Away

[a11guts]

I was wondering about the AWAY feature at the tournament tables.
I find it frustrating to enter a tournament to find players sitting out just to gain possitions. I can't remember the last time i played a tourney with ten players sat in from the off.
I know we need the feature as we all need to sit out for a call of nature or the doorbell rings etc etc but why can't it be timed like it used to be.
ie if a player was out for 10 mins he got booted from the tourney.

When i say used to be timed i mean over in pr. but couldn't you at hp do something about it?

[Patricia]

A lot of people have mentioned this so we are thinking about better ways to handle it.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[a11guts]

Thanks Patricia..... hope it happens soon :waytogo:

[fordie_nas]

i dont think that any player should be booted from any tourney where he has plaid real money to get into....and probably the same for the player points tourneys

[R.D.x]

played a single table tourney not to long ago.

down to the last 4 players. one was away from since the 3rd hand after doubling up to $3300.

before one of us 3 live players got put out we all just folded to the big blind unless it was mr. away whom we took turns raising then stealin' his blind.

after he was gone we played for real and finished up.

we all got in the money...mr away got.....NOTHING :waytogo:

that how to handle aways in single table tourneys

[Rychyrd]

I kinda agree that if you pay to play you shouldn't be booted.
HOWEVER to address the small percentage who do abuse the AWAY feature why not set up a reporting system in which ANY player who has been deemed to abuse the AWAY feature can be BARRED from ANY tournaments for a certain period of time.

Just my two cents

[Rychyrd]

Another way to deal with the AWAY monsters would be to auto fold them instead of check/folding them. That way they can't steal a pot and should also discourage them from trying this strategy that CAN ONLY work in sit and go games.
Why in the world they even try it in larger tourneys is beyond me

[Insider_1964]

When players join a ring game in progress, they are assessed an automatic big blind ante on the very first hand regardless of seat position.

Perhaps 'away' players should be assessed an automatic big blind as well, which can/will be raised and folded by any player sitting at the table. That way, missing a hand or two early/midgame won't cost much (and you will hurry back from the restroom), endgame players will definately stay at the table and abusers will go broke much faster than currently and rarely get a freeride to the payouts.

For ring games, players may join and watch for free ... until they click on the buy-in, then they have chips in front of them and will face he same 'away' penalties as above, and can leave the ring if they are going to be gone for a while.

Once again, this will barely affect real players, but abusers will rarely ever benefit from the 'away' ploys.

[dpianomn_]

i think it should be as it is in live tournies--if a player is not at his seat (the equivalent of "away" online), that player's antes and blinds are taken, and his hand is automatically mucked. to me it doesn't make sense to stay away, but you can't just remove a player from a tourney simply for being away for extended periods of time--that player paid the buy-in and it is his or her right to do with it what the want.

another thing to consider is computer failure--if your system crashes and you're out for 15 mins., you should not lose your seat. just my .02