Altercations at the table
Feel free to share any and all encounters with A holes at the table and how you shut them up or otherwise handled it.
I recently saw an altercation at a 5/5 table at the Encore in Vegas. Guy was yelling like a mad man at the dealer for not dealing him in as he got up to talk to his friend at the table behind him. The funniest thing was that he seemed like one of those guys that just looks for some reason to get angry at the dealer for no good reason. About 4 people spoke up at the table telling him how he was wrong. He was not seated and the dealer was just doing her job. She’s not going to be able to look around the room to make sure none of the players are close by. He got quiet immediately after everybody explained how unreasonable he was being.
I had a degen chase me around an apartment threatening to spit on me / my car because I refused to loan him to play him heads up after he tried stealing my deck of cards. Had another degen throw a handful of $0.50 and $1 coins at me and I ducked and they smashed against wall or my apartment when I tried to cash his $100 or so out with about $10 worth of coin and the rest cash after he drunkenly passed out on my reclining chair after playing me heads up for less than an hour or so. Home games for the win.
Well, I just got banned from my favorite underground game for three months (unfairly, in my opinion), so I might as well tell the story behind it.
Game in question is a 5/5 PLO game in the Buffalo area that runs four nights per week. It's held in a former bar, and that venue is quite appropriate, as the majority of players are drinking to excess any time they take a seat, myself included. Player pool is around 20 regulars, with a few newcomers occasionally sprinkling in. I generally get along with all but one of the regulars (and that one exception will certainly factor into this story), but I admittedly have my low moments where I'm drunk, down a few grand, and unable to 'keep my thoughts to myself'. A few years back, a 4 AM discussion of the existence/nonexistence of god led to me getting another 3 month ban, after an overzealous theist decided to initiate a shoving match with my heathen self. So I guess that was my first strike.
This time around, it's 5 AM, I'm many IPAs in, and I'm down 7k. $25 double board bomb pots have not been kind to me, and one typically bluff-happy (fellow) drunkard reg keeps showing up with the goods against me. So by now I'm just insta-3betting opens and looking to get my remaining 3k in, whenever, however. The one game operator likes to refer to me as the 'winningest player at the game', but I don't think that can possibly be true given my susceptibility to nights like these. I may win 75-80% of my sessions, but the losing 20-25 can get very ugly.
Anyway, the guy I don't particularly like is sitting two to my left, being his typical all-too-talkative self. He and I had had two verbal disagreements over the past six months, one of which led to him grabbing me by the neck before a game operator intervened and restrained him. He played college football (though as a running back), has a habit of curling 25 lb weights between hands. He's about a year removed from a 7-year prison sentence for illegal debt collecting practices, and he told me previously that he would've 'killed me' were it not for the fact that he's still on probation. That comment led me to ask around the local poker community to see if I should he worried about this guy, but several people reassured me that he's not a threat.
Still, I resolved to be more careful around him. The best-laid plans tend to be fully undermined by the synergistic effect produced by the combination of inebriation and losing, however. So when he decided to comment, 'mrcnkwcz is on life tilt', I went off on him. I remember screaming at him, though I'm not entirely sure what I said, as I was drunk. So, he gets up from the table, and I do as well, if only to back away from him. I'm never looking to initiate a physical fight with my words, but other people tend to have their own ideas.
Meanwhile, a guy to my right, a guy who's built like a linebacker and with whom I generally get along, is telling me to shut up. I eventually hit him with a 'go F yourself', and that's when the melee ensued. He stood up and threw a giant fist towards my face, which I mostly dodged, though I ended up on the floor anyway as I crashed into a nearby drink table in my effort to evade. Linebacker dude kicked me a couple times while I was down before the game's security guard held him back. One player immediately bolted from the game without even bothering to cash out his ~4k in chips, but the rest of us had resumed playing within five minutes. My attacker threw me 50 bucks as a peace offering, not that it mattered, as I eventually punted off the remaining 3k to none other than the guy who'd initially set me off. I quietly said 'nice hand', went to the fridge to get a beer, then waited for the players to leave so I could vent my frustration to the game operator (who's become a friend of mine), the security guard, and the dealer (also a friend).
Once the other game operator reviewed security footage of the incident the next day, it was decided that I'd get a 3-month ban while the other two escaped punishment. Not the fairest of verdicts given that I made zero effort to do physical harm to anyone, but there's no point in protesting. I talked to the game operator with whom I'm friends on the phone for an hour two days later; he recommended that I either replace or supplement my alcohol consumption with 'shroom microdosing. I told him I'd see him in three months, beer in hand.
ETA that there was a stripper at this game that night, serving drinks there for the first time. Unlike most local strippers I've seen over the years (which ultimately doesn't amount to too many, as I'm not really a fan of strip clubs, but would occasionally find myself at one for a bachelor party or whatever) she was actually extremely hot. One guy took 1k out of his stack to get a (quite expensive) lap dance from her in full view of the rest of us. He rightly said that I'd paid for that lap dance, lol. The stripper's parting words at 6 AM: 'Bye guys. Please don't kill each other.'
