The first time or two she did this, I didn’t say anything, but then it became more that the dealer was playing via her cards than it was her playing. I then spoke up and said that the dealer should not really be helping her and even tried to invoke the “one player to a hand rule.” The guy that runs the game said that he never heard of this rule and if he hadn’t heard of it, he wasn’t going to enforce it. He then asked if other players objected. Nobody objected due to most of them being his buddies. He then later told me that if I didn’t like the way the game was run that I should go play elsewhere.

Was I right in saying something about this? What should I do? I usually run very well in this game.

Mike

Mike,

Your situation sounds very similar to a reason I no longer play in many home games. The bad point with most home games is that most are not run with any type of controls or with any rules whatsoever. Any rules that are in the game are typically instilled by the host and many times they are enforced only when it is beneficial.

In regards as to whether the dealer should have been helping the player, you are correct in that he should not. The one player to a hand rule is a Tournament Directors Association rule and one held my many professional card rooms. Unfortunately, as you know, your game is far from a professional card room.

I think you were right in saying something about what was going on, but once you discovered that nothing was going to be done, you really have to let it go. Personally, if I were you, I would find another game to play in if you care about the rules being enforced. Of course, if this is a case where your host is not being a jerk and is just misinformed about rules, do him a favor and buy him a rule book and point out what you were talking about. However, do it in private. He will either be receptive or tell you to buzz off. If you are comfortable with confronting him on it, feel free. Otherwise, maybe you should find a game that’s a little more structured.