I have seen this so much lately that I'm starting to wonder if there's anything to it.

I'm not asking for advice on my hands here. So hint-hint: they both have QQ.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (8 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP2 ($53.95)
CO ($27.60)
Button ($11.90)
Hero ($29.30)
BB ($30.05)
UTG ($28.15)
UTG+1 ($24.65)
MP1 ($43.75)

Preflop: Hero is SB with T, T.
2 folds, MP1 raises to $1, 1 fold, CO calls $1, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.90, 1 fold.

Flop: ($3.25) 6, 2, 7 (3 players)
Hero bets $2.5, MP1 folds, CO calls $2.50.

Turn: ($8.25) 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $4, CO calls $4.

River: ($16.25) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $3, Hero calls $3.

Final Pot: $22.25


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

UTG+1 ($28.95)
MP1 ($24.90)
Hero ($25)
MP3 ($43.95)
CO ($25)
Button ($25.85)
SB ($4.75)
BB ($28.05)
UTG ($8.05)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
2 folds, MP1 raises to $1, Hero calls $1, 5 folds.

Flop: ($2.35) , , (2 players)
MP1 checks, Hero bets $1.75, MP1 calls $1.75.

Turn: ($5.85) (2 players)
MP1 checks, Hero bets $3.5, MP1 calls $3.50.

River: ($12.85) (2 players)
MP1 checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: $12.85


In the first hand, there's a chance that the player put me on a mid pp and played nearly perfect. The only reason I don't think he's just scared is that he managed a v-bet on the river. In the second hand, I can't even imagine not raising there with QQ.

The thing is, I've seen this sooo many times at 25nl that I'm wondering if there's some possibility that against certain players it's reasonable to play them this slow.