WSOP: Incompetent Dealers Could Decide Outcome

[DoyleReno]

I was on my way to the Rio in Las Vegas to audition for the WSOP as a delaer when a fellow dealer informed me that the auditions had been closed two weeks early. Never mind Harrahs advertised a begining and end date for auditions. Apparently they filled the "quota" early and just closed down. Advertising laws aside, my suspicion was aroused and so should yours.

A few days earlier while talking with several dealers (who had previously auditioned for the WSOP) they were joking about the laughable abilites (lack there of) of the "dealers" the WSOP was readily hiring. Among those accepted many didn't even know how to play poker let alone run a game. I'm not making this up. I happen to know 2 "dealers" hired for this years event and they have never dealt a professional game and in my estimation could not even pass an audition for a break in casino.

From what I've learned the WSOP was hiring any room temperature body with at least two hands. Candidates were then placed in A,B or C classes depending upon their "abilities". The "C" class recruits, lacking any dealer skills, would be "taught" the game. As if.

The "why" of this is likely due to the heated dispute between the '06 WSOP dealers and Harrah's over an arbitrary decision to trim dealers wages after the event began. Which makes me wonder if hiring neophytes this year who are delighted to get a break from their telemarketing gig will present a more malleable and vapid crew. Translation: diminished bitching.

When I contacted Harrahs Entertainment they apologized for closing the audition early but refused to "make an exception" by allowing me to audition within the advertised schedule. If you assumed they would audition for the announced time frame and then go back and select the best of the group you would be wrong.

Imagine if you will being short stacked with blinds about to increas and the dealer can't spread a flop without a floormans assistance. If you play the WSOP and have a bad experience with the dealer (as many did last year) ask the tournament director to consider auditioning all the dealers. Not just the warm bodies who wander in first. <font color="red"> </font>