I got into a $15-$30 holdem game last night in which Joe was in the 8s. He’s a great tipper, makes a bit of noise and is definitely his own fan club. I get a kick out of him in the game but he hates the rules and he gets away with a lot because he does tip.

I – on the other hand – stick with the rules. Sometimes I wonder why. When no one else does it, my job is so much more difficult.

Joe’s chips were in a rack. I smiled at him and asked, “Joe are you leaving soon?”

He – knowing what I meant – turned to the guy next to him and queried, “What did she say?”

The guy repeated my question. Joe said he knew what I asked and knew his chips weren’t supposed to be in the rack but I was the only dealer that it bothered. No other dealer, supposedly in hours, had a said a word. He did take them out of the rack.

The next few hands, Joe folded as soon as the 7s reached for chips, causing the player behind Joe to fold. I cautioned Joe on waiting until the 7s had completed his action before Joe released his hand.

Joe looked at me, “One more rule, Linda, and I’m out of here.”

I wanted to snort, “Do your talking walking, Buckwheat!” but instead I patiently explained, “If he intends to raise and two or more players fold behind him before his chips are out, he cannot raise.”

Two players agreed with me…yipppeeee! Joe apologized to the 7s but never looked at me. He got called for a table change and as he was leaving, I gave him my best smile and said, “Have a good night, Joe!”

After Joe left, the 10s was chuckling with me, “Wouldn’t it be funny if he moved right into your next game?”

I told him that was Murphy’s Law of Poker Dealing. If I have a problem with a player, I’m going to deal to them every night for the next week and some times two or three times in a night because they game shift. All in all, the down was fun and Joe wasn’t upset with me but he was serious about the ‘rule’ thing.

If everyone did their job, mine would be easier.