Dealers are People, Too

My second World Series event went almost the same as the first one did – actually, it went better. When I busted out this time, it was for the same reason – I played way too tight. The difference, though, was that I was done and could sit back and relax.

My overall impression of the players was basically good. Everyone was very nice. I was surprised that there were so few women, as we have been known to be aggressive and strong. I do believe there will be more in the future. At least, I hope so.

Almost every man I sat next to or near went out of his way to be kind and pleasant. Most of them didn't know who I am or what my relationship to poker is. When they found out, they shook my hand and wished me luck. Some of them gave me some pointers, and all of them were impressed that I would even show up to play in the Series with so little experience. They all thought it was funny that I had gotten only as far as the before-the-flop moves in my hold'em studies. I told them I would be back next year and would at least be up to the chapter on the river.

During my playing days at The Orleans and the Horseshoe – all four of them – I came in contact with many dealers. I had heard many stories about dealers – some true, some exaggerated, and some fabricated. After cutting through it all, I came to see and judge for myself. Here are my takes:

I found most of the women dealers to be nicer and more patient than the men. Obviously, that was not true with all of them. My thanks go to Virginia at the Horseshoe, who made me feel less awkward, and who came up to me before and after the tournaments to chitchat. What a gem she is. And as I said in a previous column, Amanda and Glenda at The Orleans were also wonderful.

Some of the men dealers have ego problems. Let's see how fast we can deal and maybe one or two cards will end up in front of the right person. As a beginner, I was a little scared to start taking cards from the person next to me, and sometimes I wasn't even sure which were mine.

Some of the dealers were in their own world. When there was a problem at the table, they seemed surprised and were not happy to see a floorman called.

The World Series of Poker is the granddaddy of them all. There is more pressure on the dealers to be at their best, fastest, and most alert. And they really were. I give them an enormous amount of credit for doing a very difficult job with the grace and poise that they had. Yes, it's their job, but in life, sometimes that doesn't mean a thing.

I saw some things that I thought were terrible. Why would anyone throw their cards at the dealer? Why would someone yell at the dealer because he did not get his card on the river, or slam his fist on the table and walk away in a huff? Dealers do not know what cards are coming. They do not have X-ray vision or prior notice of which cards are coming. If they did, they would be in the game themselves.

Most dealers are polite and do not yell at the players. Why do some players think that these people are hard of hearing or can hear only screaming? They all seemed to hear fine when I talked.

No dealer ever threw a card at anyone, so why would a player throw his cards at the dealer? If it's to check a dealer's reflexes, that's not the right time. That should be done at some other time in private, or best of all, not at all.

No dealer ever swore at me, and no dealer ever gave me a dirty look or complained to me.

When our son Michael was 3, he informed me that girls could not be doctors. I was the wrong person to say that to. For one week, I made him walk around the house saying, "Girls can do anything boys can do, and better, too." Well, to all of you rude players, here's a clue for you: "Dealers are people, too, and they deal better than you or I can." If you think you can do it better, give it a try. Hopefully, you will get a table full of people just like you, and then you'll see how much you like being a human target.

To the polite people out there, keep up the good work. Poker needs more people like you.