Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

I was playing 3/6 at the Trump Indiana last Friday (wonderful loose game, by the way) when the following occurred (for full disclosure, this was my first foray into casino poker):

An older man was sitting directly to my left; his wife was just to his left (on the other side of the dealer). Both bought in for about $50, which seemed quite short.

We were playing a kill pot, and I had raised AJs from middle position and gotten 4 callers (including the wife but not the husband). The flop was Ace-high and rainbow, and I raised an early-position bet from a LAG and still got 3 callers. After my turn bet, I saw the wife lean behind the dealer and mouth to her husband: "Does he have it?" He nodded, and she folded.

This didn't bother me too much until I thought about it later (although I was a lot more careful about how I peeked at my cards just in case). I didn't bother saying anything at the time because both players seemed quite weak; however it later became apparent that the wife almost always called down with any piece of the board or any pocket pair, especially in big pots, so this may or may not have cost me 2 BB (calls for my turn bet and river bet).

Should I have done anything here? Should I have been more willing to let it go to keep them happy and at the table because they seemed beatable? At the very least they were discussing the hand; at the worst he'd seen my holecards. Because I'm a B&M newbie I don't know how to handle this.

Any thoughts?

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

First off you make DAMN SURE that no one sees your hole cards.

Like real estate's first three rules, the first three rules of casino poker are...

protect your hand!
protect your hand!
protect your hand!

Second, it's ONE PLAYER TO A HAND. If this is a common occurrence between an obvious couple then you should say something to the dealer, who should then immediately put a stop to it.

al

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

I wouldn't let that slide. I would say "hey one player to a hand". If it continues call the floor.

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

no way I let this slide.

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

I would let it slide. If they are total Muppets, I would let it slide and not give it a second thought. YMMV.



Best of Luck

Howard

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

If they're donating to your stack, then I'd let it slide...don't want to make them mad or make them leave. It may have cost you 2BB on that one hand, but calling them out and risking making them leave is probably worse. This happens at my casino when some people talk in Spanish but it's obvious they're drunk or bad players....I let it slide so they'll stay. Protect your hand.

ScottieK

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

lean over and quietly say to him, "please don't look at my hand again. I just got out of prison and I really don't want to go back." [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

Thanks for your thoughts.

For the rest of the session I protected my cards so darn well that I could barely see them.

They were indeed Muppets, although the wife was out for my blood because I raised her blind a couple times. A few hands later she practically threw her rockets at me after smooth-calling a raise from the small blind with four limpers and check-calling all the way against my TPMK. He seemed like a much better player, but was a bit weak-tight.

I'll be back there, and since they seemed like regulars I'll keep my eyes and ears open and say something if it happens again.

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

[ QUOTE ]
lean over and quietly say to him, "please don't look at my hand again. I just got out of prison and I really don't want to go back." [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

That's good -- but I think I would have given the poor guy a heart attack! I definitely came across as the intense younger guy (younger for the table, that is), but that was mostly because I was mildly terrified for the first hour or two of my first casino game. I think I accidentally intimidated him into a seat change as it is.

Re: Table talk / collusion -- let it slide?
 

Hi Ox,

[ QUOTE ]
After my turn bet, I saw the wife lean behind the dealer and mouth to her husband: "Does he have it?" He nodded, and she folded.

[/ QUOTE ] Is it possible that she merely consulted with him for an opinion if you had an ace, or are you positive that he saw your holecards?