We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

Commerce 40-80. All hell breaks loose. Pre-flop it's capped with 6-way action. Guy on the button obviously has pocket aces. Just before the flop his 16-year old daughter calls him with an important problem.

Flop comes 6-5-3. It's bet, called, and raised in front of him. He pauses a moment, and says into the phone:

"Daddy call you back."

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
Commerce 40-80. All hell breaks loose. Pre-flop it's capped with 6-way action. Guy on the button obviously has pocket aces. Just before the flop his 16-year old daughter calls him with an important problem.

Flop comes 6-5-3. It's bet, called, and raised in front of him. He pauses a moment, and says into the phone:

"Daddy call you back."

[/ QUOTE ]

Glad that didn't happen at my room. "Sir, your hand is dead for looking at the phone while you have cards."

I can see the impending explosion now...

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]


Flop comes 6-5-3. It's bet, called, and raised in front of him. He pauses a moment, and says into the phone:

"Daddy call ...

[/ QUOTE ]

Verbal action is binding. He can't 3-bet or fold.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

Would have been great if he said "Guess what sweetie, I'm bringing you home a car after this."

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Commerce 40-80. All hell breaks loose. Pre-flop it's capped with 6-way action. Guy on the button obviously has pocket aces. Just before the flop his 16-year old daughter calls him with an important problem.

Flop comes 6-5-3. It's bet, called, and raised in front of him. He pauses a moment, and says into the phone:

"Daddy call you back."

[/ QUOTE ]

Glad that didn't happen at my room. "Sir, your hand is dead for looking at the phone while you have cards."

I can see the impending explosion now...

[/ QUOTE ]

What room is this so I can make sure to never visit? I know that some places have this rule, but it still amazes me that poker rooms want to cut off their guests from the outside world.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just before the flop his 16-year old thai boyfriend calls him with an important problem.

"Daddy call you back."

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

Foxwoods used to be the worst I've ever seen about this. They've calmed down a little the couple of times I've been in the new room -- now you can take a phone call well away from the tables without them spazzing out.

I was told that many Vegas poker rooms are located next to the sports book, hence phones are forbidden there.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
Foxwoods used to be the worst I've ever seen about this. They've calmed down a little the couple of times I've been in the new room -- now you can take a phone call well away from the tables without them spazzing out.

I was told that many Vegas poker rooms are located next to the sports book, hence phones are forbidden there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes the phones are forbidden next to the sports book. I have no problem with rooms that require you to step away/leave the room whiel on the phone; I do have a huge problem wiht places that want to kill hands because someone answers a call they get. There is nothing wrong with someone answering the phone and say, just a minute and putting down the phone. To suggest that someone that receives important calls chose between continuing a hand they have money invested in and answering a call is crazy. I remember in days before cell phones (or at least before they were everywhere) at sporting events and such Drs could check in with a customer service desk (I think it had another name, but the name escapes me) and tell them where they werre sitting so they could come fid them if they recieved a phone call; if MLB can accomodate a Dr on-call shouldn't a poker room (I think a DR on-call might be just the sort of guest you want in the room). Note: there are some places that ban electronic devices at the tables per gaming regulation, I am not talking about taking on gaming commissions, I am only referring to places that just decide to have this rule (most likely becasue someoen that is in charge there used to work some place where it was mandated by law and they don'pt understand the difference).

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

And the reason I've heard given for Foxwoods' silly anal policy regarding cellphones was they don't want anyone taking pictures with their cellphone cameras. Maybe it was just a particularly moronic floorguy.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

It wasn't.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Foxwoods used to be the worst I've ever seen about this. They've calmed down a little the couple of times I've been in the new room -- now you can take a phone call well away from the tables without them spazzing out.

I was told that many Vegas poker rooms are located next to the sports book, hence phones are forbidden there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes the phones are forbidden next to the sports book. I have no problem with rooms that require you to step away/leave the room whiel on the phone; I do have a huge problem wiht places that want to kill hands because someone answers a call they get. There is nothing wrong with someone answering the phone and say, just a minute and putting down the phone. To suggest that someone that receives important calls chose between continuing a hand they have money invested in and answering a call is crazy. I remember in days before cell phones (or at least before they were everywhere) at sporting events and such Drs could check in with a customer service desk (I think it had another name, but the name escapes me) and tell them where they werre sitting so they could come fid them if they recieved a phone call; if MLB can accomodate a Dr on-call shouldn't a poker room (I think a DR on-call might be just the sort of guest you want in the room). Note: there are some places that ban electronic devices at the tables per gaming regulation, I am not talking about taking on gaming commissions, I am only referring to places that just decide to have this rule (most likely becasue someoen that is in charge there used to work some place where it was mandated by law and they don'pt understand the difference).

