POCKET ACES

Saturday, November 25, 2000
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Pocket Aces

Poker Etiquette

By Maryann Guberman

If you play home poker, you've probably been around your opponents long enough to let them know when they're getting out of line.

If you play casino poker, by and large you won't have a problem with inappropriate behavior but if and when it does occur, you probably don't want to charge ahead and treat it with the same approach you'd use in a friendly home game.

In the lower-limit casino games, the kind of bad conduct you're likely to encounter can range from verbal abuse ("How could you play those cards? What are you, poker stupid?) to something that approaches pseudo-physical mistreatment (tossing cards, pounding the table). Very rarely will the latter be aimed directly at you but the message is usually clear. You've beaten somebody out of a pot and they don't like it.

Sometimes it's tough to take a bad beat; it's even harder to take one after another for an extended period of time. In those circumstances, something akin to road rage begins take shape and a player can momentarily lose his or her cool. If this happens, you probably shouldn't respond to the person who initiated the angry behavior. You should treat first-time, minor offenses with what my Uncle Joe used to call "the ignores." Let it roll off your back but don't let the offender think you can be bullied.

If the offense escalates (or starts at an intolerable level), ask the dealer to call a floorman immediately. Don't hesitate. Like any conflict, you want to cut it short so it doesn't have a chance to multiply. Once the floorman arrives, use a calm manner to issue your complaint and ask politely if something can be done.

Most poker managers and their assistants have guidelines for handling a player who gets out of line, so calling for an action from them should solve the problem immediately. The floorman can take a number of steps, generally starting with a polite talk with the offending party to calm him or her down. If the offense is blatant enough, he can ask the person to leave the room for the night, or even for "eternity."

Rarely (but on occasion) will you be faced with a situation where the floorman or manager doesn't act on your request. Here your options are limited to one. You ask for the name of the floorman's immediate supervisor and the name of the casino manager. Let him know that you found his participation to be totally ineffective and that before continuing to play in the room (and before recommending the room to your friends), you will notify management about this incident. Whatever you do, do it with composure, even if it means you have to bite back your anger. Poker room rage on your part will only weaken your position.

If by unhappy circumstances you happen to reach this point, you should leave the poker room as it's not likely you'll be in any mood to continue to play. But be sure to follow up.

In days gone by (thank goodness) some high-limit players were known to threaten other players and become abusive, turning over the tables, winging cards at the dealer, and the like, but this kind of action isn't allowed in today's poker rooms. Still, in higher-limit games, you might be exposed to subtle forms of bad-beat rage. A player might mumble under his breath about you or in your direction. Another might comment to a neighboring player about your play. Whatever happens, don't confront it. Take a break and take it up with the floorman or ignore it. Remember, high stakes means just that ­ high stakes. Players on a losing streak can't be expected to be happy about another loss.

Fortunately, the legendary rudeness at the poker tables‹some of which reached urban-legend proportions--has all but disappeared. Casino personnel know the game is war-like in concept only, and steps have been taken to insure the mental and physical safety of all players.

The rules are posted for all to see and obey so except for some isolated incidents, the game should be peaceful for everyone.