Cell phones at tables

[pig4bill]

A number of rooms in Vegas have big signs in plain view expressly forbidding cellphone use of any kind in the poker room. Doesn't matter, because the dealers don't enforce it. I suppose if you made an issue of it with the floor and pointed to the sign, you might get somewhere, but otherwise it's a lost cause.

[GiantBuddha]

I've seen dealers on their cell phones during a hand. That should certainly not be allowed. But whether there should be a rule regarding players on their phones... I think it's more a matter of consideration than legislation. There's a lot of things that aren't expressly against the rules which are very rude. Talking loudly on your cell phone is one of them. Anything which prevents you from following the action is also rude. I'd say instead of asking the dealer if there's a rule against something, just ask the offender if they would please be more considerate. If being polite doesn't work, then punch them in the face.

[goodgrief]

Cell phones at tables is more than just rude. It [censors] me off. There is a reason that cell phones are not allowed at the blackjack tables -- because they can aid in cheating schemes such as hole carding. Those same damn reasons exist in the poker room, but the casino doesn't care because it's our money and not their money.

[Forbin]

[ QUOTE ]
Cell phones at tables is more than just rude. It [censors] me off. There is a reason that cell phones are not allowed at the blackjack tables -- because they can aid in cheating schemes such as hole carding. Those same damn reasons exist in the poker room, but the casino doesn't care because it's our money and not their money.

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More casinos are starting to allow you to use your cell while playing blackjack. Bally's/Paris comes to mind from my most recent Vegas trip a few weeks back. They even let you use your cell while playing craps, as long as you aren't the shooter.

[GiantBuddha]

Attention spans have just gotten pathetic.

[goodgrief]

Fair enough, but the argument that some casinos don't even protect their own games so they shouldn't be expected to protect my game is not a very robust one, in my humble opinion.

[ QUOTE ]
More casinos are starting to allow you to use your cell while playing blackjack. Bally's/Paris comes to mind from my most recent Vegas trip a few weeks back. They even let you use your cell while playing craps, as long as you aren't the shooter.

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[Leader]

[ QUOTE ]
I was actually going to post this question today - but I was curious about Foxwoods in particular. Last week my cousin was supposed to call me when he arrived, so I had my cell on vibrate in my pocket. He called and I took the call only to tell him what table number I was at so he could find me. I kept it quiet and brief - but I wasn't sure if I was actually breaking the house rule by being on it at all. The dealer did not say anything to me, but he might have just been letting me slide cause I was quick and I am not a d*ck. This was a cash game, btw.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah variance. Same weekend, a guy I was sitting next to got his cards killed for taking a call. Proceeded to go on a half hour rant about the dealer costing him 10 bucks (he was in the SB). I saw another guy on the phone later that weekend and nothing happened.

[boondockst]

I guess Potawatomi just started allowing cellphones in the poker room. Like in your pocket in the poker room. They feel this is technologically progressive. I will not return. (Wife was kicked out for having a laptop in a communal nongambling area)

[Forbin]

[ QUOTE ]
Fair enough, but the argument that some casinos don't even protect their own games so they shouldn't be expected to protect my game is not a very robust one, in my humble opinion.

[ QUOTE ]
More casinos are starting to allow you to use your cell while playing blackjack. Bally's/Paris comes to mind from my most recent Vegas trip a few weeks back. They even let you use your cell while playing craps, as long as you aren't the shooter.

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By that argument you should completely disallow headphones/music players, because anything you could be listening to might potentially be feeding you information about other people's cards.


To be honest I almost never use my music player at a table. If my cell phone rings during a hand I may look at the display to see who it is, but I'm only answering it if I know it needs to be answered. I may play out that hand if I'm still in it, but I would not continue to play while on the phone. However I have no problem with other people wearing headphones and/or using cell phones at a table, as long as they don't slow the game down much.

[goodgrief]

Absolutely that's my argument. Headphones should not be tolerated at the poker table. Casinos allow them in the poker room because they don't give a damn about my money. They know they can be used in cheating schemes. They've seen it happen and that's why they don't generally tolerate them at their tables. But they don't care if it's my money. They only care if it's their money. The comment that some casinos have weak game protection doesn't especially weaken my over-all argument, in my opinion. You are free to disagree.

Look, you as an honest player who wants to win by study and wits may be wearing a headphone or using a cell at the table merely because you were brought up in a barn. Fair enough. But how do you know that the same is true of the next guy?

It's the same as my issue with the masked player at the Wynn. When he stands up at the poker table, he has to remove his mask. He can't wear the mask in the casino where the "real" games live. But he can sit at my table wearing a mask? This particular guy is probably not planning an armed robbery at the poker table. But it's just common sense. Masked guys don't need to be anywhere around my money. Especially if they aren't allowed anywhere near casino money.