No wonder they call Buffalo the ******* of the world.
Well, I just got banned from my favorite underground game for three months (unfairly, in my opinion), so I might as well tell the story behind it.
Game in question is a 5/5 PLO game in the Buffalo area that runs four nights per week. It's held in a former bar, and that venue is quite appropriate, as the majority of players are drinking to excess any time they take a seat, myself included. Player pool is around 20 regulars, with a few newcomers occasionally sprinkling in. I generally get along
Strippers. Founts of wisdom.
Are you sure the game operator is a friend of yours? Sounds like he's friendlier with the big guys who like to get physical.
Well, I just got banned from my favorite underground game for three months (unfairly, in my opinion), so I might as well tell the story behind it.
Game in question is a 5/5 PLO game in the Buffalo area that runs four nights per week. It's held in a former bar, and that venue is quite appropriate, as the majority of players are drinking to excess any time they take a seat, myself included. Player pool is around 20 regulars, with a few newcomers occasionally sprinkling in. I generally get along
Hate to tell you but nobody at this game is your friend. They are bleeding you dry. I had a "friend" that was doing the same to me. Acted like he was my friend, listening to my life **** that I was going thru, going out together to strip clubs, partying together the whole 9. All the while he was cheating the game as a dealer for his real friends against me. Bleed me good too. I found out sitting seat 9 that he was false shuffling/cutting the deck. Saw it plain as day and he dealt me AA right after doubling up another player. I always figured that his game was rigged but you never want to believe that you are a mark. Well I was. He still calls me and text me to plead his case. It's all a hustle. Don't be "the mark" !
Are you sure the game operator is a friend of yours? Sounds like he's friendlier with the big guys who like to get physical.
The other game operator is the one who's friendlier with my recurring adversary; those two were friends from the time before the debt collector served his prison sentence. I foresaw that I was going to be the one taking the fall, given the 'partnership' in play. I also have a reputation for being a loose cannon (verbally) when drunk, and I've challenged the secondary game operator (who owns 40% of the game compared to the 60% owned by the guy I consider something of a friend) on a few occasions, such as back in the summer of 2020 when he played sick and gave Covid to multiple people. A couple of those people were hospitalized and are still suffering adverse health effects 3.66 years later. This guy is completely jacked, whereas I'm 6'1'', 170, so he's not accustomed to being 'challenged' by someone at a serious size disadvantage to him. But I don't care; when drinking, I'm going to say my piece.
Unbeknownst to the 40% owner, the majority owner offered me a 10% stake in the game for 30k back in October, when he was completely broke. I gave it some thought but declined, as I do not want to have that level of involvement in an ultimately illegal game. I tried to hook the then-broke game operator up with a poker friend who is very active in real estate and acquaintances with multiple loan sharks, but my buddy was in his native Scotland during the game operator's 'time of need'. (For what it's worth, the Scottish guy and I have agreed to play the WSOP tag team event together this summer). Would've added an interesting layer to this most recent situation had I accepted the offer to buy 10%!
Hate to tell you but nobody at this game is your friend. They are bleeding you dry. I had a "friend" that was doing the same to me. Acted like he was my friend, listening to my life **** that I was going thru, going out together to strip clubs, partying together the whole 9. All the while he was cheating the game as a dealer for his real friends against me. Bleed me good too. I found out sitting seat 9 that he was false shuffling/cutting the deck. Saw it plain as day and he dealt me AA right af
It's hard to say that when you don't know anyone involved or anything beyond what you read in one post of mine. I've played in maybe 8 different underground games in metro Buffalo since March 2020, and the only wrongdoing I've encountered is overraking of pots by a couple dealers. One of those dealers died from fentanyl-laced cocaine a few months back; he and I stayed in the same house for the Turning Stone WSOP circuit event last March. He was a charismatic guy with some low-key shady tendencies. That describes quite a few people I regularly interact with in the Buffalo poker scene. I've never been f*cked over at any of these games, but I have been when I've extended loans to a few people.
ETA Obviously what happened to you sucks, and I don't mean to minimize that
Just had this one the other day.
Our PLO game is infested with regulars. Not necessarily a bad thing as many if them are not pro level, but there is a core group that plays regularly.
Whenever I deal, I sit down and usually I know at least 6 or 7 of the players. Often all 8 of the players are regs. I can literally call all of them by their first names without ever looking at Bravo.
Where this is a problem is that familiarity among the players breeds a certain level of comfort that leads them to take jokes and ribbing a bit too far. They will say things to each other that as a dealer I technically should put a complete stop to, but they are all enjoying themselves so I also do not want to be a spoil sport and stop something everyone is enjoying.
It is a fine line, and I will admit it is a tough line to walk as a dealer. My minimum is I try to protect the non-regulars and anyone I see is uncomfortable with the talk. I am sure I have failed in some circumstances, but I do try. It is a fine line.