[/ QUOTE ]

What's so hard about about returning the call when you aren't in a hand? Like you said, there was a time when everyone didn't have cellphones and everyone wasn't obessed with being instantly reachable 24 hours a day. Is it really some unfathomable inconvenience to simply glance at the caller ID when your phone rings and make a mental note to return the call a few minutes later when you're not in a hand?

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
There is nothing wrong with someone answering the phone and say, just a minute and putting down the phone. To suggest that someone that receives important calls chose between continuing a hand they have money invested in and answering a call is crazy.

I remember in days before cell phones (or at least before they were everywhere) at sporting events and such Drs could check in with a customer service desk (I think it had another name, but the name escapes me) and tell them where they werre sitting so they could come fid them if they recieved a phone call; if MLB can accomodate a Dr on-call shouldn't a poker room

[/ QUOTE ]

Big difference, don't you think, Randy? Besides, it seems to me more and more that "important" and "any" phone call are interchangeable descriptions for most people.

But I've never understood why everyone's so Pavlovian about immediately answering a phone at ALL times- isn't that what voicemail and buzzers are intended for?

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

i personally love casinos that don't allow any cell phone use at the table. it slows down the game. if casinos a particular casino let you do it every once in a while, then peopl would abuse the privelage. like someone else said, step away from the table after the hand if it's that important, and call them back.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

I do enjoy texting in-between hands, I must admit.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is it really some unfathomable inconvenience to simply glance at the caller ID when your phone rings

[/ QUOTE ]

At the room I frequent... this ALSO kills your hand. =(

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
What's so hard about about returning the call when you aren't in a hand? Like you said, there was a time when everyone didn't have cellphones and everyone wasn't obessed with being instantly reachable 24 hours a day. Is it really some unfathomable inconvenience to simply glance at the caller ID when your phone rings and make a mental note to return the call a few minutes later when you're not in a hand?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have known people in poker rooms to receive phone calls about babies being born, relatives being in accidents (I was in a hand of poker when I learned my stepfather had been killed in a car accident), their place of business being robbed, and their house being on fire. Having a rule against cell phone use is a poor substitute for hiring a competent staff that knows how to handle someone that is disruptive to the game.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
i personally love casinos that don't allow any cell phone use at the table. it slows down the game. if casinos a particular casino let you do it every once in a while, then peopl would abuse the privelage. like someone else said, step away from the table after the hand if it's that important, and call them back.

[/ QUOTE ]

People will only abuse the priveledge if the floorstaff is incompetant and allows them to abuse it. This is an area that floors are lacking, they tyr to be "fair" by making blanket rules to covr that they dont' know how to handle things. A couple of examples come to mind; during a touranment a player asked me if h e coudl check his voicemail; I ruled that he could listen to his voicemail when out of the hand (he was an older gentleman who physically walking form the table woudl be difficult). Another time I was called to the table becasue the game woudl stall whenever the action got to a player with headphones becasue he never knew it was his turn. I told him he had to take off the headphones if he wanted to continue to play. He threw a little fit because someoen else at the table had headphones; I explained to him the other player was able to listen to music and follow the action, he was not able to follow the action so he could not wear headphones at the table.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
I have known people in poker rooms to receive phone calls about babies being born, relatives being in accidents (I was in a hand of poker when I learned my stepfather had been killed in a car accident), their place of business being robbed, and their house being on fire. Having a rule against cell phone use is a poor substitute for hiring a competent staff that knows how to handle someone that is disruptive to the game.


[/ QUOTE ]

Randy,

I respect your experience and opinions but have a few questions.

1. If not for having a cellphone would the above mentioned baby not have been born?
2. Were babies not born before cellphones were invented?
3. If not for having a cellphone might the relative not been in an accident?
4. Did having a cellphone at the poker table enable the person in the accident to survive via some microwave magic?
5. If not for having a cellphone would the business robbery been prevented?
6. Did having a cellphone somehow help catch the burglar?
7. Did having the cellphone allow the poker player to douse the flames consuming his burning home?

I see nothing that couldn't have waited 30 seconds in your post above. If you are being notified of an event that has already occurred can you go back in time and change it because you discovered it 30 seconds sooner?

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]

People will only abuse the priveledge if the floorstaff is incompetant and allows them to abuse it.

