Players who “sit out” — what’s their strategy?

[wushibala]

It really annoys me when I join a freeroll on 888poker and out of 8 or 9 registered players, only 3 are actually playing — the rest are just sitting out.
I just don’t understand the strategy behind this.
Are they bots? Are they just hoping to blind into the money?
If anyone knows what’s going on here, I’d love to hear your thoughts

 

[Omar.Imrane]

It’s definitely frustrating when you see the table almost empty, with players registered but not actually playing.
I’ve noticed the same thing, especially in 888poker freerolls, and I think it’s often because some players register automatically (through reminders or external tools) and then forget or just ignore it.

Some might actually be trying to "sneak" into the paid spots by sitting out and hoping others bust first. But honestly, that’s not a smart strategy — they usually lose their blinds quickly and don’t make it far.

As for whether they’re bots — maybe, but not always. Some of them are real people with a “register and leave it” mindset 😅

Have you ever busted from a freeroll because of players like that? Or were you able to take advantage of their absence?

 

[puzzlefish]

There is no strategy in that. They mass register into freerolls and likely forget to play or just can't stay up.

 

[Mario7]

I do not think it is any kind of tactic. If it were a tactic, we could as well observe it in paid tourneys.
In freerolls, they do it because they do not lose any money, so they register, not being sure if they will be able to participate.
But on the other hand, I do not understand the frustration - the more "zombies" at the table, the easier it is to win for active players.

 

[wrzlbrnft]

I like them, it's easy to collect their blinds

 

[hardongear]

There is no strategy. They are mostly players who registered and forgot about the freeroll because they didn't spend real money to get in so don't really care. Big reason why freerolls are bingo and lotteries. There hyper/fast speed and no one really cares cause they didn't spend any $$$ on the entry fee.

Cheers!!!

 

[fundiver199]

Are they just hoping to blind into the money?

On some sites a player sitting out can still win the pot, if they are forced all-in. So on such sites there is actually a small chance to cash without actively playing a single hand. And since it cost nothing to enter a freeroll, some people will do if, even though they dont have time to or want to play.

 

[TeUnit]

The people that register with no intent to play are the same jabronies that you see open limping with sitters in the next game.

 

[successlaw]

Usually the registration starts 1-2 days earlier and people forget about that and that s why so many sit outs

 

[fundiver199]

It really annoys me when I join a freeroll on 888poker and out of 8 or 9 registered players, only 3 are actually playing — the rest are just sitting out.

It basically mean, you are playing 3-handed with a ton of dead chips up for grasp, which increase your chance of cashing. So rather than being annoyed you should be happy, when you end on such a table. Sure it affects the playing experience, but if you are looking for a more normal playing experience, then play a regular microstakes MTT instead of a freeroll. What you pay is what you get

 

[bazza155]

Not played on 888 but the strategy is simple, its a freeroll so cost you nothing and depending on the size of the table the bigger the better as blinds take longer to come round and the site/game wanting to keep people playing for longer by making all ins win more often you can sneak into the prizes and add a few pennies/tickets to your bankroll.
I have done this a few times when i have been going out or going to bed and have pick up a few small prizes.

 

[wushibala]

Usually the registration starts 1-2 days earlier and people forget about that and that s why so many sit outs

These $200 and $50 freerolls run every other hour, switching back and forth — and the situation is always the same.
So you can’t just say someone “forgot” — it’s happening too consistently for that.

 

[wushibala]

I do not think it is any kind of tactic. If it were a tactic, we could as well observe it in paid tourneys.
In freerolls, they do it because they do not lose any money, so they register, not being sure if they will be able to participate.
But on the other hand, I do not understand the frustration - the more "zombies" at the table, the easier it is to win for active players.

I can't fully agree with you on that, because when only 2 out of 8 players are actually playing, it’s kind of a coin flip.
You either bust out quickly or build a stack — everything depends on whether the cards go your way.

