Ratholing Poker

Ratholing can be practiced at online casinos too. It may seem that it is easier done when playing online Blackjack games, but the fact is that reputable casino sites apply rules that prevent such behaviour. They may force players who leave a table with a portion of winnings to place the same bets if they return within a set time limit.

• Most players, when ratholing chips, try to rathole black chips. This chip is the chip the pit tracks closer than any other. Ratholing green chips is more likely to go unnoticed. Ratholing black chips can be successful if you have a strategy in place that will confuse the pit on the black chip count.
• Ratholing is the act of taking chips off the table during a poker cash game. Here’s an example on how it works: You buy into a cash game with $20. Your stack increases to $50.

A Player Meet hosted by PokerStars recently took place in an attempt to solve some of the more complex issues that are plaguing the online poker world, chief among these issues were the propensity for players to Rathole (to take winnings off the table) and bumhunt (to only play against really bad players).

These issues and others were addressed in a trip report by PokerStars Steve on 2+2, with what appear to be logical, quality, solutions adopted. Here is a quick summary of the new policies that will be implemented on PokerStars in the future.

Ratholing
Ratholing is illegal in live poker rooms, but with so many table choices at the online poker tables the practice has been taken to a new level. Online Ratholers basically sit at a table with a short-stack and upon hitting a certain threshold (double or tripling-up perhaps) they leave the table and sit at a new one with a short-stack. While there is nothing illegal about it, the practice is widely frowned upon by the poker community.

To curb this practice PokerStars has implemented a new policy, which was explained by PokerStars Steve in the 2+2 thread:

The basic premise of the solution is that we track players’ stack sizes when they leave tables and then enforce appropriate minimum buy-ins when they re-join other tables. Joining a table creates a ‘stack identity’ for that table type. For example, if I were to sit at a 40-100bb table with 40bb, then leave the table with 67bb, I would now have 40-100bb stack #1 set at 67bb.

Each player would have a maximum number of stacks at each table type, with table type defined by buy-in range. The maximum number of stacks would be equal to a player’s table cap (for regular tables) and table cap divided by 3 (Zoom). This way a player could start a full maximum tables session with minimum buy-ins, but if they left any table with more than minimum buy-in, they would then need to re-use the same stack identity when buying into another table of the same type.

For example, if I buy in to 24 40-100bb tables with 40bb each, double up on one to 80bb and leave, I would then have to buy in for at least 80bb if I then tried to join another 40-100bb table. Let’s say I do this. Then if I lose 20bb and leave with 60bb, the next table I would join I could buy in for 60bb. This all assumes that I have stayed on the other 23 tables the whole time; if I had left those tables, I would be given the option to buy in for the smallest number of bb available on one of my stack identities.

Bumhunting
Bumhunting is a more complex issue, considering the practice isn’t even an angle-shoot, you are simply looking to play against inferior opponents. Unfortunately, bumhunting has an impact on the entire poker economy since it not only shames the fish (causing some to quit poker).

It has also led to dozens of tables with a single player sitting-out, who will refuse to play virtually every player who sits; waiting for that one fish to come by – and when that fish does sit the wait-list grows to double-digits, further shaming the player.

To curtail this activity (which has grown so widespread that Phil Galfond has addressed it on his blog, PokerStars has adopted a “King of the Hill” process, where inactive tables will be closed if a player starts a table and then sits out, waiting for bad players. From now on, only one table will be shown in the PokerStars lobby, forcing players to compete against one another. If a player joins the table and the original player continues to sit out the table will be closed.

Other issues addressed during the Player Meet included:

• Sit & Go improvements ranging from synchronized breaks for Multi-Table S&G’s to an “I’m Ready” button.

• Random match-making for HUSNG tournaments to allow casual players to sometimes face one another instead of always sitting at a table occupied by a regular.

• Restructuring of rake in PLO games

• New ways to communicate with players

Poker is full of legitimate strategy techniques that you can use to gain an edge over opponents. In fact, you can literally spend a lifetime learning how to play better poker.

However, poker also includes some less savory tactics. Bum hunting, where winning players only take on less skilled opponents heads up, is one of the best known examples.

