stars: 9 players, 7 sitting out

[fizresh]

table Holda II, 10/20 nlhe on stars right now ...

elky vs. andy mcleod hu, the 7 other seats are taken but they're sitting out.

this also happened earlier tonight at 100/200 - forget the players, but it was hu w/7 others sitting out (and like 18 on the waiting list).

i know this is a noob question and i'm gonna get flamed but so be it - i'd like to know what the deal is. thank you