Remembering Live Poker

I have been a contributor to an online poker magazine.  I made one contribution.  Regardless, I have contributed to an online poker magazine which was probably read by ten people.  So, I think I have a credible platform to comment on live poker. 

I have made a lot of true friends playing poker.  Usually, I made friends like this.  Someone that I don't know is sitting at my table and they annoy the heck out of me.  (It is possible that it works out that I annoy the heck out of someone else, but, that would be rare.)  Anyway, so I am deeply annoyed and I make eye contact with this person and let them know through my fierce eyes that they are annoying me.  So, every time hence that we see each other, we make eye contact confirming that we are still annoyed.  Until, the inevitable happens.  Someone comes to the table that annoys both of us.  We make eye contact again and then leave the table so we can bond over how much we are annoyed by the third player.  It is like the circle of life.  Like I said, most of my closest poker friends started out as my mortal enemy.  

However, there are some people that never cross over the line to friendship. Take the last live poker tournament I participated in.  It was Thursday, March 12 at Club Regent Poker Room.  Coronavirus had been part of our vernacular for about a week.  Throughout the night, I said to anyone who would listen, "I think this will be the last live Tournament at Regent, maybe forever, but, at least in 2020." No one thought that was credible information.  They told me the casino can never close and poker would always be available. Despite me pointing out that I had been a contributor in an online poker magazine, no one believed me. For some reason, gamblers and poker players always think that poker is a God-given right. However, I don't take any satisfaction in being right.  I miss poker.  I would also like to point out that I won that tournament so I am the reigning champion until the next tournament.  Still, I want poker to be back.  (Just in case, I have taken a picture of me wearing a tiara that I am happy to send to Regent, because I am sure they want to put it somewhere.)

However, back to the idiot that annoyed me all night.  Not just that night.  He annoys me every time I play.  I also think the casino has players that might annoy them.  

The Casinos will reopen next week.  No table games at this time.  I still don't think poker will be back in 2020.  I am quite ok with that.  I miss my one social opportunity, but I don't think it is safe for them to reopen.  I am very sad, however, that table games staff may not be recalled to work.  I had hoped these talented people would be redeployed to other jobs within the casino but with re-opening at only 30% capacity, it probably doesn't make economic sense.  

It looks like charity tournaments may open sometime in August.  Those that run charity tournaments have asked for feedback on how to re-open safely.  As I look at their facebook page, I note that most comments focus on what the people running poker have to do.  It reminds me of why poker likely won't be returning to the casino.  Players often think that they have a constitutional right to play poker and behave accordingly.  

No one is asking, but I am going to let players know what they need to do,  (Some of this is difficult to write because it really is common sense but not necessarily common practice.)

1.  If you wouldn't say it at a work environment, don't say it on the felt.  All operators of poker say that they don't tolerate swearing.  However, if someone loses a big hand, etc, they are allowed to say the f word or they are allowed to release another expletive.  They allow it because that person is frustrated.  Unfortunately, it makes it very hard for them to enforce excessive swearing.  A real slippery slope going the wrong way.  

2.  If you are not feeling well, stay home.  This goes for employees and players.  Hopefully, that is self-explanatory.  I have seen instances where it hasn't happened, hopefully, in the future that won't be an issue.  

3.  Show that you have self-respect by respecting others.  I have seen verbal altercations that involved race.  This is 2020.  Unacceptable.  I have been called a "f***ing bitch" more than once.  Like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, I am also someone's daughter.  Like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, when I have been called this, I have been shaken and rattled.  She couldn't believe it was said to her on the steps of Congress by a Congressman.  I can't believe it was said to me in a poker room.  I have come to realize that calling me that has nothing to do with me, but, it is said by a bully who has little respect for themselves.  However, I can't say that it hasn't rattled me.  It has.  Sometimes it hasn't been even attempted to be addressed by staff.  I get that.  They are busy, but I have been surprised that it has never been addressed by other players.  You actually increase self-respect by saying or doing something when you see something wrong.  If other players would call out unacceptable comments, poker would be a lot more safer.  

4.  When we go to our places of employment, we suspect that our workplaces will be respectful.  When you call a dealer "bad" or a "s****y dealer, they mostly laugh it off.  Imagine if you went to work and people constantly called your employer stupid over and over again.  I have been there.  Every time it happens, it makes your shoulders slump a little. It takes a toll.  All of sudden, you are focusing on the 10% of your work experience that is negative making it feel like it is 90%.  There is no need to be insulting to anyone.  

5.  I have read a lot of comments from players about what poker operators need to do for the players in order to for the players.  To paraphrase a phrase, ask not what poker can do for you, ask what you can do for poker.  In the future, players should bring their own personal masks and provide their own sanitizer.  And if you are comfortable sitting on a chair, bring your own seat protector, but make it one that can be easily cleaned and sanitized.  A cloth couch cushion should obviously not be an option.  

6. If you are seated at a table, stay at the table other than when going to washroom, etc.  If you need poker to be a spectator sport, check it out on tv.  Don't get up and be in a huddle in discussion.  There are many ways that pathogens travel.  Don't give them a free ride.  

7.  Understand that if poker comes back, there will be challenges.  How to handle line-ups to buy-in, get chips, etc.  Be patient, be understanding, and follow directions.  Likely, some things will be the edict of the licencing agent, and not something that the operators really want to enforce, but that is their duty.  I am ok with the possibility that my temperature be taken prior to playing poker.  I would never be ok with someone weighing me prior to playing poker.  If that were ever to happen, I would never choose to play poker again.  The point is that no one is forcing you to play.  If you don't want the reality of the new "normal", they chose not to play.  

8.  It is a new normal.  Even IF poker returns, there is likely going to be a lot of kinks to work out and regulations will change to accommodate this.  Be patient and understanding.  Don't be someone who potentially is ruining it for the responsible players.