Little Things

[Poker Jack]

Hi there,

where I deal, I notice certain things from time to time that I am not sure whether I should react to them, or not.

Background info:
NL Hold'em semi-professional*, commercially run, Tournament (three days a week/ 40+ players)

The tables show a betting line.

I noticed:

- Players moving a large stack over the line to bet a small amount.

- Players folding out of turn to get up and leave the table for the bathroom

- Payers nodding at the dealer to signal they second the check made to them instead of wrapping the table.

- Players counting the pot for other players.

- Players stating what others play behind.

- Players saying "Showdown!" when betting is over.

- Players wanting to keep their folded cards because they want to show them to the table once the hand is over (and getting really mad when you tell them you want the cards to hit the muck)

- Players mumbling something I don't undestand and getting aggrivated when i tell them to, please, speak louder

- Players complaining about other players and using strong language (along with some occasional racism here and there): Turkish player blaming Jews for whatever, British player saying "f$%king this, f$%king that"

- Especially (but not exclusively) Turkish players constantly complaining (in a rude manner) about how the dealer gives them cold cards.

Now, while I know that these things may or may not matter, I personally am interested in running a smooth game. The floorpeople and staff keep it all very informal and are all  buddy-buddy with the players. So, while I want to keep an eye on etiquette and run a fair game, I don't want to be an uber-nit ruining the evening for the players by constantly reminding them how they keep violating etiquette (which I think most of the issues I mentioned are about).

So, any suggestions on how to handle these smaller issues?

*The staff means well, I guess, but are somewhat unorganized and not very skilled when it comes to running a business well and professionally. There's a constant lack of communication between staff and the card dealers resulting in major and minor issues, and a constant difficulty to hold up authority and professionalism, not just at the tables, but in general, as well.

[72]

lol welcome to being a dealer!

about the betting line... it depends on if your room has the line for show or enforces the rule about chips being over the line being bet. some of our tables have a line, but it's only there for show - so players know how far i can reach on the table i tell them so their bets are out far enough to grab.

keeping their folded cards? noway. if they really really want everyone to see what they folded, grab their cards, tap the muck with them so they're dead, and set them aside to show after the pot's been pushed.

as to the racism, that's not cool. we have a sign posted that any abusive language or behaviour towards staff or other guests will not be tolerated. and it's enforced.

the rest of the stuff is nothing really... lol @ the "showdown!" guys who want the next hand to start i assume.

[Martini]

...
keeping their folded cards? noway. if they really really want everyone to see what they folded, grab their cards, tap the muck with them so they're dead, and set them aside to show after the pot's been pushed.
...

If they *really* want to show their cards they should play through to the River and turn them over at showdown. Players wanting to keep their hand can indicate they they are holding certain cards so the practice shouldn't be supported since even mentioning that they want to show everyone after can tip others off to their specific down cards.

[Wedge Rock]

...
keeping their folded cards? noway. if they really really want everyone to see what they folded, grab their cards, tap the muck with them so they're dead, and set them aside to show after the pot's been pushed.
...

If they *really* want to show their cards they should play through to the River and turn them over at showdown. Players wanting to keep their hand can indicate they they are holding certain cards so the practice shouldn't be supported since even mentioning that they want to show everyone after can tip others off to their specific down cards.

Agreed, but forcing them to muck doesn't solve the problem...  When three diamonds hit the board, or 4,5,8 hit the board, etc, they'll grumble and groan -- without actually saying what they folded, but everyone knows.  Its a mindset and it should be discouraged.

Force the fold, muck the cards, and warn them when they react to the flop, etc.

[R-Ho]

I expected to see requests for rabbit hunting on your list.

[William]

- Players moving a large stack over the line to bet a small amount.

Make it a house rule. Either allow a cut and drop, or make it so that any chips that pass the betting line are the bet (corrected to whatever minimum or maximum may apply).

- Players folding out of turn to get up and leave the table for the bathroom

It's gonna be hard to stop this from happening, unless you start giving out penalties. First player who does it gets told that folding out of turn is not allowed. Second player to do the same thing gets a one hand penalty when he returns to the table.

- Payers nodding at the dealer to signal they second the check made to them instead of wrapping the table.

First, don't ever allow a player to wrap the table. Makes it impossible to get to the chips and/or cards.
Having said that, I see players doing a whirly bird check. As long as the intention is clear for everyone, then don't make a big fuss. If it's not clear, ask.

- Players counting the pot for other players.

Players are trying to be helpful and move things along. It can get confusing when they all start counting and start calling out different numbers. Ask them not to count for other players. In No Limit the pot should never be counted, not even by the dealer. He can spread out the pot so the player can make an estimate of his own.

- Players stating what others play behind.

Again, ask them not to. A player may volunteer the info, or the dealer will count it out if requested. Prevents confusion and misinformation.

- Players saying "Showdown!" when betting is over.

This is players getting excited, or getting bored. If it's the first, let them, keeps the game fun. If they're bored, remind them of the option of calling the clock. It's their blindlevel as well.

- Players wanting to keep their folded cards because they want to show them to the table once the hand is over (and getting really mad when you tell them you want the cards to hit the muck)

I'm 100% with Martini and 72 on this one. This should simply not be allowed. If you fold, the cards will be mucked. Don't set cards aside, and definitely don't let them keep them.

- Players mumbling something I don't undestand and getting aggrivated when i tell them to, please, speak louder

Can't imagine anyone getting aggravated, except if the dealer makes a fuss of it himself. Just say "I'm sorry." and they will repeat it more loudly. If you still can't hear, explain that it's a bit noisy and you're having trouble hearing them.

- Players complaining about other players and using strong language (along with some occasional racism here and there): Turkish player blaming Jews for whatever, British player saying "f$%king this, f$%king that"

I'll allow "f$%king" if it's not malicious and said in good jest. I won't make a big deal of it if it's used on rare occasion to vent frustration. If someone is constantly bitching however it gets tiresome really quickly and I'll put a halt to it. Racism is unacceptable. Players need to feel comfortable at the table. Racism can be extremely threatening.

- Especially (but not exclusively) Turkish players constantly complaining (in a rude manner) about how the dealer gives them cold cards.

If verbal abuse is directed at a person in particular it must be stopped immediately. Make sure he gets the warning, or start giving out penalties. Repeat offenders receive escalating penalties. If no end comes to the offensive behavior, take them aside and explain to them that they're on the verge of being disqualified and not allowed back. That should shut them up real quick.

Now, while I know that these things may or may not matter, I personally am interested in running a smooth game. The floorpeople and staff keep it all very informal and are all  buddy-buddy with the players. So, while I want to keep an eye on etiquette and run a fair game, I don't want to be an uber-nit ruining the evening for the players by constantly reminding them how they keep violating etiquette (which I think most of the issues I mentioned are about).

The general idea is that every player has a good time. If someone is ruining the game for other players you will need to step in. The trick is to find a balance between being a rule junkie and letting the players run riot. There must be rules, but not every rule needs to be enforced all the time.

[Poker Jack]

I expected to see requests for rabbit hunting on your list.

I indeed forgot to put it on the list. Though, it's not as frequent and not really a big problem, surprisingly.

[Poker Jack]

First, don't ever allow a player to wrap the table

I believe 'tapping' was the word I was looking for.

[Martini]

First, don't ever allow a player to wrap the table

I believe 'tapping' was the word I was looking for.

Or "rapping" even.