Inside Suggestions from One Who Has Been There

My last few columns were spent making suggestions to players on ways that they could improve playing conditions in an already wonderful arena. Even if it ain't broke, sometimes it is good to try to stay a step ahead and make things better.



There has never been a better time to be in the poker business. I thank my lucky stars that I am in it, and am on both sides of the table. I try to view things objectively from both a player's and management's perspective. My experience during the past 28 years includes tournament director, dealer, brush, board, floor, shift manager, and, once in a blue moon, cashier. I am telling you this so that you might agree that I know a little bit about this business and might respect some of the suggestions I have made.



Now, I am going to discuss the cardroom staff and make some comments that I think are long overdue. There are so many poker rooms nowadays that the way we players can get changes made that we think are due is with our feet. The first for me was the smoking issue. When cardrooms began going nonsmoking, I made a conscious choice to no longer patronize cardrooms that allowed smoking. Now, most all are nonsmoking. Here are some easier-to-implement things to make a cardroom all that it can and should be. Cardrooms that exhibit these characteristics and skill levels from their employees get my seal of approval.



My biggest pet peeve among cardroom employees is chewing gum. I can't believe there is a cardroom out there that actually allows its employees to chew gum, yet I see so many staff members chewing, and chewing, and chewing. It's not only dealers, either, as I also see floor staff, tournament directors, and assistants chewing. Not long ago, I had lunch with a cardroom manager. You guessed it – he was chewing gum when we met. I was shocked. On the Card Player Cruises poker vacations, we never allow our staff to chew while they're working (and greatly discourage it when they are not working.) I oftentimes am approached by hopeful future staff members who want to know how to "get on" the cruise. If they are chewing gum when they ask me, they are drawing dead, and I tell them exactly why. They are welcome to talk to me at another time, but if they haven't the professionalism to approach me without gum in their mouths, well, perhaps CPC isn't the gig for them. I think it is disrespectful to chew gum while you are working, performing a service for an employer, and promoting that employer's venue. I just can't stand it! Of course, cardroom management has to work hard and be aware of this situation to try to end it. In the meantime, when I am playing, I ask those who are chewing gum if it is allowed by the establishment. I get either a sheepish "I dunno" or a "No," whereupon I suggest spitting it out. I am a good tipper and believe in tipping for a job well done. An employee who is chewing gum while working is not doing a good job. Perhaps a breath mint should be used instead.



There are many specific skills needed to deal, but many dealers get sloppy and careless. Many haven't been trained properly and/or don't know their complete job description. Another pet peeve of mine is dealers who roll the deck. What is that? It occurs when the hand holding the deck is not parallel to the table. The deck should always be horizontal to the table and should never turn over – never! If you are a dealer and can't reach something, ask a player for assistance. Trust me, I dealt for nearly 20 years and found out early in my career that your arms are just as long when you hold the deck correctly as when you don't. There is never a reason to roll the deck. Keeping the deck level helps to ensure the integrity of the game, as the top card is always visible to the players and surveillance; plus, it is the only correct way to hold it.



While I am on the topic of dealers, who for the most part do a wonderful job, another thing that annoys me is dealers who won't use the buttons properly. They either "try to remember" a new player (yet continually try to deal him in) or don't know the proper usage of the buttons. Training managers should be aware of how little this skill is used properly by the new breed of dealers. Also, many veteran dealers have gotten sloppy and need to be reminded. For the most part, a player gets a missed blind button when he misses his blind. A new player waiting to post or be dealt in should get a "New Player" or "Out" button placed in front of his chips. A player who is away from his seat should get an "Absent" button. These are all "codes," if you will, to help the dealer know the score and assist an incoming dealer as to what is going on. It also helps to ensure that the proper blinds are posted and that players aren't away from their seats too long. Of course, there are other buttons that are used in some cardrooms: "Play Over," "Missed Small Blind," "Overs," and some others. Please learn how your cardroom uses these buttons, and then do so properly without having to be prompted by the players. You will find that the players will appreciate the proper handling of the game and your income is likely to go up to reflect this.



I know I sound like a broken record, but unfortunately I have one more column on this topic. Then, I will move on to other topics, I promise. Thank you to all of the cardroom personnel who work so hard to make poker such a great game.



Most rooms do a great job, and with just a few small changes and improvements, all rooms can be the best ever!



Class dismissed.

As always, please contact me with your poker-related questions and comments at [email protected]. Also, please visit www.cardplayercruises.com for poker travel opportunities.