[links_slayer]

This came up last night in a 7 player cash game I was involved in with some semi-serious/semi-experienced players. I wasn't hosting so I let the host have the final say, but was wondering how you all handle the following:

We all settled down and started to play after dinner around 6:30pm. We picked numbers out of a hat to get our seats. About an hour and a half later, one guy is getting short stacked (~$4 or $5 out of his initial $20 buy-in IIRC) and has the big stack (~$35) to his right. He was giving us all the impression that he was getting sick of being "bullied by the big stack." and asks to switch seats with a guy across the table from him. A few of us shot looks at each other and waited for the hosts response. He decided to allow it and they picked up their chips, got up, switched seats, and the game went on. Was it the right decision to make?

[agalvan]

I've never switched seats with anybody, but I have changed seats for one reason or another (in Vegas during cash game). I only do it when somebody decides to leave the table and I always ask the dealer. Most of the time, the move was just to get more elbow room or get a better view of a TV. Nobody's ever objected or even given me a dirty look as far a I can tell.

[Couga]

In a home game sure, no problem. Not super high stakes, if someone wants to switch with the guy no one should have a problem imo.

- Couga

[hod]

I think it depends on how serious a game you were playing. Stakes wise it doesn't sound too serious, but I play about that level and our game is quite strict on stuff like that.

If it were a friendly cash game and no one had any objections I'd allow it, but we don't draw for seats - if you've gone to that extent, why allow a player to move when it will only benefit him?

(our seating is usually based around sitting as far away from the kitchen as possible so you aren't in the bartender's seat, nearest the fridge)

Originally Posted by links_slayer

This came up last night in a 7 player cash game I was involved in with some semi-serious/semi-experienced players. I wasn't hosting so I let the host have the final say, but was wondering how you all handle the following:

We all settled down and started to play after dinner around 6:30pm. We picked numbers out of a hat to get our seats. About an hour and a half later, one guy is getting short stacked (~$4 or $5 out of his initial $20 buy-in IIRC) and has the big stack (~$35) to his right. He was giving us all the impression that he was getting sick of being "bullied by the big stack." and asks to switch seats with a guy across the table from him. A few of us shot looks at each other and waited for the hosts response. He decided to allow it and they picked up their chips, got up, switched seats, and the game went on. Was it the right decision to make?

[links_slayer]

Originally Posted by hod

If it were a friendly cash game and no one had any objections I'd allow it, but we don't draw for seats - if you've gone to the extent, why allow a player to move when it will only benefit him?

This was our (myself and 2 other players) biggest concern. It seemed as though he was trying to gain an advantage by changing his seat. Maybe we were too up-tight about it...

[CK15c]

From what I've seen at my local casino, I've never heard of players switching seats, but moving, yes. If they are moving to avoid the big blind, then they must post in their new seat. If they're moving closer to the big blind, no post is required. I'd say there would be no problem in moves such as this, but switching really seems odd to me.

[dad604]

I would say that if you don't draw for seats, it would be no problem but if you draw for seats before the game, seat changes should not be allowed. In future do not draw for seats if you are going to allow seat changes.

The above applies to home games. In a casino, seat changes are allowed, first players to ask have priority. If seat change is more than 2 seats away, generally you have to post.

[UW85]

I'm in no way shape or form a real hard *ss when it comes to rules, but this has never happened in 3 years nor would I, as the host, allow it. If you short stacked and the player with chips is playing as he/she can, that's the game -- get over it or get out. Geeze, I'm sounding too serious here, but really to me that's a load of crap to garbage.

[shadesofgrey]

Originally Posted by dad604

I would say that if you don't draw for seats, it would be no problem but if you draw for seats before the game, seat changes should not be allowed. In future do not draw for seats if you are going to allow seat changes.

I agree... why bother drawing seats if you let people move?

I would have said no if we drew for seats, its pretty obvious this player was angle shooting... and a pretty lame angle at that.

We usually draw for seats only in a tourny... and then if there are special requirements for a particular player i make exceptions. EX: Dude weighs +400 lbs and wants to sit in a more comfortable spot or dude is in a wheel chair and cant manuever to a certain seat at the table.

[links_slayer]

Originally Posted by shadesofgrey

I agree... why bother drawing seats if you let people move?

I would have said no if we drew for seats, its pretty obvious this player was angle shooting... and a pretty lame angle at that.

We usually draw for seats only in a tourny... and then if there are special requirements for a particular player i make exceptions. EX: Dude weighs +400 lbs and wants to sit in a more comfortable spot or dude is in a wheel chair and cant manuever to a certain seat at the table.

Yeah, I've played at this guys house a few times before and we've drawn seats for tourneys like you mentioned, but never for cash games. I found it a little weird, but again...not my game.

Moving to a different table is one thing, as mentioned...but I'm going to protest next time this switching seats at the same table business goes down.