A quick question for you all!

[Haggis]

A friend of mine has asked me to ask a question on his behalf regarding different types of play for different types of platforms.

In online poker there are many different graphical representations of a poker table; some have an empty chair for the player to virtually sit at (thus taking that spot in the circuit), and others have images, some still, some moving that are supposed to represent a player on that table. Occasionally the game is purely played via text with no images at all.



Do players become more engaged with a graphical avatar instead of an empty chair or text based player?

Do players play as a persona when they are able to design their own avatar?

What do you guys think?

[RevStu]

I like an empty chair. None of the selectable avatars ever look much like me, and some places don't even give you any choice, depicting you as a busty blonde in a cocktail dress one hand, then moving you to a new table where you're a fat bald bloke or a gangsta-type black guy. Empty chairs mean a much less cluttered game screen, too.

[Dice Man]

I agree with RevStu when it comes to those platforms where they have the same characters who always sit in the same position around the table. I find that boring. I prefer completely blank spaces. Even software with real-looking seats and a poker table that actually looks like a dealer is a bit shit IMO. When I play on FTP I play with the racetrack background and no avatars because they're a bit distracting. I find that players play slightly differently dependng on what avatar they have (ie their avatar tells you soemthing about their personality), but it's never a big enough factor to make a real difference, so better to have them off I think.

I think the only exception to all this is PKR because you can make your guy look a bit like you. I still have all the stupid actions of my opponents turned off though because they are pointless and distracting.

[RevStu]

Ooh, an excellent new sig there for me, I think.

[Dice Man]

Ooh, an excellent new sig there for me, I think.

That was taken out of context. At least put an ellipsis in!

[S6TAV]

I dont really care what is round the table TBH but come to think of it I only use software that has empty chairs.

I was watching a friend on FT suckout against another player. Then the other players avatar changed to a angry expression so to stick the needle in more my friend changed his to a happy expression. That other player went on tilt and donk away more of his money.
That's the only good thing I can think about having avatars

[johnnym85]

I was watching a friend on FT suckout against another player. Then the other players avatar changed to a angry expression so to stick the needle in more my friend changed his to a happy expression. That other player went on tilt and donk away more of his money.
That's the only good thing I can think about having avatars

Gotta agree with you there

[Haggis]

any more for any more?

All opinions welcome (except Walties of course!)

[tfeilding]

My preference is for empty seats and no avatars. On Stars I always switch the avatars off when i join a table cos I think they only hinder me. Since the .co.uk update Ive played far more on the site cos the table looks just how I like when the table is in miniview.

[Rich Ghost]

I dont mind avatars on stars (because i have the best avatar by far on there) but cant stand the ones where its a person. But then again i dont think its just the avatars i dont like, but everything about those particular skins ( i e, the stupid bleeping noises etc).

Boss skins and stars are by far the best i have come across (graphicaly i mean, there are some *cough* other issues). Nice and straight forward, very clear and easy to see everything. (apart from paradise! ZOMG)

I used to love betfair before they changed it. I vaguely remember ladbrokes being pretty decent too.

Nice and simple is the way forward. But i am a bit simple so that makes sense.