Dealer giving hints to players?
 

This past weekend I was playing at Canterbury, and one novice checked 2 pair on the flop in early position, and got checked around. He was eventually complaining about getting "rivered" by that elusive runner-runner flush.

Then after the hand, the dealer explained that it is much better to bet out and take the small pot, then to risk giving free cards.

So the question is: is it the dealer's position to give such advice? Low limit hold-em is tough enough to beat in a B&M, and I don't particularly like how it is getting made tougher.

Thanks.

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

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Low limit hold-em is tough enough to beat in a B&M, and I don't particularly like how it is getting made tougher.

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You should welcome that kind of advice at the table by the dealer at low limits... as long as it is not during the hand and is made in a generally friendly manner. All he is doing is trying to keep his "customers" around longer, if you are a good player he is doing you a favor.

Its not tough at all to beat... read SSHE and you will feel otherwise. Is it wrong, well thats up to the casino's management. Is it bad decorum - probably. Will it help you in the long run, by making the fish feel more at home - YES!

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

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Will it help you in the long run, by making the fish feel more at home - YES!
TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

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Excellent point. I had been uneasy about that myself, dealers discussing with players, but especially at low limits, theres a big possibility that they will forget or who knows what next time that situation comes around, however they will remember the comfort the tip gave and be relaxed and come back to donate more.

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

Totally out of line. Dealers like this need to learn to STFU.

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

here here !! agreed. From a dealer.

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

In a game where all the players are playing against the house, like blackjack, then yes help is nice. Such as confirming that they really want to hit a seventeen when the dealer shows a 6. But, in a game like poker where the players are against each other advice should be limited to procedural matters. Advice on strategy, such as when to bet to protect your hand, should not be given as there are 9 other players at the table who are not getting any help. In the long run it's not going to matter because 90% of players who get that type of advice will still play the same way.

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

I would agree that it is ridiculous. I think you just hit a weird dealer though - I have never seen it happen at Canterbury.

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

Personally, I don't care. It bad advice about as often as it's good advice. I mean, just because they're dealers doesn't mean they actually know how to win the game.

And I'll agree with the point about making the fish happy. It's much better to keep the fish happy in the long run, rather than steal one pot in the short run.

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

Hit your 17 against a dealer's 6? I'd be mad if I was a beginner getting that advice! "yeah, split those tens against a dealer ten. lol"

I also side with the fact that this is wrong - it may be good for you in this situation, but it's still wrong. Next time he could point out that my left arm twitches when I flop the nuts. I really want to play only against the other players, not the dealer, & although his comments here aren't going to break you, the fact that he's helping is still wrong IMHO.

Re: Dealer giving hints to players?
 

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I also side with the fact that this is wrong - it may be good for you in this situation, but it's still wrong. Next time he could point out that my left arm twitches when I flop the nuts. I really want to play only against the other players, not the dealer, & although his comments here aren't going to break you, the fact that he's helping is still wrong IMHO.

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Agreed. I'd be likely to make a comment designed to serve notice to the dealer to shut up, while not making the player uncomfortable. One of my favorites is, with a warm smile, "Are you giving free lessons to the whole table or just him?"

I can guarantee that shortly after I'd get up to get a cup of water and have a quiet chat with the floor on the way.

Regards,
Noal