 

[wushibala]

On some sites a player sitting out can still win the pot, if they are forced all-in. So on such sites there is actually a small chance to cash without actively playing a single hand. And since it cost nothing to enter a freeroll, some people will do if, even though they dont have time to or want to play.

I feel the same way.
I’ve noticed that even though it’s rare, some of these sit-out players actually make it to the money.
I guess that’s their strategy — just survive the early phase and hope for the best.

 

[Mario7]

I can't fully agree with you on that, because when only 2 out of 8 players are actually playing, it’s kind of a coin flip.
You either bust out quickly or build a stack — everything depends on whether the cards go your way.

Of course, the tactic with 2 or 3 players is different than with 8-9 players, but anyway, the blinds of inactive players is ALWAYS a profit for active ones. It is a dead money just shared between those who play.

 

[sandy358]

It really annoys me when I join a freeroll on 888poker and out of 8 or 9 registered players, only 3 are actually playing — the rest are just sitting out.
I just don’t understand the strategy behind this.
Are they bots? Are they just hoping to blind into the money?
If anyone knows what’s going on here, I’d love to hear your thoughts

Their strategy is to register on the tourney, just forget about it and go on with their day. Freerolls are free so there is nothing at stake.

I'm not sure why some people here hate them, they are basically free blinds.

 

[infonazar]

It really annoys me when I join a freeroll on 888poker and out of 8 or 9 registered players, only 3 are actually playing — the rest are just sitting out.
I just don’t understand the strategy behind this.
Are they bots? Are they just hoping to blind into the money?
If anyone knows what’s going on here, I’d love to hear your thoughts

Freerolls at 888 are a separate story. Players don't take them seriously. Someone plays all hands in a row, someone registers and doesn't play, there are those who like to just stall for time, and there are those for whom emoticons matter more than their cards. Freerolls at 888 are another story. But if something annoys you, the problem is with you, not your opponents

 

[machinm19]

Sometimes I register with the best of intentions of playing and then things crop up, nappy changes, bottle feeds it could be anything. I’m not actually thinking about any type of strategy I just can’t get online as they are mostly 2 handed jobs. I’ve had to leave many games and just blind out a lot these last couple of years which has diminished my enthusiasm as I know I can’t realistically play an entire tournament. I’m hoping I can balance things better now.

 

[Risto234]

It really annoys me when I join a freeroll on 888poker and out of 8 or 9 registered players, only 3 are actually playing — the rest are just sitting out.
I just don’t understand the strategy behind this.
Are they bots? Are they just hoping to blind into the money?
If anyone knows what’s going on here, I’d love to hear your thoughts

Not sure whether they have changed that over time but previously in 888 you could easily your way into (atleast) min cash should you sit out entire tournament - so perhaps you should also try this minimum effort needing time-saving "strategy" ...

 

[NLDir]

It really annoys me when I join a freeroll on 888poker and out of 8 or 9 registered players, only 3 are actually playing — the rest are just sitting out.
I just don’t understand the strategy behind this.
Are they bots? Are they just hoping to blind into the money?
If anyone knows what’s going on here, I’d love to hear your thoughts

It is really frustrating to see 1 or 2 players in ''sit out'' I don't like that, I like the action and this is one thing I would like that they chance the oppertunity to sit-out.
Okay, you can lose connection for a bit or something like that, but it would be better that they set a limit of time for sitting out, like 30 minutes at maximum, or is that not possible?

 

[wushibala]

It is really frustrating to see 1 or 2 players in ''sit out'' I don't like that, I like the action and this is one thing I would like that they chance the oppertunity to sit-out.
Okay, you can lose connection for a bit or something like that, but it would be better that they set a limit of time for sitting out, like 30 minutes at maximum, or is that not possible?

Some poker sites fight sit-outs better than others. On 888, sit-out players go all-in and sometimes even make the money. Other sites just fold their hands or kick them after 15–30 minutes. 888 should do the same.

 

[thedarkman]

There can be all sorts of reasons. In a big freeroll, a lot of people may not turn up, especially if registration started a week or more ago.

Make use of it and steal the blinds.