Full ring versus 6 max

[Mark1808]

Full ring (9 or more) plays a lot tighter than 6 max. I mentioned to a good player that once the first 3 fold in a 9 handed game the game essentially becomes 6 max. He says that 9 handed is tighter due to the greater chance that at least one other player has a big hand. I contend that once the first 3 have folded the likelihood of the remaining 6 having a good hand is the same as a 6 max game, he contends the fact that 3 already have folded make it more likely that one of the next 6 have a good hand.

It seems to me the 6 cards folded by the first 3 players does not materially affect the likelyhood of a good hand among the 6 remaining.

Any comments as to who is right?