I have been playing in some low value sit-n-go tournaments lately and have noticed there is always at least one (and most times, more) "sitter".  A "sitter" is a player that just sits (or more often isn't even really at the table), and hopes to be one of people who cash at the end because the real players take each other out.  Unfortunately, more often than not they meet that goal.  Look, I truly understand someone not getting cards to play and doing a  lot of pre-flop folding, but I hate players who go into the tournament with a strategy of never playing (or simply sitting out).  That strategy isn't even comparable to the famous "Rope-a-Dope" in boxing where a fighter covers up and hopes the opponent wears himself out taking shots -- in Rope-a-Dope, the fighter must eventually decide to actually fight (play).  I wish this site would do something to actively keep this from happening....not sure how that would work, but hey, they are the programmers.

It is nice to see a site with a real international mix of players.  Sure, I could generalize about various groups of players by nationality, but that would be plain stupid (and dead wrong).  I have played poker (real, face-to-face poker) in the United States, much of Europe, and Australia.  I do notice differences in the game depending upon where I am, but they are subtle differences that really don't matter in the long run.

In short...if someone plays poker well, no matter where they are playing (or live), in the long run they will do well.

Bad strings of cards happen (and can be overcome).  Bad players are "grown" and usually can't be changed. 

After playing here for just a short while, I have once again had to ask myself this question:  "What is it that makes people want to play poker?"

Is it an appreciation of the game itself with all its intricacies?

Is it the excitement of knowing what SHOULD happen in a situation, but often getting a surprise?

Is it the competition of matching oneself against another in a game of both skill and chance?

OR...  is it simply trying to pile up as many chips/points/money as one can, without any thought of the game itself?

In this virtual, semi-real world, without any consequences for not actually trying to play well, I think the "correct" answer for most online players is the last thought I posited.

 It's too bad that those players with that shallow motivation don't know what they are missing.  Poker really IS a great and complex GAME where the true enjoyment comes from playing, and playing well has its rewards.