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.

The big blind then erupted and claimed that I had no right to interfere, claiming that there was a “one player to a hand rule.” The other players were saying that cards speak and that it didn’t matter. The floor then stated that his ruling stood and told me to not say anything further during hands I was not a part of. The big blind player was left with less than the big blind and was eliminated the next hand. He then told me he was going to wait for me to finish, insinuating that he wanted to fight.

Well, we ended up chopping about 15 minutes later and sure enough the guy was still there waiting. Nothing happened as I had two friends railing me and they left with me. They are quite large men and he just ran away like a little girl.

However, it does beg the question as to whether I was supposed to say anything during the tournament when the dealer made the mistake. I thought that cards spoke. What should have happened here.

Tony

Tony,

You have a scenario here where the player was trying to angle shoot for the pot after realizing he was sucked out on. Once a player is all-in, cards must be shown and cards do indeed speak. In the event of a dealer miscalling the hand, TDA rules clearly state that other players may assist the dealer in correctly calling the hands. In other words, you were entirely within your rights to point that out.

The player that claimed “one player to a hand” misunderstood the rule. One player to a hand involves someone giving advice on how to play a hand while action is still occurring. After someone is all-in and called, action is complete.

I am a little concerned that the floor manager told you to keep your mouth shut after the incident. He may have done that to keep peace. However, I would have still spoke up if the dealer made a mistake again.

I am also surprised that you did not have security called on the player that threatened you. You should have definitely taken up for yourself here and had him thrown out of the building. While that is your decision, it is one that I would have made without hesitation.

Cards speak means that a player cannot be penalized for miscalling his hand. If they do so, the dealer can make the correction. When the situation arises where the dealer is in error, it is your responsibility to help them. You would want the same done for you if you were in that spot. Another thing this does is that is shows you are an honest player. Annie Duke last year at the WSOP was all-in and had lost at the river to an opponent’s straight. The dealer miscalled the hand and her opponent did not notice it. Annie pointed out the dealer’s error and then packed up her stuff and exited the area. That was a case where her correcting the dealer cost her, but it was the right thing to do.