"Do you judge players by their avatars?"
When playing on-line, you need to utilize every source of information. On sites where the players can upload their avatars, what they upload can tell you something about them. Avatars and nicks such as "Prvt_Pilot" and a piccie of a Cessna, or a nick like BambiBuster with an avatar of a deer with a reticle om its chest, or sports team logos all tell me this player is likely to be a recreational player who's interest is that of a hobby. If you see nicks like "Fill Ivy" or a reference or avatar that shows they know something about Poker could mean a player who takes his game more seriously than a recreational player. For a game with very little information, you take everything they offer. Of course, you also need to pay attention at the tables regardless of whether you're in a hand or not. Especially when you're on the sidelines as that's the best time for observation, and one area where a lot of fish make their biggest mistake. When sitting out, out come the electronic toys or they're surfing some other site. By not being observant, every time they're in a hand it's effectively against unknown opponents. You don't judge solely by their avatars, and you will occasionally see someone who's being deceptive about the image they're projecting, but it is definitely one piece of the puzzle.
