Venetain Dilemma

[pokerfloor]

You really have to watch what you say and how you say it

[Rick Nebiolo]

[ QUOTE ]
PS, When we were told to break the game, it was the only game of that ilk in the room. We were told the game was over, first. Then when I strongly protested, he said it would be full rake. First he said, game is over, here's your racks. FWIW.

[/ QUOTE ]

Howard, I've just skimmed the complete thread and it seems you've already gotten some great responses. The above clarification just floored me, I can't believe a floor would ever break the only game going of a given type and limit unless the buildings on fire or the entire table's behavior is completely out of control (and I've seen that just once). The tactlessness he used is almost beyond belief.

Anyway, before I found that there was a second page of responses to your OP I wrote a bit about the way things are done in LA, so I might as well paste it in here for what it's worth:


In LA...

...at the very low limits with multiple games at that limit (or a nearby limit, e.g 3/6 and 4/8) when business is on the downswing games almost always consolidate, but a good floor looks for signs that the players are getting restless looking for the game to fill before offering the players a chance to play in a full game. If the floor is doing it right, he locks up the seats in the other games and had the players in the breaking game draw cards, with the highest cards getting first choice of seat and so on.

In the higher limits (usually 40/80 and above) it's more common for two tables to want to play short where they could otherwise consolidate (let's say two four handed games). The players understand that if new players come in they will be distributed evenly between the two games and once a new player takes a hand he has an equal right to a consolidated game if they eventually need to draw for seats.

As an aside, these days it appears in LA most floor in limits 20/40 and below have little authority to reduce drop beyond the posted limits, but I have seen exceptions late at night.

~ Rick

[pokerfloor]

Well all we can do is wait and see what he will do
as far as keeping tables for regulars we have a seperate room for our tournaments some times we put them in the front room just to make it look full but we always have a table in one or the other

[pokerfloor]

I'm just saying you have alot of people coming in to the casinos that have never been, and they don't know about tipping

[pokerfloor]

21 years in the casino, Flooring poker since 1992

[Lestat]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm just saying you have alot of people coming in to the casinos that have never been, and they don't know about tipping

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with you that it's important for (good) dealers to be toked. But mostly because their own place of employment is unwilling to pay them for showing up to work and doing a good job. So I agree with you, but...

Don't you think that once first timers notice how other players keep throwing white chips to the dealer every time they win a pot, that even they will get the idea? You're acting like people who have never played before are the biggest stiffers. This is NOT the case! The next time you see someone stiff a dealer, chances are overwhelmingly high that it was intentional. New player or a 15 year veteran.

[Mason Malmuth]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm just saying you have alot of people coming in to the casinos that have never been, and they don't know about tipping

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry, but this statement is just ridiculous. I'm sure that's what you think and I don't question your integrity, but it is just plain silly.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Howard Burroughs]

Thanks very much for the response Rick! (and thanks to everyone else for the feedback).

"The tactlessness he used is almost beyond belief."

Yea, it was the only game going of that ilk and they had plenty of dealers available. He (floor man) told us the game was over, rack up. When I kept asking why, he said he was just NOT going to pay us both $2 per hour in comps while giving reduced rake. So the game is done. His words, not mine.

Then I pushed the issue and he said full rake was an option (this is as the head floorman is walking up to the table).

Hey, at least the head floor man overruled him when he came to the table.


Thanks for the feedback guys.


All the best,

Howard

[MicroBob]

I guess it depends on your definition of 'a lot' but I've sat with players in 3/6 and 4/8 limit games who have never played live casino poker before who didn't know to tip.

I've met these types in both tunica and Las Vegas. I play live MAYBE once a month. and I frequently am playing the lowest to the 2nd lowest limit available which is where I think you will find a majority of these total newbies.


I've also counted-cards at BJ before and was also a BJ dealer for 8 months. On a majority of the weekends sessions/shifts there was at least one player stepping up to the table who I'm guessing had never been in a casino before.

[Lestat]

Microbob-

Even those who have never been to a casino before will quickly get the idea that tokes are expected (why do you think the dealers clang the chip on the box and say a loudish, "thank you!", before they drop a toke?).

I don't think I agree with Mason's general attitude towards tipping dealers, but I have to agree that pokerfloor is really reaching here in his effort to defend what he said to those players who were at the short table.