I mean it is mostly stupid stuff where one player will comment about another player being too tight or too loose and then someone making a comment about the players wife/mother being too tight or loose. Stuff like that. Stupid stuff, but technically unacceptable. What makes it harder is one of the regulars is a older lady (maybe low 60s??), who mostly stays quiet, but every now and then will throw out a devastating response. She likes it as much as the rest. If a 60 something year old grandma is ok with the behavior, how can I police it as a dealer?
All if this is fine. However it is quite clear two of the players do not really like each other. All of the other players can say the worst about eithers wife/mother/girlfriend but if they say something to each other, they get mad.
So the other day these two get into it. It was stupid. The table is playing a bomb pot. I deal the cards and put out the two boards. Action is slow (like all bomb pots). Just then a food runner brings food to player A. He is engrossed in conversation with the food runner when action finally gets to him. He is distracted, so there is a pause. Player B (his mortal enemy) starts harassing him and talking smack.
Player A finally acts on the flop. Action moves around slowly and we get to the turn. By the time action gets to Player A, he is distracted opening his food and silverware so there is a delay. Again this sets off Player B who gives him crap. Player A ends up calling a turn bet.
We go to the river. There is a bet and Player A calls and a 3rd player calls.
Player A wins half the pot, but he won the half he wasn't aiming for. His calls were a bit suspect. Not OMG the worst, but also probably not recommended. I am not a double board bomb pot expert, so I am not the best judge, so while I understood the logic behind his calls, I don't think it was sound.
Whatever.
Player B starts in on him. Giving him all sorts of crap.
Player A is now stacking his half of the pot, but he is also eating his food at the same time. It is some sort of chicken curry. It is much hotter/spicy than he expected. So he is already sweating.
Player B keeps talking smack and it pisses off Player A. He starts to talk back and the talk is escalating. They both start making open threats towards each other.
I try to de-escalate the situation, but they are not listening to me and are only focused on talking to each other.
Player B then stands up and looks like he is going to make it physical. Player A puts a fork full of chicken curry in his mouth and stands up ready to make it physical as well. I am already looking around for a floor. It has gone beyond normal hatred. They are going to go at it.
Suddenly Player A starts coughing and choking. The chicken curry is too spicy for him. He is wheezing, coughing, and sweating. Finally he says "Eff you!", I am going to eat my food and enjoy it".
He sits back down.
Player B is standing, and suddenly feels stupid physically threatening someone who sat back down and started eating. So he sits back down and play continues.
Never got to a physical confrontation, but it was close.
Spicy chicken curry saved the day.
I got very excited that player B was about to get a face full of coughed out curry chicken. Now I have altercation story blue balls.
I got very excited that player B was about to get a face full of coughed out curry chicken. Now I have altercation story blue balls.
Hahaha. Yeah the post was so long I scrolled to the end and read the last few paragraphs, saw that there was no fight and skipped it.
Sorry JimL, but if I wanted blue balls I would go to a strip club.
Anyone have any good stories involving dealers?
A long time ago I wasn't dealing, but I was playing at a table where a player got mad at a dealer over something that wasn't the dealers fault. The dealer tried to be nice, but the player wasn't having any of that and said some stuff that should have got him banned.
Basically he threatened the dealer to a fight. Asked him if he wanted to meet in the parking garage. The dealer engaged him and pretended like he was considering it.
Finally the dealer, says "I would meet you in the garage, but I won't bet on it because it would be unfair. You are going to lose."
This sets of the guy and he goes absolutely apeshit and really starts in on the dealer. The rant culminated with the player asking him the dealer could possibly think he could win?
The dealer responded "I will be bringing two or three of those guys with the yellow/red/black/whatever suits. They will have walkie talkies that can call dozens more plus contact the police. Who are you bringing?"
The point of this is that physical altercations with dealers are rare simply because one side has extra resources to bring to the fight, right or wrong.
The point of this is that physical altercations with dealers are rare simply because one side has extra resources to bring to the fight, right or wrong.
This is also a severely negative social attitude-adjuster among casino floormen, who develop certain character traits because they spend all day, every day, barking orders and telling people what to do, customers and employees alike, backed up by armed security who will do their bidding at the drop of a hat...
Whenever I've had a non-gaming social occasion where I know there will be a lot of gaming suits in attendance, I avoid it because they're usually about at the same spot on the douchebag-spectrum as fans at an amateur MMA contest.
100% convinced spending a lot of time surrounded by personal security contributes to this because most of the time, they're otherwise people who'd get beaten up very quickly for acting that way.
This is also a severely negative social attitude-adjuster among casino floormen, who develop certain character traits because they spend all day, every day, barking orders and telling people what to do, customers and employees alike, backed up by armed security who will do their bidding at the drop of a hat...
Whenever I've had a non-gaming social occasion where I know there will be a lot of gaming suits in attendance, I avoid it because they're usually about at the same spot on the douchebag-sp
Dumbest take ever.
I am not saying there are dealers/floorpeople who abuse their authority of course there are.
However, there are many orders of magnitude dealers/floorpeople who get abused by players.
Not even close. Laughingly comparable.