[/ QUOTE ]


At the Bellagio last year one guy at my table was on his phone for an orbit or two and was continually holding up the game.
He as speaking very loudly and obnoxiously.
"F'king Bellagio!! Don't be a pussy. Get your ass down here." (pause). "I already told you, F'cking Bellagio. Why aren't you here yet."
This thrilling conversation went on and on while he continually held up the game and made everyone at the table kind of uncomfortable.

dealer and floor did nothing.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
I have known people in poker rooms to receive phone calls about babies being born, relatives being in accidents (I was in a hand of poker when I learned my stepfather had been killed in a car accident), their place of business being robbed, and their house being on fire. Having a rule against cell phone use is a poor substitute for hiring a competent staff that knows how to handle someone that is disruptive to the game.

[/ QUOTE ]
As long as they get up from the table before answering the phone, I have no problem with it.

Recently I was at the MGM and my phone rang. I got up from my seat and moved a few feet from the table to take the call. No problem at all.

Of course, the dealer then dealt me in on my BB, so I put the call on hold, sat down and played the hand. It was another 2+2er on the phone, so he understood. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]

Recently I was at the MGM and my phone rang. I got up from my seat and moved a few feet from the table to take the call. No problem at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

No problem at all. The way it should be handled.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

Okay, has anyone ever heard a story about someone getting a call or text message on a cell phone from his accomplice who saw his opponents hole cards during a hand while walking by?

This kind of paranoia makes me sad.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
I see nothing that couldn't have waited 30 seconds in your post above. If you are being notified of an event that has already occurred can you go back in time and change it because you discovered it 30 seconds sooner?


[/ QUOTE ]

I am sure many of these calls were made from a place that could not immediately receive a return call. A perfect example would be a call form a hospital, you most likely will have the hospital's number captured on your phone; this does not mean that the person who called you is immediately available (your call will go into a switchboard most likely).

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

People will only abuse the priveledge if the floorstaff is incompetant and allows them to abuse it.

[/ QUOTE ]


At the Bellagio last year one guy at my table was on his phone for an orbit or two and was continually holding up the game.
He as speaking very loudly and obnoxiously.
"F'king Bellagio!! Don't be a pussy. Get your ass down here." (pause). "I already told you, F'cking Bellagio. Why aren't you here yet."
This thrilling conversation went on and on while he continually held up the game and made everyone at the table kind of uncomfortable.

dealer and floor did nothing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Did anyone ask for the floor? Ideally the floor should be paying attention, but sometimes they aren't. I would be very suprised if the floor would not ask this player to step away from the tabel if he became aware of this.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

Andy:

Were you upset with your daughter because your call was binding?

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
Okay, has anyone ever heard a story about someone getting a call or text message on a cell phone from his accomplice who saw his opponents hole cards during a hand while walking by?

This kind of paranoia makes me sad.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have only heard this argument presented by people that aware aware of a no cell phone rule and assume this must be the reason why. The reason for prohibiting cell phones is the person on them slows down/disrupts the game. With this reasoning there is nothing wrong with answering the phone and asking the caller to hold on until you can step away from the table.

Edit to add: There are a lot of other things that are policies that should not and do not affect who gets the pot. There is a policy that you may not swear at the dealer; they don't take your pot and give it to someone else if you do. There often (and should be) is a policy that you must step away from the table to take a phone call, but if you break this policy they should not take a pot you are about to win and give it to someone else.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I see nothing that couldn't have waited 30 seconds in your post above. If you are being notified of an event that has already occurred can you go back in time and change it because you discovered it 30 seconds sooner?


[/ QUOTE ]

I am sure many of these calls were made from a place that could not immediately receive a return call. A perfect example would be a call form a hospital, you most likely will have the hospital's number captured on your phone; this does not mean that the person who called you is immediately available (your call will go into a switchboard most likely).

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for your reply. I think you missed my point, why does knowing that any of these events occurred instantly make any difference? I always either ignore the call or step away from the table so I guess I feel others should do so as well. My reasoning is that if an emergency call might occur I shouldn't be at a casino in the first place.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

It's just frustrating to see the guy who obviously doesn't know the house rule look at his phone briefly. Dealer then mucks the cards. No warning is to be given. "Sorry sir, it's the house rule." Of course it's posted on a tiny sign at the podium that noone ever sees. Player is understandably pissed and the dealer is left having to explain the shaky reasoning behind this rule. Player wants the floor, floor is called and repeats what the dealer says.

Whenever I hear a phone ring at the table now I instinctively say, "Don't look at it." Sometimes that helps. Usually it doesn't. Of course, players that know the rule are never victimized by it because they know what not to do. All it does it punish players who aren't aware of an obscure house rule.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I see nothing that couldn't have waited 30 seconds in your post above. If you are being notified of an event that has already occurred can you go back in time and change it because you discovered it 30 seconds sooner?


