We have a strict gaming regulation on how our ‘fills’ (table bank replenishments) are supposed to be brought in…it goes like this: The $100 bills are counted individually and laid face up on the table, (in a fan if there are more than one), all other denominations are to be counted face down, (in the same manner as the $100’s). Each denomination stack must be clearly seperated from the other. The Chip Runner puts ‘lammers’ on the table (the same amount as the cash) and we are supposed to pick up the bills and hand them to the Chip Runner. When we take in the fill, we are supposed to look at the racks, note that they are equal amounts, and count down one tube in stacks of five, fanning one of the stacks so it is obvious that it has five chips in the stack. We then hand the lammers and the empty racks back to the Chip Runner. This was a ‘must do’ from the day Bellagio opened or we could be written up and given the day off…and the Chip Runner must watch us count down the fill or they can be written up and given the day off too.
As I waited for a dealer I was pushing to finish the last hand, the dealer pulled a $100 out of the rack, the Chip Runner dropped a lammer on the table and the dealer handed the bill over his shoulder to the Chip Runner – WHILE THE HAND WAS IN PROGRESS! Granted, this dealer’s only been there about six months so…maybe the rules changed but I don’t believe so.
I passed the dealer in the employee’s area a few days later and mentioned to him that he could get written up for taking in a fill incorrectly. He politely informed me that he would take his chances.
Then I visited with a dealer last night that parks in valet. Wow! Guess he never heard of employee parking.
This is why we will never have a standardized rule in poker. Sure, you could be thinking ‘they are dealers, what does that have to do with standardized poker rules?’ Well, kids, it has everything to do with it. Everyone thinks they are above the law and the rule that applies to you doesn’t apply to them.
Maybe I’m just a little rule nit but if you’re employed by someone, what’s so tough about just doing what they ask you to do? I don’t know what the answer is…I don’t even know if there’s a question. I do know that people always seem to think that doing it their way is best.
*****
I started in a six handed $400-800 Razz game. Lots of action. Sam G. was walking around the upper section, looking for? My guess was someone to put him in a game but I’m only guessing.
Next on the list was $300-600 heads-up, mixed, three games. Chinese Poker- deuce in the middle, Chinese Poker – regular, and Omaha 8 or Better. Brian and Randy. Brian was giving me glare devils and trying to scramble the leftover cards himself…after exclaiming that Randy had won every hand since I sat down. Randy was visiting with a ‘sweater’, amiable and relaxed, and kept me entertained with tales of his life. It really wasn’t a bad way to spend a half hour. Sam G. drifted over and sat at the table for a bit too. Damn…it just don’t get any better than this.
Then two $80-160’s, the first one was the main game. M.E. was in the 8s. She’s always cranky, looks like the last friend she had left town, and is ready to zing the cards into your hands or across the table so you have to practically stand up to snag them for the muck. I just try to ignore her when I know she’s in my line-up…sometimes she just goes away. But not this time.
One hand went into a raising war, she was in the Blind and calling all of it. The Flop was 2-3-4. Bet, raises. The Turn a 6. She checked, one bet, two callers, she check-raised. The bettor called, one fold, Mike was last to act. He thought about it for a half a second and said, “Put up a 5, darling. It’s the only chance I’ve got,” as he threw out another $160.
Bingo! A 5 peeled off on the River. It went check, check to Mike, he bet, M.E. and the other player called. He turned up 10-6 or something awful but he was playing the board. M.E. showed A-5. The other player had J-J. As I split up the pot in three stacks, M.E. said something intelligent like, “You boys can tip her.”
Yup! It’s a good thing the boys take care of me because that $3 I made off of her last year really doesn’t go very far.
But then I got to deal to a Phil Helmuth wannabe. He was in the 2s in $4-8 H. He had the look of a kid that had to sleep in the street if he lost his buy-in. And he was agitated…How Bad Could These Suckers Play looked like it was on the race track behind his eyes and it was losing.
He got involved with 8-3 Clubs only to run into an Ace high flush. When the 8s raised the River and the 2s did an exasperated call, showing his cards by holding them in his hand, the 9s asked the 2s what his problem was. The 2s threw his cards down the table and walked when he saw the Ace high flush.
The 9s told me that he had played cards with the 2s the night before and all the 2s did was berate the players when they beat him. I asked if the dealer ever interjected. The 9s replied, “No!”
The 2s returned a few minutes later, looked at his cards, and threw them into the 6s’s hands. Wow!
I left the cards laying where they were, turned to the 2s, and said, “You need to set your cards down here!” as I motioned to the spot right in front of him.
He acted so nonchalant, as if card throwing was something they did on Sundays back home as a contest. He said, “They’re right over there.”
I interjected, “You need to set your cards down right here,” as I sent his cards to the muck.
He replied, “It was an accident,” yet the look on his face wasn’t one of a person that felt badly for their actions or behavior.
I said, “You threw your cards down the table when you left.”
He acted like it was the norm, “WELL…when that happens…”
I jumped right in, “It isn’t going to happen. You need to set your cards down right here,” once again I motioned to the spot in front of him.
He never said another word. He bought more chips. I was courteous. When I got pushed, I told the incoming dealer that the 2s had been warned about throwing cards.
When I left for the night, the 9s was at the Cashier’s Window, ready to leave the room. The conversation went to the 2s and apparently he still had plenty of lip left for the players that beat him after I left.
Honestly…I can’t believe a dealer wouldn’t just tell him to put a lid on it…in a nice way of course. And if he didn’t ease up, just call the Floor Person. Here I go…being a little nit again.