Ratholing is another cheap tactic that players use to gain an advantage. But it’s not as well-known as bum hunting.

I’m going to discuss more about ratholing, including how it works, what advantages it provides, and why opponents hate this technique.

What Is Ratholing in Poker?

Ratholing is the act of taking chips off the table during a poker cash game. Here’s an example on how it works:

• You buy into a cash game with $20.
• Your stack increases to $50.
• You remove $30 from the table to guarantee that you don’t lose it.
• Your stack is back to $20.

Ratholing (a.k.a. “going south”) can be pulled off in different ways. In the scenario above, you remove money from the table and continue playing.

Another method involves leaving the table and buying back in later with a smaller amount. Here’s how this would play out:

• You buy into a game for the maximum of $200.
• Your stack increases to $400.
• You leave the table.
• You return and buy back in with $200.

You’re basically doing the same thing in this situation as you did in the other scenario. The main difference, though, is that you’re actually getting up from the table for a while.

Ratholing is impossible at many online poker rooms. After leaving a table, you’ll have to buy back in with the same amount you left with (e.g. $150).

You may also be able to sit at the same table again after some time has passed with less than you left with. This situation all depends upon the dealer’s memory and if the same players remain at the table.

Certain poker sites allow ratholing in their fast-fold variants. Fast-fold poker sees you move to a new table as soon as you fold cards, rather than waiting for the hand to finish.

The sites in question will let you stand up from your seat and quickly sit down with a lesser amount. Keep in mind, though, that this scenario only plays out with specific fast-fold versions.

Why Is Poker Ratholing Often Banned?

As mentioned above, the majority of online and live poker rooms ban ratholing. But why is this tactic such a big deal?

It makes sense that you can’t rathole in poker tournaments. Before an all-in call, opponents must know how many chips you have and what it’ll take to knock you out.

The restriction on cash game ratholing is more ambiguous, because you can technically pick up your chips and leave any time. However, poker rooms definitely have good reason for banning ratholing in this setting, too.

The main problem with ratholing is that it takes money off the table. Going further, many players get angry when they’re deprived of the chance to win back losses.

Here’s an example:

• An opponent wins $50 off you.
• They pocket the $50, thus, removing money from the table.
• You and other players have no chance of winning that extra $50.

On one hand, you should seemingly be able to pick up chips at any point in cash games. But the problem is that it’s an unethical move that disparages players and hurts poker rooms.

Every poker site or land-based cardroom that I’ve played at in recent years has an anti-rathole rule. They ban any practice that can harm their business or annoys customers.

Can Ratholing Help You Win in Poker?

Ratholing is looked down upon by both cardrooms and poker players. Nevertheless, some people still use this technique in an attempt to gain an advantage.

The benefits of ratholing are slight and specific to individual players. In other words, this tactic won’t benefit every type of player.

Some ratholing perks are similar to those with short-stacking. The latter refers to purposely playing at a cash table with less than the maximum buy-in (e.g. $40 at a $200 buy-in table).

The first thing that ratholing does is reduce your potential losses in any hand. This method becomes attractive when you hate risking large amounts during all-in decisions.

Another thing that ratholing can do is tilt your opponents. If you’re playing in a setting where you get away with it, then they might get so annoyed that they begin playing worse.

Of course, ratholing doesn’t provide any massive advantage. It has more internal value than anything, especially if you’re a bad post-flop player who wants to minimize risk.

But some players have convinced themselves that ratholing provides a house edge of epic proportions. Appeasing these players is part of the reason why poker rooms ban the practice.

Why Do Poker Players Hate Ratholers?

I just mentioned how certain players believe that ratholing gives opponents a massive advantage. While not necessarily true, this is one of the reasons why people hate ratholers.

However, there are other reasons behind this hatred as well. Many players consider ratholing to be terrible poker etiquette.

Everybody wants a chance to win their money back, even if they just end up losing more in the process. Ratholing not only robs them of this chance, but also takes table money out of circulation.

Ratholers are looked down upon in terms of skill level, too. The general perception is that good players can defend their stack, rather than resorting to pocketing part of their winnings.

Ratholing Poker

Poker rooms themselves dislike such players. Ratholers take money away from games and generally annoy everybody else at the table.

