[emerson]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It only matters if they're so pussified that the mental anguish associated with playing out a hand is enough to deter them from making a steal that they otherwise think would be profitable.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is false. If you know that you'll chop with the BB, it can turn an unprofitable open-raise into a profitable one. If SB doesn't know that button and BB have a deal going, the first time it gets folded to button in this spot it will cause SB to play incorrectly, thus giving up some EV to button and BB. Very slight, and not horrible collusion, yet still collusion. Its basically like having a rule in the game that BB and button are aware of, and SB isn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yepper, and it is not just the button. I've seen this going on from various table positions.

I think some of the better players believe that fish are simply there to loose their money anyway so it is not unethical to help them along. I see lots of things going on that place anyone who is not part of the "in crowd" at a major disadvantage.