Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

A childhood friend of mine is deaf and just found out he has been playing online poker. Me and a few friends will be heading to Atlantic City sometime this spring and my friend might come with us. Being a friend of someone who has a disability like this, i know he never wants me to volunteer information to people and places that, oh by the way my friend is deaf. But should something be said to a dealer or a floor person that some assistance might be needed in this situation. Mainly, knowing the amounts of raises to him and pot size, etc. Was just curious if anyone is deaf or play with someone who is deaf in a live game. Should something be said so he's not stuck trying to sign to a dealer who won't know what the heck to do?

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

Tough call. I say don't take him. I think it would seem unfair to the other players if your friend had somebody using sign language and giving him information about pot size and such, only because they can't be sure what else his helper might be telling him. Also, what kind of accomodations do you expect the dealers/floorman to make.

[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

Yes I actually played with two deaf players, he was excellent at reading lips and all we did was put up our hands and showed him the bet amount if he didnt catch it right away. I assume he told the floor person before he sat down, but he seemed to be a regular...the floor person came to the dealer and said he is deaf so help him out where he needs it and the dealer already knew him. Try the taj because the staff already knows how to deal with deaf players so it wont be anything new.

and good luck to you and your friend, not being able to hear shouldnt stop anyone from playing poker!

The other player was just an [censored] so he wasnt worth mentioning, but bet sizes and things were not much of an issue with him either.

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

If he really wants to play, I'd quietly let the floor in his section know what's going on and let him handle things.

If its a limit game, it shouldn't be too bad (the actions are fairly telegraphed and there's less verbal-only actions ("all in").

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

I've played with deaf players. No big deal at all. Of all the physical disabilities to have, hearing impairment is among the least problematic when playing poker.

Yes, let the floor and/or the dealers know that he's deaf and it should be smooth sailing. Trying to do this without letting folks know that he can't hear is probably a bad idea; things are likely to come up that need slightly special treatment and it'll avoid problems if people know in advance. And folks will know not to try to talk to him unless he's looking at 'em (presuming he can lip read).

Playing limit, the deaf players just need to pay attention to know what the bet sizes are. With no-limit, if the amount of the bet is uncertain the dealer can stack and count the bets to make it clear from across the table, or someone can sign it. It just works.

Don't sign with your friend during hands other than if something really odd is going on that needs detailed explaining, say, and make sure folks know what/why you're signing. English only during hands. Between the hands, whatever.

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

I have seen many deaf players it shouldn't be a problem at all. Obviously they are used to not being able to hear. The only thing is you mentioned you are in the east so the game might not be as easy to read.

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

sweet, have a good time

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

[ QUOTE ]
A childhood friend of mine is deaf and just found out he has been playing online poker. Me and a few friends will be heading to Atlantic City sometime this spring and my friend might come with us. Being a friend of someone who has a disability like this, i know he never wants me to volunteer information to people and places that, oh by the way my friend is deaf. But should something be said to a dealer or a floor person that some assistance might be needed in this situation. Mainly, knowing the amounts of raises to him and pot size, etc. Was just curious if anyone is deaf or play with someone who is deaf in a live game. Should something be said so he's not stuck trying to sign to a dealer who won't know what the heck to do?

[/ QUOTE ]

Normally, I'd advise against ignoring your friends wishes that you don't discuss his disability with anyone but in this case I'd advise you to persuade him that it's in his best interest that you let the floor and dealers know, especially if, as you seemed to suggest, he isn't able to speak very well. Since inadvertent hand actions may cause problems I'd speak with him and work out a plan of attack for different situations - what hand motions to make for "all in", for raise, for asking how much the other player bet, etc. Having the pot size given him is not necessary (unless it's PL), as the other players aren't given that information either. Explain to him that he can take all the time he needs to figure it out and come up with a signal for asking time. He should do fine (in fact, he may do better than most as he won't be distracted by all the other sounds all around him. I've played with players with disabilities that were much more physically severe (confined to wheelchair, loss of hand(s), etc), and they were able to cope.

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

[ QUOTE ]
I have seen many deaf players it shouldn't be a problem at all. Obviously they are used to not being able to hear. The only thing is you mentioned you are in the east so the game might not be as easy to read.

[/ QUOTE ]

??**rimshot**??

Re: Deaf Poker Player @ Casino...
 

As someone said, he's used to being deaf. If he's never played in a cardroom before, have him start with limit. As long as he follows the action and acts in turn, it won't matter at all if he's deaf. Find out the rules for sitting at a table (does he need to post? can he wait 'til after the button?) and tell him. That's going to be what the dealer asks him right off, and he can gesture or act accordingly. I don't see why anybody needs to be informed of it. If something arrises where it will be a problem, it will surely be handled well. He's used to living his life.