A bum hunter in poker refers to an individual who tends to compete solely against less skilled players, usually in heads-up formats, and may go out of their way to seek out these weaker opponents.
This behavior is widely viewed as predatory and not supported by many poker establishments.
While bum hunting might lead to a player facing a ban from a poker room, distinguishing between bum hunting and effective game selection can often be quite challenging.
In this guide, we will cover several key points -
Is Bum Hunting a Rule Violation in Poker?
Poker regulations do not specifically ban bum hunters. In fact, skilled players are often encouraged to select tables wisely. However, many poker rooms identify bum hunting as a form of predatory behavior and, though it's rare, some have been known to impose bans on such players.
Can Poker Bum Hunters Be Banned?
Yes , though instances of banning are infrequent. It is a complex task for poker rooms to delineate between bum hunting and legitimate table selection, making it difficult for them to establish that someone is indeed bum hunting. Often, players who do get banned are found in violation of other site rules, such as using seating scripts and grimming .
How Do We Distinguish Between Bum Hunting and Table Selection?
The distinction is often unclear, though it is important to recognize that six-max and full-ring players are seldom accused of bum hunting. Typically, this label is reserved for heads-up players. A useful guideline is that if a player a) declines to compete against anyone other than extremely weak players and b) is seen loitering in the lobby to find easy targets, they may have gone too far and engaged in bum hunting. This is particularly true if the player utilizes seating scripts , which violate the terms of service of numerous poker rooms.
Is Bum Hunting In Poker Unethical?
It largely varies based on perspective. While many players would affirm that it is unethical, poker rooms tend to discourage it, and it is generally criticized within the wider poker community. Conversely, some may argue that it’s simply a smart business move to prevent less skilled players from retaining their funds.
How do Poker Rooms Stop Bum Hunters?
The debate on whether poker rooms should actively ban suspected bum hunters remains contentious. Nowadays, poker rooms have implemented various methods to mitigate bum hunting, including concealing opponent usernames until a player has posted the big blind. Additional strategies consist of offering fast-paced poker formats (like SNAP poker) and restricting the use of poker HUDs.
Summary of Bum Hunting
Overall, it is seen as predatory behavior, although the precise boundary between bum hunting and table selection remains quite ambiguous. The label bum hunter is predominantly attributed to heads-up players.