How to handle this time-wasting douchebag?
Playing 1-3. A new 30-something player has sat down to my direct right in the 3 seat, and on his first hand, the dealer has said his name 3 times, but the player is still "settling in" and is putting his wallet away. He then looks up and says sarcastically, "Oh, am I not playing fast enough?"
As the game progresses, he's frequently on his phone (looks like WhatApp) and sometimes has to be reminded to act. He even said, "Even though it's Sunday, I've got to deal with some work bullshit."
However, for EVERY HAND, he doesn't look at this cards when they're dealt to him, and when it's his turn to act, he shuffles them face down for 5 seconds before looking at them! No one else at the table seems openly annoyed by this. FWIW, the action at the table is pretty good and I like that I'm able to be in the 4 seat. The douche is playing fairly TAG.
Would you:
1. Just chill out and ignore it?
2. Say or do something that is either passive-aggressive or openly obnoxious?
3. Ask for a table change?
9 Replies
I find it is really great to be next to somebody on their phone. Sometimes they are in a poker tournament online, playing chess, Sudoku, or watching some kind of stream. As long as it isn't Apps that deal with poker strategy its a good thing.
Its a good thing because they can't concentrate properly. They aren't going to look for tells. They will likely only play hands that are strong. 3 bet range is basically going to be limited. sort of similar to most players who are getting a massage.
When I am sitting next to a jerk I basically don't talk with them. Sometimes I put on my poker glasses so I can put some distance between us and reduce the times they try to talk to me.
The shuffling the cards for 5 seconds thing is likely either he is a luck based idiot or he is intentionally trying to irritate you. I never let people irritate me. I chalk it up to their stupidity and let it go. In this case I don't try to get him to speed up.
You could tell him he's slowing down the game. See if he tries to go faster.
There was a guy at my table about a week ago watching a livestream and I told him he started to act faster.
I would probably start deliberately acting out of turn every time he is stalling. It should give him and everyone the notice that he's taking way too much time.
lol I'm exactly like you and this shit bugs the crap out of me. So I hope I have evolved enough to respond with no. 1, but I sometimes I still do no. 2.
It can't be that bad if nobody else seems bothered. If it really is that bad, I'd probably start making snide remarks in hopes to tilt him, but I'd keep it light (don't get angry or abusive).
"Is it finally my turn?" "Oh, I can act now. Hold on, let me look at my cards." That kind of thing.
I would definitely say something. Slowing down the game for no reason is stupid and should be pointed out as so.
Was he acting all loosey, goosey and eating a sandwich ?
Playing 1-3. A new 30-something player has sat down to my direct right in the 3 seat, and on his first hand, the dealer has said his name 3 times, but the player is still "settling in" and is putting his wallet away. He then looks up and says sarcastically, "Oh, am I not playing fast enough"As the game progresses, he's frequently on his phone (looks like WhatApp) and sometime
Only an observation, I find it interesting that you're not shy about being rude to people in your posts, but apparently have some reservations about being rude in person, even if it may seem entirely appropriate in the situation you've described.
Don't know if this helps, but one of my favorite bits of life-advice came to me from one of my sales coaches, who said, "if you feel it, say it". If this guy's annoying you, and your instinct is to call him out for holding up the game, you sound capable of making a sound determination of what's reasonable in the situation, and wouldn't be entirely out of line putting him on notice.
Otherwise, if the guy is just donating, I'd be inclined to put up with his nonsense. If he's not good for the game, I'd be more inclined to call him out on his BS.
I have no reservations about being rude in person, when the situation calls for it.
