It seems any online poker forum you visit lately is discussing, rather complaining, about the numerous “short stackers” on the cyber circuit who are driving everyone nutty.  So who are they, why do they do it and what can we “normal” players do to stop them?

Hmmm…

Just a quick refresher for you, a short stacker is someone who plays the minimum amount allowed in a given game.  This can mean having numerous players in a game with little or no money to bid and nothing to do except take up your valuable time and chips.  Typically, short stackers bid and play by a predetermined set of rules, ruining the spontaneity and strategy of the other players.

Short stackers often make out in the online poker world as many seasoned players see no point playing to win against them. The amount you can win is pretty low and every time you call pre-flop you let your opponents know more about your gaming strategy ( never a good idea).  Because short stackers have a restricted field of play, their moves are pretty predictable and thus no challenge for the other players.

Another problem with the short stacker is their predetermined win and walk amounts. Most short stackers leave the game as soon as they reach their pre determined win amount. This is usually double what they started with; so a little bit more than nothing right? So besides having no money, making predictable bets, the short stacker leaves in the middle of games upsetting the flow of play and the other players.

So what to do about the short stacker? Well, there really isn’t anything you can do. Besides the fact that you, the full stacker, may feel they are not playing a “real” game of poker, they are not legally doing anything wrong they can be called on. Some poker experts see short stackers as a challenge, other simply see them as a hindrance.

If you notice a short stacker at your table you have to decide to pay and play or walk away. But be careful you don’t mimic the short stacker in your attempt to elude them.  We feel you fellow players but it’s one thing we just have to live with; for now at least.