A change in the rules of tournament poker

[Alan Mendelson]

The Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles has changed one of its rules for tournament poker.

At most casinos players at the table need to be in their seats by the time the second card is dealt to the button. But "the Bike" changed that rule.

Now, tournament players must be in their seats when the first card reaches their seat.

There is a good reason why they made this change -- to stop cheaters.

As it was explained to me, players would stand by the table to catch a glimpse of the first card being dealt to players. They could see the first card by standing a few feet back from the table. Then using this knowledge of at least one hole card -- and sometimes two hole cards -- they would have knowledge for pre-flop betting.

To stop this cheating the Bike started a rule that you must be in your seat for the first card. And no more standing at your seat.

I think it's a pretty good rule and I wonder if other casinos have this rule or if it might spread to other casinos?

[quahaug]

Sch-C Rob. Enlighten us Rob. Sch-C Rob.

[Dan Druff]

I think this rule is dumb, but the Bike felt they had to because a lot of their clientele are low-class scumbags.

You can easily thwart this "cheating" tactic by clamping down on players who do this, as it would be relatively easy to catch. There could even be a rule that you need to stand X number of feet from the table if you are standing in one place during the hand.

I have never seen anyone pull this trick at tournaments like the WSOP. In fact, the players would catch it quickly and wouldn't tolerate it.

[Alan Mendelson]

I wouldnt argue with the characterization of "low class scumbags." LOL