WWYD - nicest guy never knows it’s his action (2 Viewers)

[elemeno]

This is a casual low stakes home game more about getting together than poker. There’s this one player that’s always on his phone and never knows it’s his turn to act. We can’t ban him no matter what. He’s also on the sensitive side so I don’t want to be too harsh either.

So far, we’ve just been stomaching it and the group takes turns softly telling him/indicating that it’s his turn. The weirdest part is said player loves poker, always wants to schedule a game, and hosts often. Then when it’s time to play, eyes glued to the phone. Huh? Oh it’s on me? What happened?

What would you do?

 

[CDC]

Play online?

 

[merkong]

Someone just has to tell them. No reason everyone should suffer just to save someone from *maybe* having their feelings hurt.

Nice or not, play the game.

 

[RowlettTexasChipGuy]

We have a Matt tax, one of our players is the same way

every time he holds up the game, he owes an additional small blind to the pot

amazing how quickly the learn to keep up with everything after that

 

[links_slayer]

I'd take him off to the side and say something like "Hey, I know you probably don’t mean to, but sometimes it seems like we’re waiting a bit when it’s your turn because you're so focused on your phone. We’re all here to have a good time, so I just wanted to mention it because a few players have noticed. Would you mind keeping an eye on the game a bit more? I think it’ll help keep things moving smoothly for everyone."

 

[JP1984]

@Azphrodite @mattross1313 @2Tight2Fight remind you of anyone?

 

[JP1984]

What would you do?

Take the piss out of them relentlessly

 

[demonnic]

Raise your voice nice and loud, and just be like "Damnit <insert player name here> if you don't pay attention to the game I'm gonna take your phone, wipe my ass with it, and toss it in the toilet"*


* this is a joke. Everyone else saying to just talk to them gently on the side seem to be on the right track. I'm just being an ahole.

 

[doublebooyah85]

 

[upNdown]

This just makes me sad. If the game is more about just getting together AND this guy loves poker, what the hell is he doing on his phone?
I know I waste as much time on my phone as anybody (like right now.). But once the cards are flying, I forget all about it.

 

[elemeno]

I'd take him off to the side and say something like "Hey, I know you probably don’t mean to, but sometimes it seems like we’re waiting a bit when it’s your turn because you're so focused on your phone. We’re all here to have a good time, so I just wanted to mention it because a few players have noticed. Would you mind keeping an eye on the game a bit more? I think it’ll help keep things moving smoothly for everyone."

Tried it, didn’t take

Play online?

A clever solution but this group would never go for it

We have a Matt tax, one of our players is the same way

every time he holds up the game, he owes an additional small blind to the pot

amazing how quickly the learn to keep up with everything after that

I can’t imagine doing this at Matt’s own house? But another good idea I wish I could implement.

This just makes me sad. If the game is more about just getting together AND this guy loves poker, what the hell is he doing on his phone?
I know I waste as much time on my phone as anybody (like right now.). But once the cards are flying, I forget all about it.

I have no f’ing idea, which is why it’s so bemusing.

 

[demonnic]

I can’t imagine doing this at Matt’s own house? But another good idea I wish I could implement.

If it's the same group largely regardless of where it's hosted then it could be presented as a group decision. Also, don't necessarily present it as targeted at them, making it a general thing everyone has to abide by. The people already not holding up the game won't be affected and the behaviour will hopefully self-correct fast enough everyone can forget the rule exists unless it becomes a problem again.

Maybe give one warning per game before the tax kicks in.

 

[Hot Nuts]

Train him Pavlov style. Ring a bell every time it's his turn. Eventually he'll associate the bell with action is on him. Plus he'll probably get tired of the damn bell and put his phone away.

 

[upNdown]

A simple solution would be no phones while you’re in a hand. It’s pretty much a rule in most places anyway, isn’t it?

 

[elemeno]

If it's the same group largely regardless of where it's hosted then it could be presented as a group decision. Also, don't necessarily present it as targeted at them, making it a general thing everyone has to abide by. The people already not holding up the game won't be affected and the behaviour will hopefully self-correct fast enough everyone can forget the rule exists unless it becomes a problem again.

Maybe give one warning per game before the tax kicks in.

Might be the way to do it!!

Train him Pavlov style. Ring a bell every time it's his turn. Eventually he'll associate the bell with action is on him. Plus he'll probably get tired of the damn bell and put his phone away.

