A few random comments.....
A few random comments:
- Note that poker rules are modified on occasion and noted in a floormen's daily log (such modifications are signed off by a shift manager or higher up). It's not possible to constantly re-publish the rule book so it usually isn't completely up to date.
- I used to be strongly in favor of having rulebooks freely available. However Randy Refeld changed my mind somewhat (along with similar arguments made on this board in past years).
- Poker rules could be better written. It's possible to make available (perhaps at nominal cost) the complete set of rules and keep a bulletin board of key changes. I'm not sure it's a good idea though, given that nits will constantly be creating rule argument (negated somewhat if the rules are good and well written).
- Poker rulebooks often contain information that is essentially policy. Examples are policies regarding "must move" and policies regarding arguments over who gets a newly empty seat . Policies often change, don't impact the play of the hand, and should not be in a rulebook (they can be posted or written elsewhere).
- I do think that key rules should be posted on a wall chart or in one page (or notecard sized) handouts. This is especially applicable to newly popular games such as the smaller fixed buy-in NL holdem games. Two examples of rules that could or should be posted are "A bet or raise is not complete until it is released into the pot - wait for others to complete their action before acting on your hand" and "Players taking a table change must start with the normal buy-in". The table change buy-in rule seems obvious, but they are different all over LA and I've seen dealers advise/rule incorrectly almost every time I play.
- Some floormen don't understand key rules. Example: A few years ago I saw a top section floor (with about 30 years experience) rule incorrectly on whether or not a raise re-opened the betting in a 40/80 game. This rule isn't open to interpretation (some are); unfortunately I'm fairly sure he isn't the only floor that would fail to rule correctly in the more complicated situations regarding this important rule.
As an aside, I recently spoke with a shift manager in a large LA club. The club had adopted a policy/rule applicable to the smaller fixed buy in NL games. It is (more or less) "if a player facing a bet or raise exposes his hand face up his hand is declared dead". I think the rule has merit (since many newbies do think that an exposed hand is dead and give off tells to the player who exposed his cards). The main point I made (the shift manager was curious regarding my opinion) was that such a rule should be clearly posted, especially since other local clubs don't use it and it impacts the play of the hand and showdown. Note that this same club does not apply this rule to the PL game (populated by mostly experienced players).
~ Rick
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