Talking at the Table

I recently received a letter from Ray Parasic of Arrowsic Island, Maine, asking about table talk:

Dear Linda:
In a recent viewing of a World Poker Tour event, I was dismayed at all of the "table talk" that occurred during play at the final table. Specifically, one player not in the hand continued violating the "one-player-to-a-hand" rule, and was egging on a player and, frankly, adding pressure to what was an already tough decision. There was no warning from the dealers or the tournament director. I fully understand that this behavior probably would not affect a professional's decision-making, but it could seriously affect an amateur's play under duress.

It is my understanding that this is a clear violation of tournament rules, and I believe the same holds true in cash games, as well. I am also under the impression that players are not supposed to comment on the contents of their hand, until there are just two players left in the competition (heads up at the final table).

Could you please comment on these situations? It's a sore subject with me, since I was a victim of similar circumstances in which I got busted by egged-on calls in two major tournament events. Maybe the prerequisites of making it to a final table should be a large chip stack, sunglasses, and DUCT TAPE.

Ray asked a very legitimate question, and I have often had inquiries from others who wonder why players are allowed to talk during televised final tables. Here is the answer I sent back to Ray.

Dear Ray,
It is indeed a violation of the Tournament Directors Association's rules. Rule No. 34 states that players, whether in a hand or not, may not discuss the hand until the action is complete. Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing cards discarded or hand possibilities is not allowed. Rule No. 37 states that verbally disclosing the contents of your hand or advising a player how to play a hand may result in a penalty.

There are two things that come into play here. The first is the needs of the finished televised product. Of course, it makes for a more interesting show and better ratings to have player interaction. I'm sure that you enjoy the shows in which players talk to each other a lot more than the shows in which the players are totally silent. Therefore, players are given slightly more leeway than they might get in a normal event, although a penalty would definitely be given for blatant abuse of the rules. The second element in play here is that as the studio announcer, I stand about eight to 10 feet behind the table and am unable to hear much of the conversation that goes on between the players, since they are usually facing away from me. While the show is being taped, I am listening to many different people in my earpiece, and therefore am unable to hear much of what is said between the players during the actual play of the game.

Prior to the start of the taping, I have a meeting with the six finalists to go over some of the rules, including the ones about not discussing the contents of hands while they are in play. I have given a few warnings about this when I have heard players start to talk inappropriately during the play of a hand, but I have never been aware of blatant violations of the rule during the actual final-table filming. There have been times when I have watched the final version of a show at home and heard a player make an inappropriate comment about the contents of his hand, and wished I had been aware of the conversation at the time it was happening, since a penalty should have been given.

Thanks for writing, and I hope this answers your question.

Please be aware that the rules mentioned above exist for most tournaments so that players won't expose cards or talk about a hand during tournament play. I do regret that at times, players at televised final tables have gotten away with a bit too much talk, usually because I am not aware of what is being said at the time. There is a lot of background noise and the players wear microphones that can't be heard by those of us in the studio during the taping.

Now, let's play poker.

Linda is available to host poker events, seminars, charity events, and corporate poker nights. She can be reached through her websites at www.cardplayercruises.com or www.lindapoker.com.