2026 World Series of Poker May 26th - July 15th
Looks like the Kenny spreadsheet and the S-Points calculator are all filled out.
I find it hard to believe that "get good reviews, earn extra money" will make a dealer any better at their job if it is literally their first day, week, or month dealing.
The main dealer problem at the WSOP is not seasoned dealers who aren't trying their best, it is total novices who don't know what they are doing and don't have any speed. At least in my handful of WSOP visits.
I also suspect that a dealer who is very friendly, talks non-stop, and doesn't pay attention to the game will get good reviews because he's friendly, even though he's a very poor dealer. That's why having a criteria given out which the players,as well as the dealers get, should help the ratings be more accurate.
The main dealer problem at the WSOP is not seasoned dealers who aren't trying their best, it is total novices who don't know what they are doing and don't have any speed. At least in my handful of WSOP visits.
You’re not wrong, but the amount of dealers WSOP has to “import” for the series is massive. Players could be a little more helpful, understanding and accommodative as well. Plus usually the rank novices are put in low-level events like Daily Deepstacks, Satellites, ~$500 Bracelet Events etc. Higher Buyins generally have seasoned, better dealers. If you mostly play the Daily’s, Satellites, and sub-$1k buyins, yes you may get newbies who are a little slow.
Not even a question. They ARE allowed under federal law.
The only way not allowed would be some VERY specific excluding criteria. Either the venue provides an effective alternate (hard to do since you can't even really ask the service provided) or history of issues with the particular animal.
Any venue preventing a valid service animal without a strong case is asking for a lawsuit. But OTOH, I have never seen a bad acting service dog.
As to petting, like all animals owner/handler should be asked first. Normally, both the owner and dog are fine with it after permission is given. But just ask first and go with what you are told.
No good dealer i’ve ever known has ever considered for a second dealing at the WSOP. Those who have are unanimous: “Never again, biggest POS I’ve ever dealt to.” Most of them dealt there in the 80s & 90s fwiw.
I find it hard to believe that "get good reviews, earn extra money" will make a dealer any better at their job if it is literally their first day, week, or month dealing.
The main dealer problem at the WSOP is not seasoned dealers who aren't trying their best, it is total novices who don't know what they are doing and don't have any speed. At least in my handful of WSOP visits.
I don't even play at wsop that much and I've seen some atrocious dealers in multiple wsops. New l,learning and might get better is one thing. Awful for years is another thing entirely. Hopefully this helps get rid of some long term bad ones.
I also suspect that a dealer who is very friendly, talks non-stop, and doesn't pay attention to the game will get good reviews because he's friendly, even though he's a very poor dealer. That's why having a criteria given out which the players,as well as the dealers get, should help the ratings be more accurate.
Well, I think you're mostly right. To me, It depends on the type of game on whether its cash or tournament. Obviously in the WSOP, yes a friendly but slow dealer isnt ideal. However, a friendly dealer goes a long way in a cash game thats extremely tight-even if technically they aren't the most efficient.
Even in a tournament i think this skill can still matter a bit, but speed is ideal in a tournament setting.
As far as shitty dealers- guys, just have some patience. As others have said, they require hundreds of dealers to put the event on and its unrealistic to expect them all to be completely competent or especially dealer of the year.
As long as they are keeping the game moving at a reasonable pace and not consistently ****ing up the deal its fine, you usually only deal with them for 30 min at a time. Players should just help them out when needed (push or get your bets and calls close to the reach of the dealer ffs).
Everyone is doing their best, so just relax.
As far as shitty dealers- guys, just have some patience. As others have said, they require hundreds of dealers to put the event on and its unrealistic to expect them all to be completely competent or especially dealer of the year. As long as they are keeping the game moving at a reasonable pace and not consistently ****ing up the deal its fine, you usually only deal with the
100% agree.
