I understand that when we play online, we are seeing literally hundreds more hands than at a live game. Because of that, we will see more bad beats. Also, online players will be looser. It is easy enough to jump into the next SNG, so why not push all in with my 4s?
That being said, there are some strange things that do happen.
I was in a $30 18 player SNG with 5 players left (4 make the money) and saw a hand that did make me question as to whether or not something isn't quite right.
The small blind raised the big blind fairly heavy pre-flop. The small blind was playing tight the entire tournament.
The big blind called. (Small blind had a few more chips than the big blind). He had been playing fairly solid as well.
Flop comes 3,6,8... the small blind goes all in.
The big blind called.
The small blind turns over aces.
The big blind, CALLING off all his chips, with a K/9 off suite.
No pair, no draw, nothing. Risks missing the money.
And catches runner-runner to make a straight.
I'm sorry folks, that's not just bad poker or a bad beat. Who plays a $30 tourney, one seat away from making the money, and calls off all their chips like that?
Everyone at the table was typing WTF?... Not a word from the big blind.
That's just one of many examples that aren't simply bad beats. You go all in with Kings and someone calls with A/7 suited and hits their flush or an ace, well that's a bad beat.
Not 10 minutes ago I was in a tourney where someone called 90% of his chips (and rolled over q/5 hearts) to a guy that went all in with pocket kings.
Naturally the flop was 5,5,3.
That's not a bad beat. That's not calling because you're pot committed.
Is
Pokerstars or other online gaming sites under any legal authority? Is there an independent study somewhere?
Bad beats are one thing. Really wierd calls that hit time, and time, and time again aren't bad beats.