How to deal with belligerent poker plays at your table
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009In society, the boundaries of right and wrong are recognized by those who abide by the laws. Unfortunately, at the poker table the boundary lines blur and perceived ethics warps the perception of the individual players. As a result, rude and belligerent players exercise the right to say whatever is needed to win. They may even reach beyond the rules of the game and irritate the other players.
When a player loses he can often act in an erratic manner, much like an intolerant child in the midst of a competitive game. The stakes are high, whether at the kitchen table or the Panama casinos. Losing any amount of money has the ability to transform even the kindest of dispositions. The passionate poker players who are professional may experience rage after unexpected losses, especially if they are from less experienced players. This often results in anger or pompous attitudes during the game play. Sometimes this abusive attitude is a ploy to distract the other players without getting kicked out by the casino managers. A crafty player will know exactly what to do to keep their place on the table yet create necessary distractions to ensure their victory.
If you are in the middle of a poker game and someone acts in a belligerent manner, assess the situation before acting. A wrong reaction could cost you the game. Cunning players will attempt to throw you off your mark to distract you from your strategic thoughts. If someone has directly targeted you, consider their background. Are they a seasoned player or a novice looking for attention? A novice who is just looking to make a scene will cause enough of a ruckus to attract the attention of the dealer or the casino manager. Conversely, a sly player may nudge you just enough to distract you but not enough to get ejected from the game.
If a player reaches over and touches your chips, try not to make a scene at first as you do not want to draw unnecessary attention to yourself. Kindly ask the player to remove his hand from your poker chips and continue playing. If the player is defiant, ask him again but say it loud enough so the dealer hears you. This will usually tell the instigator that you mean business but you will not involve yourself in their petty games.
If the player continues and the dealer does not take action, give the player a final notice. Take your complaints to the supervisor or casino manager. You can also ask the dealer for a seat change button at your current table or ask the manager to transfer to a different table. It is not worth the stress and heartache that will most certainly result from a headstrong, abusive player. Some players cannot be stopped and unfortunately you are the one to suffer. Eventually these instigators will shoot themselves in the foot, but until then stay far away from the situation. If they ruffle your feathers they have succeeded in their plans.