[/ QUOTE ]

I am sure many of these calls were made from a place that could not immediately receive a return call. A perfect example would be a call form a hospital, you most likely will have the hospital's number captured on your phone; this does not mean that the person who called you is immediately available (your call will go into a switchboard most likely).

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for your reply. I think you missed my point, why does knowing that any of these events occurred instantly make any difference? I always either ignore the call or step away from the table so I guess I feel others should do so as well. My reasoning is that if an emergency call might occur I shouldn't be at a casino in the first place.

[/ QUOTE ]

I edited to clarify above. People are often rude with their cell phones, but player's hands aren't killed for being rude. The rule I have a specific issue with is ruling someone's hand dead because they answer their phone.

There are a lot of people that deal with stress in their life by going to the casino. I have heard people (actually I think jsut one) say "my wife is in labor, so and so is supposed to call me when it is time so I can get over there." If I receive a phone call I look to see who it is and usually don't answer, but a room that has a rule that you lose money for answering your phone is way out of line.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
but a room that has a rule that you lose money for answering your phone is way out of line.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good. At least it's not just me that thinks this policy is ridiculous.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's just frustrating to see the guy who obviously doesn't know the house rule look at his phone briefly. Dealer then mucks the cards. No warning is to be given. "Sorry sir, it's the house rule." Of course it's posted on a tiny sign at the podium that noone ever sees. Player is understandably pissed and the dealer is left having to explain the shaky reasoning behind this rule. Player wants the floor, floor is called and repeats what the dealer says.

Whenever I hear a phone ring at the table now I instinctively say, "Don't look at it." Sometimes that helps. Usually it doesn't. Of course, players that know the rule are never victimized by it because they know what not to do. All it does it punish players who aren't aware of an obscure house rule.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would be very interested in what would happen if someone wanted to make a real issue of this. Even in places wehre their is a law that electronic devices are forbidden it does not then follow that you lose your interest in the pot. If this is an Indian casino they can do what they want, if it is some place where casinos are regulated they can't just take someone's money (interest in a pot).

Once at my first job as a supervisor someone came into the room and told me rule #14 was wrong. I looked on the wall and it said "#14 The supervisor's decision is final." I wondered what this guy's smart remark was going to be. Then he handed me his card; he was from gaming, he said "my decision is final."

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

this was pretty much the rule at the WSOP and all the satellites, etc.

Played a WSOP-circuit at the Grand in Tunica. Some $200 2nd-chance tourney.
Some guy raises pre-flop. Gets a couple callers.
Cell-phone rings.
IIRC I think he answered and told the person to hang on. Dealer mucks his cards and says it's the tournament rule.


They were pretty much doing the saame thing at the WSOp at the Rio last year (even in a single-table satellite).

You were allowed to step away from the table though but you ha to be off your phone before the cards got to your spot or you were mucked.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]


I would be very interested in what would happen if someone wanted to make a real issue of this. Even in places wehre their is a law that electronic devices are forbidden it does not then follow that you lose your interest in the pot. If this is an Indian casino they can do what they want, if it is some place where casinos are regulated they can't just take someone's money (interest in a pot).

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure with my state's gaming regulations on the issue, but I know for a fact that no other casino I've played in here (4 or so) has a rule about phones as strict as "Look at your phone, your hand is dead." Everywhere else it's "Sir, you can't be on the phone during a hand. If you wish to take a call, you have to be away from the table."


[ QUOTE ]

Once at my first job as a supervisor someone came into the room and told me rule #14 was wrong. I looked on the wall and it said "#14 The supervisor's decision is final." I wondered what this guy's smart remark was going to be. Then he handed me his card; he was from gaming, he said "my decision is final."

[/ QUOTE ]

I like this.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

People will only abuse the priveledge if the floorstaff is incompetant and allows them to abuse it.

[/ QUOTE ]


At the Bellagio last year one guy at my table was on his phone for an orbit or two and was continually holding up the game.
He as speaking very loudly and obnoxiously.
"F'king Bellagio!! Don't be a pussy. Get your ass down here." (pause). "I already told you, F'cking Bellagio. Why aren't you here yet."
This thrilling conversation went on and on while he continually held up the game and made everyone at the table kind of uncomfortable.

dealer and floor did nothing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Did anyone ask for the floor? Ideally the floor should be paying attention, but sometimes they aren't. I would be very suprised if the floor would not ask this player to step away from the tabel if he became aware of this.

[/ QUOTE ]


It would have been very difficult for anyone anywhere near the table NOT to hear it.
I looked and saw the floor reasonably nearby but they didn't seem to care that somebody was cussing that loudly on his phone.