I suppose I really want to do this, but I just know the sensitive side of him will take offense. It’s just a step further than ‘hey, it’s on you’ or tapping the table in front of him

A simple solution would be no phones while you’re in a hand. It’s pretty much a rule in most places anyway, isn’t it?

This is another thing we can try, but there are others that use their phone but are good about staying attentive

 

[Budha]

Just give him shit and bust his balls

“Chop chop - let’s go, before zee Germans get here. On you, again”

Make it fun, with a message, but give him shit. Playground rules apply.

His sensitive side will get over it

 

[varoadstter]

Our neighborhood game has a few of these. I'm the dealer 95% of the time and I've just gotten used to herding the cats. I just take my free hand (usually my right) and lay it on the table pointing to him. If they don't respond within 5-10 seconds I knock the table. There is more than a little "gentle encouragement" to pay attention.

Sensitive or no, if he loves the game he should understand how off-putting it is when a player to act is not paying any attention. I bet he gets frustrated when someone else does something similar.

tldr; I start gently, then ramp up the aggression in letting a player know they are holding up the action.

 

[BarrieJ3]

never understood that, i can sit on my phone at home.

You don’t sit on it during a movie, during a dinner out, during riding a rollercoaster. Why sit on it during a poker game?

Easiest solution - no idling on phone. People can check phones, send a message. No swiping through social media, answering work emails, etc. If you do that, you are away from the table. Easy way to implement, 1 warning and after that hands are dead.

Seems like a lot? Think of it this way. Did
6-12 other adults with jobs and hobbies and children and spouses and bills all take time off to sit here and watch you on your phone?

Put it that way, and I’m sure most folks will at least make an initial effort to be better.

 

[BarrieJ3]

But you already knew this. We’re all giving standard answers. Fun answer?

Before you host next time, install the changeable lightbulbs. Then, everytime action is on him and he doesn’t know it, just slowly turn the bulbs in the room a deeper and deeper hue of red until you’re all sitting in what looks like a horror movie room.

See how long til he catches on.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

A well timed air horn works well

 

[BGinGA]

A well timed air horn works well

Lol, I was thinking a pre-recorded bull horn message "action on ~his name~ again" (complete with annoying squeal/screech) would do the trick after a couple of uses.

 

[Bluegrass Poker]

Cattle prod would work too.

 

[ValueTown]

No phones in the hand or at the table. You came to the game for the play and friends, be present.

 

[allforcharity]

How about a "get off your phone" button? Or maybe on a bowling ball if you want to be less subtle.

 

[ontheriver51]

Tell him in a not so nice way that it’s a problem (being a semi sensitive guy the sternness may really get to him) and/or implement the very standard “no phone if you’re in a hand” rule

 

[doublebooyah85]

Text him while he’s on his phone and it’s his turn

 

[Duncan25]

No phones at the table maybe.

 

[FDLmold]

You're not telling this guy to pay attention to rip into his ass, you're telling this guy to pay attention for the enjoyment of the rest of the people at the table. I'd tell it to him just like that.

 

[JP1984]

Text him while he’s on his phone and it’s his turn

Genius! I love this.

Shut down the thread, problem solved.

 

[wootaki]

You're not telling this guy to pay attention to rip into his ass, you're telling this guy to pay attention for the enjoyment of the rest of the people at the table. I'd tell it to him just like that.

This. All the other suggestions are just passive aggressive roundabout ways of not actually addressing the issue. I'm actually on the sensitive side, but this is another one of those topics that I'm kinda baffled by in terms of poker crews. I am not a poker regular and just getting into it so chalk it up to not being familiar with typical poker environments, but my idea of a home game is shooting the shit with friends close enough to me that I don't have second thoughts about inviting them into my home. Maybe not a big deal for alot of people to have acquaintances in your home for parties or whatever but me personally, until we've created a solid relationship outside you are not finding out where I live or what I have in my home. With that said, theres not a single dude I'd have a problem with telling them straight up to pay attention to the game, especially if theyre the one always trying to get everyone together. It wouldnt even have emotion attached to it, literally just a friendly jab. Its like no ones ever played sports before. That fact that you feel the need to tread lightly on this matter regardless of how sensitive he may seem gets me to wonder what the general "home game" poker population cares about more, fellowship or gambling? (I dont currently have a very positive view of "poker players") Cause I don't see anything offensive about what youre expecting out of your friend.