place in life, but the poker table ain't that place.

Robk · #5 11-15-2003, 12:11 PM

Thanks Kurn, never thought of this. I am so used to playing at party that contacting support never even crosses my mind anymore!

M.B.E. · #6 11-18-2003, 08:26 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Playing a heads up SnG and your opponent times out. Sit out or no?

[/ QUOTE ]
Robk, before I saw your post I might not even have considered this an ethical issue, but then I read your post and started to think Kurnson might be correct. It does seem like at the very least, it would be sportsmanlike to sit out a few minutes to give the other player a chance to reconnect.

So of course I was thinking about this tonight in a 4-player heads-up on Stars when, during the first round, my opponent timed out and was disconnected. But I went right ahead and took as many of his blinds as I could. The only way I could justify it was, anything that goes wrong with the other guy's computer equipment is his responsibility, and no doubt he would take full advantage if the tables were turned. But that's not much of an ethical argument, is it.

So anyway, when my opponent timed out he was winning by about 2300-to-700. When he reconnected, perhaps five minutes later, I was winning, I think 2000-to-1000. I went on to win that round, and then the next one too. But I feel kind of bad about keeping the money. If I lose too much sleep over it the next couple of nights, I will transfer $210 to the other guy via PokerStars.

LetsRock · #7 11-25-2003, 03:45 PM

Nope. I'm all for fair play but part of the "adventure" of on-line poker is dealing with the connection issues.

If I knew for sure he'd be right back, I'd give him a break, but you just don't know. I've been discoed in the middle of plenty of tourneys and didn't expect anyone to do me any favors, nor did they.

I was in one tourney, where 1 of the 4 of us got das boot. The other 2 players proceeded to take as long as they could on each of their moves to give the guy a break. I didn't say anything, but I was not happy. (The guy came back and cleaned them out!)

In the on-line world of poker, it's as much as part of the game as bad-beats. Ya pays your money, ya takes your chances.

I'm probably the most ethical person you'll ever meet. This is not an ethics question in my book.

BogeyWan · #8 11-26-2003, 04:56 PM

Interesting thread. I had never really thought about it. Had a guy time out on my left in a SNG once. I was amazed how many times all folded to me when he was BB. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Also once, someone who had timed out was actually folded around to once. Took the blinds. Raking chips even when you're not at the table. Now THAT's a poker player.
I'd have to agree with LetsRock and Kurn in that it's the nature of the beast. Connection issues are part and parcel of online play. I don't think anyone would expect you to compromise your standing in a tourney when you have no idea of the circumstances or duration of another player timing out. He may have left to screw models on piles of cash. You gonna feel compassion for them?? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Copernicus · #9 11-26-2003, 05:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Also once, someone who had timed out was actually folded around to once. Took the blinds. Raking chips even when you're not at the table. Now THAT's a poker player.

[/ QUOTE ]

Another example why the "fold in turn" button is risky to use.

gliam · #10 11-26-2003, 06:04 PM

This happened to me, I was chip leader 4500-3500 heads up in a PP 30+3 SnG. I lost my connection, I got back on about 6-7 mins later it was over. I did not feel cheated by the other player, must have been any easy win [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

However I did switch to a new internet service the next day.