I'm still rather noob-ish at B&M play and was reluctant to call the floor on a guy at our table as I figured they could take care of it.
In other words, I was a wimp about telling an intimidating drunk to mind his manners and quiet down.

I don't know enough about B&M poker, but I think it should be okay for a dealer or the floor to attend to a matter like this without some player needing to muster up the courage to complain about it.

If the poker-floor is bothered by all the 'nits' offering one complaint after another then one way to change that would be to address problems themselves without relying on the complainers.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]


Flop comes 6-5-3. It's bet, called, and raised in front of him. He pauses a moment, and says into the phone:

"Daddy call you back."

[/ QUOTE ]

BINDING!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
this was pretty much the rule at the WSOP and all the satellites, etc.

Played a WSOP-circuit at the Grand in Tunica. Some $200 2nd-chance tourney.
Some guy raises pre-flop. Gets a couple callers.
Cell-phone rings.
IIRC I think he answered and told the person to hang on. Dealer mucks his cards and says it's the tournament rule.


They were pretty much doing the saame thing at the WSOp at the Rio last year (even in a single-table satellite).

You were allowed to step away from the table though but you ha to be off your phone before the cards got to your spot or you were mucked.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are two different rules at work here. You have to step away from the table to use the phone and you ahve to be seated when the dealer is done dealing. The Grand in Tunica has chased away or fired anyone that knows anything about poker. In a venue as large as the WSOP I can understand having a bad rule if it makes things easier to administate.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

I recognized some from the WSOP at the Rio. Although I think there were some Grand folks there too.

This rule seems to just have been consistent with the WSOP at the Rio and I don't think indicates any incompetence specifically by the Grand-Tunica. In other words, I don't think the Grand-Tunica had any choice about this rule since they were WSOP-C tourneys.

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

I also have had the same expierence as MicroBob with the WSOP and answerin phone calls, i briefly answered my phone while playing at the Caesars WSOP Circuit event, the dealer insta mucked my hand. But later on in a cash game i answered my phone while at the table and was still dealt hand after hand with the dealer saying nothing what so ever to me. Funny how stuff goes i guess

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]

1. If not for having a cellphone would the above mentioned baby not have been born?
2. Were babies not born before cellphones were invented?
3. If not for having a cellphone might the relative not been in an accident?
4. Did having a cellphone at the poker table enable the person in the accident to survive via some microwave magic?
5. If not for having a cellphone would the business robbery been prevented?
6. Did having a cellphone somehow help catch the burglar?
7. Did having the cellphone allow the poker player to douse the flames consuming his burning home?

[/ QUOTE ]

Obviously, you don't have children.

If you did, and some rule-making administrator tried to stand between you, and a phone call telling you that your kids were in harm's way, you'd want to tear his head off.

In a later post, you said you probably wouldn't be in a poker room if you were expecting an emergency phone call. Just as obviously, you've never received an emergency phone call, because they don't tend to any sort of schedule.

I was dealing once, and a players phone rang. She asked me, "May I answer that?" I said, "Of course." Another player piped up immediately about it. I told him, "What if her kid was just rushed to the hospital? There's no way I'm going to tell a person that they can't answer their phone." He had no counter to that.

I'm one of those people Randy mentioned who has received calls while in the poker room (one baby, one fire). If someone had stood between me and the telephone in either case, they would've been very sore the next morning.

(Interesting note about the "fire" call: it was the only time I've ever seen a dealer leave the table in the middle of a hand, and let another dealer finish the hand. I had no idea why I was being told to drop the deck and stand up immediately--I thought maybe a small rabid animal had crawled under my chair--until the new dealer said, "See the floorman," who was at the podium, holding up the phone. My heart sank. Good news never arrives in the middle of the night. When I picked up the phone, I was not expecting Ed McMahon from Publisher's Clearinghouse to congratulate me.)

Re: We Interrupt This Call . . .
 

[ QUOTE ]
a room that has a rule that you lose money for answering your phone is way out of line.

[/ QUOTE ]
At Ignignokt's House O' Poker, anyone answering their cell phone at the table would be zapped by the auto-aiming lasers, making their hand, and them, dead.

An exception would be made only if the player was dead money, in which case the laser would zap the phone.

Play the hand OR answer the phone. You get to pick, so I don't see the big deal.

Edit:

[ QUOTE ]
If you did, and some rule-making administrator tried to stand between you, and a phone call telling you that your kids were in harm's way, you'd want to tear his head off.

[/ QUOTE ]

If someone was so desperate to play poker that he demanded to do it while fielding a phone call telling him his kids were in harm's way, I'd want to tear his head off.