Running the WSOP has to be one of the most difficult organisational tasks on the planet. I have been six or seven times and have only seen a handful of significant mistakes. I have been on tables with an obvious rookie dealer, but the players have always been forgiving and patient, helping to keep the dealer on the rails. If the choice is between cancelling events or putting up with those learning curves, I am very grateful that the organisers go for it.
Having an occasional slow dealer session will not affect your chances significantly.
You’re not wrong, but the amount of dealers WSOP has to “import” for the series is massive. Players could be a little more helpful, understanding and accommodative as well. Plus usually the rank novices are put in low-level events like Daily Deepstacks, Satellites, ~$500 Bracelet Events etc. Higher Buyins generally have seasoned, better dealers. If you mostly play the Daily
Players could also be smarter. For example doing double board board pots or running it twice with dealers who clearly are clueless and then complaining how long it takes are complete idiots. Even worse when it's two 800 dollar stacks in a 5/10/20 game.
My experience has also been players being very patient, kind, and helpful with these dealers, and understanding of the situation in general. But despite the friendly facade, it sucks sitting there constantly coaching, policing, and cajoling the dealer, while getting 5 hands per down.
I have played $600 - $1500 bracelet events. Maybe if I upped my game and played some $10k's I have a better experience! And I could lose all my money faster, come home sooner, save money on a hotel!
As someone who used to watch a lot of FT streamed via wsop.com or bluff back in 07-08 I am so hyped that we get youtube to stream all these tables.
I am eager to see how they do it and even if its just a overhead cam for each FT that would be ****ing hype for someone who loved watching mixed events.
This is serious super cool and hope it continues
ill repeat this every week i am so so ****ing happy this is back
Also please don't ****ing hate me. this is unpopular but if dealers are still getting 15$ a down and 20$ a down for mixed. while I didnt think thats terrible.
I am okay paying 1% rake more to make downs go from 15$ to 16$-16.50 if needed
As far as shitty dealers- guys, just have some patience. As others have said, they require hundreds of dealers to put the event on and its unrealistic to expect them all to be completely competent or especially dealer of the year. As long as they are keeping the game moving at a reasonable pace and not consistently ****ing up the deal its fine, you usually only deal with the
Every time I've had a dealer at the WSOP who was clearly in over their head, the players were patient and kind.
Plenty of times where the dealer said this was their first day dealing.
The most conspicuous example was a dealer who dealt her first hand ever in Level 1 of a tournament I was in. The dealer tried repeatedly to shuffle the cards, only to see them get stuck. Couldn't figure it out and had to spread them on the table and push them around. Half-a-dozen hands in, you could tell that not only was she unprepared to handle dealer responsibilities, but even worse for her you could tell she had the self awareness to know she did not belong. A couple of times she started to push the pot to the losing player. She had difficulties making change.
It was not a problem. The table's players self-policed as needed. No one treated her with disrespect. Instead, the players showed compassion. After there was a dealer change, players quietly discussed her performance. The unanimous opinion was that while she clearly should not have been dealing at the WSOP, it was not her fault. She was placed in a position to clearly fail. Table consensus was that it was the WSOP that was to blame for throwing a completely undertrained dealer into the deep end of the pool to sink or swim on her own.
I have seen variations of this several times, and the players at the table always acted impeccably. I'm pretty sure if anyone ever got out of line abusing a rookie dealer for poor performance, many players at the table would have shut it down.
Also please don't ****ing hate me. this is unpopular but if dealers are still getting 15$ a down and 20$ a down for mixed. while I didnt think thats terrible.
I am okay paying 1% rake more to make downs go from 15$ to 16$-16.50 if needed
Are they getting $15/down before or after tips? Are they getting paid at all when they are at work but not dealing?
I’ve long thought that casinos should increase their rake by $1/hand but making tipping dealers illegal.
Every time I've had a dealer at the WSOP who was clearly in over their head, the players were patient and kind.Plenty of times where the dealer said this was their first day dealing.The most conspicuous example was a dealer who dealt her first hand ever in Level 1 of a tournament I was in. The dealer tried repeatedly to shuffle the cards, only to see them get stuck. Couldn't fi
I once had a dealer at the WSOP who got so flustered she got up and left the table in the middle of a hand. Though in this case, the players were -not- acting impeccably.
