NL: Why the hate on short buy-ins?

[JLaw]

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Short stack buyin play in and of itself is not the problem.

In live play there are rules in place to prevent ratholing which is taking winnings off the table to protect them.

Since you can play multiple tables online, and come and go at will, it is not easy for online sites to enforce a ban on ratholing.

When a short stack buyin player chooses to become a ratholer then the integrity of the game is compromised.

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I disagree (as both a short and deep stack player).

Most sites have an anti-rathole rule which prevents players from coming back to a table after leaving unless they buy in for the same amount when they left (or more). They could lengthen the time, restrict multi-tabling or require larger buy-ins. They don't, so there's nothing unethical about the player who gets a hit, then leaves to find another game.

The same situation exists live -- you get up and find another table if you want to continue to play short after a big hit. THe only difference is that instead of seconds to find another table it might take a few minutes.

Jeff