[SteelWheel]

This is the key issue, as far as I can see. 8-handed vs 9-handed, plus players sitting out/waiting to post blinds makes a big difference. Also, you occasionally see players opting to post blinds in the flop games, so as to get in action immediately. This creates "bonus" pots where it becomes correct to attempt more blind steals, especially against your more ignorant opponents. Some of my larger profits in HORSE on 'Stars have also (somewhat surprisingly) come from the holdem round, and I believe this is the reason.

I've observed a similar situation at those loose LHE games in LA. The nine-handed table (vs 10 in most other places), plus those funny rules about blind posting PLUS a couple of players away from the table, means that a loose rammer jammer style (seemingly emulating that of some of your opponents) is probably a correct style--given those exact game conditions.