Finally, this practice would destroy the game if it were continually allowed. Imagine how destructive the following scenario would be to poker:

• Everybody who wins a big pot takes that money off the table.
• Those who’ve banked their winnings eventually leave for the night.
• Soon, the poker room has little money circulating around.
• All remaining players are forced to quit early, because no more chips are available.

This situation would create an environment where players had to win quick or miss out. Poker would also be a much different game and one that was less fun to play.

Pros of Poker Ratholing

So far, most of the evidence goes against ratholing. But those who employ it may gain one or more of the following positive benefits.

Reduce Variance

Poker variance can affect you at any point. When variance isn’t in your favor, you can lose quite a bit of money.

Going further, it lowers the overall amount of variance you’ll experience in poker. You can’t lose as much during an all-in pot when only playing with $25 at a $100 buy-in table.

Limit Your Post-Flop Decisions

You may be a solid pre-flop player, but struggle with post-flop play. Ratholing can help in this regard when you’re playing with a smaller stack.

All you need to do is pull enough chips off the table to have less than the maximum buy-in. The lower your stack, the less you must worry about in post-flop play.

Here’s an example:

Pokerstars Ratholing

• The table’s maximum buy-in is $100.
• You rathole the point where you have $30.
• Nobody can ever force you to call for more than $30 post flop.

The amount of money you stand to lose during all-in calls decreases significantly in this situation. Furthermore, you can use ratholing until you improve as a post-flop player and feel more confident.

Throw Opponents off Their Game

Sometimes, you may get away with short stacking, even when an opponent or two notices. These same opponents may begin grumbling without actually telling on you.

They might become so annoyed that they’re concentrating on you instead of their own game. In extreme cases, they’ll become tilted and start making bad plays as a result.

Fairly Easy to Get Away With in Live Poker

Many real money online poker sites program their software to ensure you can’t rathole. You’ll be forced to buy in for the same amount of chips as you left with or have to choose another table.

Live poker, on the other hand, presents opportunities for you to rathole in certain cases. Most notably, you can slip chips into your pocket when others aren’t looking.

Ratholing In Poker

You can also play within the limits of ratholing rules. Here’s an example on how this can work:

• You leave the table with $400 worth of chips and want to pocket $300 of it.
• A live or online poker room forces you to sit out at least an hour before doing this.
• You wait exactly 60 minutes. You buy in for $100.

If all else fails, you can simply point to the fact that you’re within the house’s rules.

Cons of Poker Ratholing

Ratholing isn’t the worst poker sin, but it’s highly unpopular among both players and poker rooms. That said, this strategy has some notable downsides.

Most Poker Rooms Ban Ratholing

The biggest downside to ratholing is that it’s flat-out prohibited in almost every case. Maybe you’ll find a fast-fold variant or poker room where it’s allowed, but don’t hold your breath.

This tactic removes money from tables, meaning poker rooms won’t earn as much rake. It also gets on players’ nerves and can make the game less fun overall.

Many Players Hate Those Who Rathole

You may be perfectly fine trying to float a poker room’s rules and ratholing when possible. But are you willing to play with a bunch of opponents who suddenly hate you?

Poker has certain unspoken etiquette rules. Ratholing definitely violates these rules and will turn the table against you, even when you wait the allotted amount of time before rebuying.

Prevents You From Maximizing on the Nuts

Perhaps you don’t care about what other players think. However, you no doubt care about your own winnings.

Ratholing can be bad strategy, because it prevents you from maximizing your great hands. Your smaller stack will prevent you from capitalizing on those times where you have a nut flush.

Conclusion

Ratholing can provide some small advantages, especially when it comes in the form of short stacking. You can minimize variance and reduce the difficulty in making post-flop decisions.

Ratholing Poker

The goal, though, is to reach the point where you’re not relying on ratholing and other gimmicks. You instead want to be a solid player who’s confident enough to play without pocketing small profits.

Many poker rooms make this decision easy for you anyway, with anti-ratholing rules. Players further dampen the matter by giving you crap about using this tactic.

Ratholing In Poker

Overall, I don’t recommend ratholing, because the downsides outweigh the benefits. But you might still consider it as a short-stacking strategy until you become a stronger player.