Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
PCF is an Amazon Associate and an eBay Partner. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Well sir it seems as though you have an obligation to ensure that the rules are enforced evenly for everyone.
It's also worth mentioning that this individual is disrespecting not only the game but you personally with his conduct. IMO, I'd send him an email or a text diplomatically yet firmly telling him to stop doing that. I don't think you need to outline any reprimands - most decent people will realize they've inadvertently been disrespectful and adjust their behavior.
Now if it continues beyond that measure, I think you're in your purview as host to call it out deliberately in real time. Whether you handle it with snark or aggression or sarcasm is pretty much up to you - but I'd probably suggest saying whatever you have to in order to effectively get your point across.
Yes - defiantly! i do have that obligation. More importantly I must hold myself to the same rules.
my rules don't have consequences per se.
They are about:
education, (this is the most important point to the rules. eg in this case its (potentially) a way to cheat by shorting the pot).
game play,
integrity of the game and
etiquette.
There is 1 exception. I have one rule that does have a consequence.. Don't be a dick. Its subjective, but your in my house and its not a democracy.
2 have failed this test and they are not welcome anymore.
Does the guy know what 'splashing the pot' actually means?
I had a similar situation.
A couple years ago a player would constantly comment on the action - especially when not in a hand. Things like 'possible flush draw out there'... or 'I bet someone made a straight'...
Obviously, this - like splashing the pot - is a huge etiquette breach.
I addressed it by 1) acknowledging other players who'd pointed it out and promising to deal with him; and 2) sending him an email with examples.
Hey Kurt,
Thanks again for continuing to volunteer to deal. It makes the game run so much better when people step up to deal for the night.
Something's come up that I need to bounce off you. I gotta ask you to make a procedural change going forward whether you're dealing or just playing.
Commenting on hands while they're in progress is a huge breach of etiquette when you're not involved in the hand, but it's especially bad decorum when you're the dealer. Please know this isn't just coming from me - several players brought this to my attention last season but I hadn't realized this needed to be addressed until after Tuesday night.
I'm not trying to beat you up - and I want you to know you're a respected member of the group and your contribution is greatly appreciated. But I wouldn't be doing my job as the organizer if I allow this to continue. So here's a few examples so you know what I'm referring to.
Making comments about the board, or how a turn/river card might have improved or players' hand is very inappropriate. Saying things like 'lots of possibilities', or 'possible straight out there' could potentially give information to a less-than-savvy player. It's also not the role of the dealer to nudge a player who's taking their time with a decision. Tuesday night Bob M was in the middle of a decision and he was interrupted. That just can't happen.
If you observe dealers in public card rooms, while a hand is in progress they're always rather stoic and robotic in their mechanics - they're pretty much just there to pitch the cards and enforce the rules. That's kind of what we're going for since the Moxie League is designed to mimic a professional setting as much as reasonably possible.
Thanks for understanding. See you in 2 weeks.
Great feedback and taken with the intent you delivered it. Sorry to you and others.
I will adjust for sure and looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.
I wish I could bookmark posts. I do not currently need to deliver a 'teaching moment', but that email was beautifully written. I hope I never need it, but if I do, I'm stealing that.
I just hope my future offender is named Kurt. If not, it may be a new nickname.
Being a host is about enforcing (maybe a too strong word for some) the integrity of the game. I do this by having a printed out set of rules. This is so important because now your not having to argue what you think the rule is. Its just that's the rule and you can add to the offender - here are the rules if you need to read them through. It just stops so many arguments in their tracks. Additionally stops the behavior instantly.
I don't understand why everyone doesn't do this. it makes hosting so much easier.
If every host had a set of rules just about every "how would you rule this" posts would disappear.
Plus, if you find that people can't accept that being mean as a host over rules is not personal, you get to identify those who aren't able to empathize with the host or other players or how to be a pleasant guest generally, and avoid the trouble that tends to arise from sorts down the line.
@Machine If it wasn't for the great dealer that you have I'd make it my mission to see how many times I could splash your put before being sent to Loki's couch
Maybe is a cultural widwest polite thing …but in the Philly area one may expect to be told by any of the players “Dude, don’t splash the f’ing pot”. Maybe also “what are you an amateur?” followed by laughs. That would probably be the end of it
This particular player definitely knows what "splashing the pot" means. He has likely played more poker than anyone in our group and has even played in the Main Event (and cashed) in the WSOP.
He is definitely a jerk...nobody in my group would argue that. He is a jerk who is generally a good and well intended person most of the time which complicates the situation. Anyways, I am putting my foot down here in about 45 minutes so we will see what happens. I am 99.9% certain he will follow my direction and conform. I am implementing the rule tonight that any chips thrown into the pot will immediately be forfeited into the pot and the player will have one more chance to bet appropriately or fold. Period end of story.
He is definitely a jerk...nobody in my group would argue that. He is a jerk who is generally a good and well intended person most of the time which complicates the situation. Anyways, I am putting my foot down here in about 45 minutes so we will see what happens. I am 99.9% certain he will follow my direction and conform. I am implementing the rule tonight that any chips thrown into the pot will immediately be forfeited into the pot and the player will have one more chance to bet appropriately or fold. Period end of story.
Lmao...sorry been a busy day. The guy was an absolute Saint last night. After i laid the new rules and we were drawing for seats he said to me "all i heard was 'no splashing the pots and no talking about hands if not in the hand" still shaking my head. He was like a different person last night. Others commented on it as well. Maybe he got some before he got there...shit I am baffled but happy with how things turned out.
Lmao...sorry been a busy day. The guy was an absolute Saint last night. After i laid the new rules and we were drawing for seats he said to me "all i heard was 'no splashing the pots and no talking about hands if not in the hand" still shaking my head. He was like a different person last night. Others commented on it as well. Maybe he got some before he got there...shit I am baffled but happy with how things turned out.
So true. In 20 years of hosting i had one player look at them once.
but that's not the point.
The statement "its in the rules" stops every possible argument in its tracks. Then if you have to look it up people say "nah dont worry about it, i believe you. or just look it up. Eithter way arguement avoided.
Lmao...sorry been a busy day. The guy was an absolute Saint last night. After i laid the new rules and we were drawing for seats he said to me "all i heard was 'no splashing the pots and no talking about hands if not in the hand" still shaking my head. He was like a different person last night. Others commented on it as well. Maybe he got some before he got there...shit I am baffled but happy with how things turned out.
