Definition of bumhunter
Aaron Jones is credited with coining the term "bumhunter". Let's unpack the word. Bum + hunter. A "bum" is a small-time punk. He can even be seen as a loser. The word "hunter" refers to hunting. A "hunter" is a hunter. So a bumhunter is a hunter of thugs. But what exactly does that mean? Bumhunters are often winning heads-up poker players, but not among the winningest. They are marginal winners. These players will be called "bumhunters" if they avoid playing other good regulars at their heads-up table because they prefer to play weaker players.
Modus operandi of the bumhunter
The bumhunter who specializes in head-to-head games will scan the tables already open with only 1 player at the table. If he feels that the player is less qualified than he is, he will play him. He may also sit at a head-to-head table waiting for an opponent. If the opponent who joins him is competent, he will leave immediately. If the opponent is a beginner or "bum", he will play it without any problem. We call them "bums" because often players who are drunk or tilting from a loss at another table come to the heads-up tables with a very "bum" style. These bums always end up getting robbed of every chip they have. They are easy prey for good poker players.