The ethics of seeing a player\'s cards
 

So the other day I was playing 1/2 NL with this fat woman to my immediate right who just moved over from a 3/6 limit table. I don't know if it was because she was fat, or that she simply didn't care, but every time she got a new hand, she looked at it way out in front of her with the cards up for anyone to see. I could easily see them every hand without even having to move my head. I'm sure the guy on her right could also. Maybe she couldn't get both arms in there closely so she could cup her hands to cover her cards? This isn't the first time this has happened to me either. If someone is not even trying to conceal their cards, is it wrong to look knowing you'll get information?

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

If they show, you are allowed to know!!!

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

[ QUOTE ]
If they show, you are allowed to know!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well then you ought to announce it to evryone. After all show one show all.

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

And nobody on the other side of the table said anything?

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

[ QUOTE ]
So the other day I was playing 1/2 NL with this fat woman to my immediate right who just moved over from a 3/6 limit table. I don't know if it was because she was fat, or that she simply didn't care, but every time she got a new hand, she looked at it way out in front of her with the cards up for anyone to see. I could easily see them every hand without even having to move my head. I'm sure the guy on her right could also. Maybe she couldn't get both arms in there closely so she could cup her hands to cover her cards? This isn't the first time this has happened to me either. If someone is not even trying to conceal their cards, is it wrong to look knowing you'll get information?

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's my take on people showing me there cards. I give people one warning when they flash. I discretely tell them they should protect there hand a little better.

After that, I figure I've warned them. If they flash, I will use it to my advantage.

Also, You're right. I think it's harder for really large people to peek well, although certainly not impossible.

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

[ QUOTE ]
So the other day I was playing 1/2 NL with this fat woman to my immediate right who just moved over from a 3/6 limit table. I don't know if it was because she was fat, or that she simply didn't care, but every time she got a new hand, she looked at it way out in front of her with the cards up for anyone to see. I could easily see them every hand without even having to move my head. I'm sure the guy on her right could also. Maybe she couldn't get both arms in there closely so she could cup her hands to cover her cards? This isn't the first time this has happened to me either. If someone is not even trying to conceal their cards, is it wrong to look knowing you'll get information?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think I understand how being fat prevents someone from looking at their cards like a normal person.

If she says something about you seeing her cards, just tell her that you saw poker on ESPN and are pretty sure it is a sport and therefore she should get fitter.

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

[ QUOTE ]
And nobody on the other side of the table said anything?

[/ QUOTE ]

No. This wasn't the most observant group of players (typical for the 1/2 tables around here in my experience). You know, the never-look-up-from-the-table-trying-to-act-like-a-statue kinds of players.

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think I understand how being fat prevents someone from looking at their cards like a normal person.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen multiple people who are on the verge of being obese who can't put both arms together, hands down on the table, and then lift up the cards slightly to see their hand. It makes sense considering that if they actually did achieve getting the arms that close together (while already being cramped at a full table, which is sometimes too narrow for a skinny person), that they literally could not see over their bellies to view the cards. Again, I'm not talking about a guy who has let his beer gut get mildly out of control, but people who are very large.

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've seen multiple people who are on the verge of being obese who can't put both arms together, hands down on the table, and then lift up the cards slightly to see their hand. It makes sense considering that if they actually did achieve getting the arms that close together (while already being cramped at a full table, which is sometimes too narrow for a skinny person), that they literally could not see over their bellies to view the cards. Again, I'm not talking about a guy who has let his beer gut get mildly out of control, but people who are very large.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm still having trouble picturing someone so big they can't look at their hole cards... in any case, people that big are likely used to having to do normal things differently because of their size. No shame in telling them they can't play poker without paying for two seats and sitting in a slightly lower chair so their gut goes below the table.

However... I don't know why you'd say anything at all. I'd love to have the person next to me showing their cards. There is an old man who is a regular at Foxwoods in the 2/5 game (short, very thin, foreign) who does a very bad job concealing his cards. I sat on his left the first time I ever played with him and saw his hands... in one hand against him when he turned an A-high flush and then made a large bet on the river, I announced to the table that I was folding the K-high flush because "I am so good at reading hands." He showed his hand, and no one bluffed me for the rest of the day.

Re: The ethics of observing fat players...
 

"The ethics of observing fat players..."

I fail to see how the person's size has anything to do with your question. There are all kinds of people who do a poor job of protecting their cards, fat and skinny alike. Your whole post comes off as a thinly veiled attempt to make fun of overweight people.

Grow up.