Max # of players

[enno]

Two questions at a 9-seat table (I have seen both scenarios)

1) If three players are sitting out but cards are dealt to all seats, is this considered a 9-max table or a 6-max table (due to the sitters)?
2) If three players are sitting out and cards are NOT dealt to those siting out, is this still considered a 9-max table (counting the sitters) or a 6 -max table?

Keep in mind that certain hands (eg. 88) may be played differently in the Cut-off and Button positions in a 9-max vs a 6-max scenario.

 

[monkeytilter]

You count the active players.
So treat 9max table with 3 sitters as 6max

 

[Jyco]

If players are sitting out but still get cards, I see it as a 9-max table. Those seats still exist in the hand and they affect positions, blinds, and how the table plays.

If players are sitting out and don’t get cards, then I treat it like a 6-max table. The game dynamics, ranges, and positions are basically 6-handed, even if the table is labeled as 9-max.

 

[enno]

You count the active players.
So treat 9max table with 3 sitters as 6max

But only if the sitters are not dealt cards - resulting in only 6 active players.

 

[machinm19]

If they are completely sat out I would be inclined to treat this as a 6 max, keeping the range slightly tighter than usual in a 6 max due to the extra cards being disposed to the sat out players.

 

[frank174]

Got to be a cash game your talking about,the table is the number of players being dealt a live hand,in a trny your getting cards dealt to everyone sitters or players sitting out because of penaltys

 

[ScooperNova]

Simply count the number of active players in all scenarios

 

[fundiver199]

Keep in mind that certain hands (eg. 88) may be played differently in the Cut-off and Button positions in a 9-max vs a 6-max scenario.

88 is always a raise first in, so not sure what you are talking about here? With previous action it depends on, where that action came from, and only active players count, weather or not the inactive players were dealt cards. This is because, someone opening with 7-8 players to act behind them, are supposed to be on a very tight range. But if 3 of those players were sitting out, then the player opening know, he will not get action from them, so he can open a wider range. Essentially UTG+1 at a 9-handed table then become HJ and has the same range.

 

[WrongUsername]

count is the active player ofc

 

[rhoudini]

for me it’s always about who can actually act, not how many "seats" are there

if three players are sitting out, even if they’re technically being dealt cards, they’re dead money and can’t influence the hand; strategically I’m adjusting as 6-handed

the key variable is how many ranges are live preflop and postflop. If only 6 players can VPIP, that’s 6-max dynamics. I’m widening up from CO/BTN accordingly, especially with hands like 88 that gain value as the field shrinks

 

[letpic]

If the cards are still being dealt to those seats, even if the players are sitting out, it’s technically still a 9-max table. Those 'dead' hands are taking up cards from the deck, which mathematically affects the distribution of the remaining cards

 

[fa1920]

To answer both scenarios: you should treat the game as a 6-max table in either case, but the reasoning slightly differs.

1) If the 3 sitting-out players are dealt cards and auto-fold, their folded range is 100% random. They are folding AA just as often as 72o. Because of this, there is no card removal or 'bunching effect' to factor in like there would be if 3 active players voluntarily folded in early position. Strategically, you are playing a standard 6-max hand. The only adjustment is widening your opening range if those sit-outs happen to be posting dead blinds.

2) If they aren't dealt cards at all, it is functionally and mathematically just a pure 6-max table.

Regarding your point about playing a hand like 88 differently in the CO or BTN depending on the table size: the only reason a 9-max CO opening range is theoretically a tiny fraction tighter than a pure 6-max CO range is precisely because of that bunching effect from the early position voluntary folds. Since that effect doesn't exist when players are sitting out and auto-folding 100% of their hands, you should just stick to your standard 6-max ranges for both scenarios

 

[G0930]

But only if the sitters are not dealt cards - resulting in only 6 active players.

Yes. Doesn't happen in tournaments though. Sitouts ALWAYS have to pay the blinds.

At cashgame it's different .

 

[fundiver199]

Those 'dead' hands are taking up cards from the deck, which mathematically affects the distribution of the remaining cards

No it does not, since they are dealt random cards.