Don't worry, people. Perhaps very soon all the dealers will be replaced with humanoid robots. When that happens, I wonder what the players will complain about then?
I have seen some robot dealers and they are super slow. It's not easy for them to peel off one card at a time. lol
No story will beat the first time dealer a couple of summers ago who thought that the color up meant that all of the chips on the table got sorted by color. In big piles all together.
No story will beat the first time dealer a couple of summers ago who thought that the color up meant that all of the chips on the table got sorted by color. In big piles all together.
Lol oops. Guess the camera took care of that?
Glad to hear stories of the dealers getting treated well if mistakes are made-that would not happen regularly in SoCal. God damn dudes (older) can be ****ing pricks.
While I never put up with dealer abuse, and the WSOP is absolutely responsible for putting out completely rookie dealers , im always shocked that someone would agree to deal in a tournament if they didnt know what they were doing, let alone be unable to shuffle cards. If it were me, id say "no way, they are playing for too much money im too afraid to **** that up. "
I had a rookie in a 2-5 cash game last year at Paris and she kept hand shuffling. We pointed out the auto shuffler and she said she didnt know how to use it- So we showed her. It was kind of sweet seeing her reaction of how thankful she was.
16 days til I get to play, cant ****ing wait. Good luck people
Don't worry, people. Perhaps very soon all the dealers will be replaced with humanoid robots. When that happens, I wonder what the players will complain about then?
I thought those electronic dealers would eventually take over dealers when I first played on one on a cruise back in 2011. Hopefully never.
Guys, upping the rake and making tips illegal is un-American. Dealers would not appreciate that.
Lol oops. Guess the camera took care of that?While I never put up with dealer abuse, and the WSOP is absolutely responsible for putting out completely rookie dealers , im always shocked that someone would agree to deal in a tournament if they didnt know what they were doing, let alone be unable to shuffle cards. If it were me, id say "no way, they are playing for too much money
Well if it's deal in a tournament or not at all and no job.... You over estimate someone thinking and saying "too much money on the line", I don't think that ever enters their mind. From my understanding WSOP has the veterans deal the ends of tournaments where money matters more as opposed to level 1 day 1 of the colossus.
Most places near me start new dealers in tournaments and let the vets deal cash. Makes sense, rake is fixed in a tournament, cash games mostly more hands = more rake. You also don't want to have your cash game players leave. In a tournament it's too late.
Well if it's deal in a tournament or not at all and no job.... You over estimate someone thinking and saying "too much money on the line", I don't think that ever enters their mind. From my understanding WSOP has the veterans deal the ends of tournaments where money matters more as opposed to level 1 day 1 of the colossus. Most places near me start new dealers in tournaments
Yea, fair point. The WSOP should just be sure that the staff they are putting out feel comfortable in their job. But that's a great example of why taking it easy on the dealers is so important. Just for the environment alone, those having a good time play looser.
Enjoy the series all
I also suspect that a dealer who is very friendly, talks non-stop, and doesn't pay attention to the game will get good reviews because he's friendly, even though he's a very poor dealer. That's why having a criteria given out which the players,as well as the dealers get, should help the ratings be more accurate.
A dealer who can bring some fun and levity to the game is valuable to everyone but misregs. Especially at WSOP games. If they are actually "very poor" as opposed to occasionally making trivial mistakes or slowing the game down by .8% to make people smile and talk, I don't think they would likely win an award.
I'm glad to see the awards, but as others have said, the problem is entry level dealers. They will not be affected by the awards.
Dealing poker is no longer a good career path. Some good jobs exist but you could easily be an 80th percentile dealer and never get one. I even know an attractive woman who is a decent dealer and has 2 part time jobs.
A lot of people who would be good dealers will see this and never try. Others will try and then quit. So something like WSOP will always have to draw on naive or desperate people and take whoever they can get.
