Talking on the Phone While in a Hand

[4_2_it]

Was playing $2/$4 at the Luxor this weekend and got annoyed by a guy at the other end of the table who was on his cell for 15 minutes and 4 or 5 hands. I asked the dealer if this was against the "One Player, One Hand" rule and he said there was no prohibition on using cell phones at the table.

Of course the fish sitting next to me could not understand why I asked the question and I just laughed and said that he could be talking to Phil Ivey which wouldn't be fair to the table. She replied that it was no different than her and her boyfriend (who was across the table) giving each other signals during play. I told her that giving signals was probably not a good idea, but she just laughed. Of course both her and her boyfriend busted out so I guess they need a little work on their signalling. Gotta love the 2/4 player mentality!

Anyway, my question is, does the One Player, One Hand rule include cell phones? I know I could have called the floor, but it was a 2/4 game that I was winning and I wanted to keep the fish drunk and happy.

[Nathan183]

I don't know about the one player to a hand rule, but he definitely violated the "don't be a douchebag talking on your cellphone in public" rule.

It really depends on if the casino has a rule against cell phone use. I know most of them have a strict rule at table games like craps, BJ, etc, the poker rooms are a little more relaxed but i agree it still violates bad manners rule.

[Quicksilvre]

At the minimum, the player in question was a jackass.

[jba]

if he's not slowing down the game, why do you care? it's just 2/4 dude I doubt he's using a lifeline.

if he's slowing down the game cut his balls off.

[SossMan]

it's usually a rule in touneys. sometimes in cash games. it's because it slows the game down, not so much because of collusion.

[XXXNoahXXX]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know about the one player to a hand rule, but he definitely violated the "don't be a douchebag talking on your cellphone in public" rule.

[/ QUOTE ]

[youtalkfunny]

I'm dealing one night, and a player who is in a hand reaches into his pocket to get his ringing cell phone.

Another player instructs me, "Dealer, tell him he can't answer that while he's in a hand."

I said, "What if it's the police, telling him his kid was just taken to the hospital. Do you think for a moment that I'm going to tell him he can't answer his phone?"

I've received two phone calls in the poker room in my poker playing/dealing career. Both were from my wife. The first one came from the maternity ward, telling me that she had gone into labor. The second was from the parking lot outside our apartment, as the building burned to the ground.

If anyone had tried to stand between me and those telephone calls, I'd be sure to make them sorry that they did.

[Michael Davis]

I talk on my phone all the time at the table. It makes me feel good that it annoys some people. While I'm talking on my phone I am still the fastest player to act.

-Michael

[VoraciousReader]

At the casino I regularly play at (Ameristar in Kansas City), if you answer your phone at the poker table, your hand is dead. You are also expected to step away from the table and finish your call, and you will not be dealt in until you are seated again.

I like the rule. It keeps the game going and eliminates whatever small chance someone might use a phone to collude (not that it'd be worth anyone's time to try at the 3/6 stakes I play). Most regulars know the rule, but anytime anyone's phone rings, the dealer lets them know that if they choose to answer it, their hand will be mucked.