Players Who Are Smelly

[Poker Jack]

Hi there,

a couple of days ago, I dealt a game where there was a player sitting to my right who smelled really bad. I won't go into much detail about the smell, but it was without doubt the most disgusting smell I have ever encountered (even the occasional homeless passing you by in the subway didn't smell that bad).

Now, if you were floorman, how'd you address the issue? I mean, you should clearly talk to the guy (especially since he is known to smell bad and other players occasionally complain about it), but what are the right words to use so that you don't offend him?

Thanks

[William]

First thing is to take him aside. You obviously don't want to do this at the table with everyone else present.

Once you've got him alone just say: "I'm sorry I have to tell you this, but your body odor is disturbing the other players."

If you think that deodarant will help, offer it to him. Else ask him politely to go home and fix it before coming to play: "I'm afraid I have to ask you to come back after you've taken a shower and changed your clothes."

He's probably unaware of the problem himself. The odor is around him all the time, so he can't smell it anymore.

[Dr. Neau]

[72]

ugh... i had to tell someone that before. took them outside, and started off by saying "one of us stinks, and it isn't me." there really is no delicate way of saying it so i just dove in.

[Wedge Rock]

First thing is to take him aside. You obviously don't want to do this at the table with everyone else present.

Once you've got him alone just say: "I'm sorry I have to tell you this, but your body odor is disturbing the other players."

If you think that deodarant will help, offer it to him. Else ask him politely to go home and fix it before coming to play: "I'm afraid I have to ask you to come back after you've taken a shower and changed your clothes."

He's probably unaware of the problem himself. The odor is around him all the time, so he can't smell it anymore.

Good, subtle advice here, but it lacks the comedic impact of this suggestion.

i had to tell someone that before. took them outside, and started off by saying "one of us stinks, and it isn't me."

[Dr. Neau]

ugh... i had to tell someone that before. took them outside, and started off by saying "one of us stinks, and it isn't me." there really is no delicate way of saying it so i just dove in.

How did DD take it?