Abuse at the table

[easypickings]

Just wanted to ask people's advice/reaction to a incident that happened this weekend at the Main Event in Bolton. It's not something I've ever seen before, but I was dealt a torrent of abuse during a hand I was playing by a young lad on my left. I don;t ever mind a bit of banter, but this was a string of insults that he threw at me during a hand that he was not playing.

The whole thing was started off by me trying to raise to 550 before the flop.

 Him: "Why do you have to make it 550?"
Me: "Because that's what I want to raise,"
Him: "Can;t you make it simple and make it six,"
Me:"No thanks, I want to make it 550"
Him: "Well, you must be a queer then"

And so the abuse went on throughout the hand, including a threat of seeing me outside.

I was sure that this kind of thing would have no chance of affecting my poker, but felt pretty upset at something I had never experienced before as part of the poker scene. Anyone there will have heard me scream "floor please," and I made my complaint to the manager. Unfortunately, the orginisation at Bolton this weekend was awful, and the management staff scared to have to take control of a situation. To make matters worse, the guy's best mate and father were seated directly to my left, and started attacking me in defence of him. The manager later explained that he knew this guy as a local player, and this was part of his game, saying this as if it was acceptable.

Have other people come across this kind of thing as "part of someone's game?" Should I have taken this situation further than I did?

I think we're skating on thin ice if a management team is aware of this kind of thing, but unwilling to do anything about it. Tony G's type of banter is one thing, but this was far worse, very personal and very insulting.

Thanks guys

[M3boy]

I hear that, I will use the "banter" if I feel I can affect someone's game. I will also keep doing something if I think it is annoying them.

Your current mindset makes a HUGE difference while playing poker - see http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=14239.0

But that sounds a little below the belt to me

[MrMoves]

Never return Stuart.  His last remark is out of order and he should be banned.

Northern card rooms are not for the faint of heart. 

[Claw75]

Not on in my book - it's one thing if the guy is a mate and it's a bit of light-hearted ribbing, but to a stranger such comments shouldn't be tolerated.  If you hear anything like that again, you should respond by saying something like "actually, yes I am a homosexual - have you got a problem with that?".  If he had a decent bone in his body would probably make him very uncomfortable.

[Graham C]

I think it's out of order and would be disappointed if the cardroom manager just shrugged it off as 'he's a local' type comment but I'm not sure what else you can do apart from avoid it.  The good thing about posting about it is that it does make people aware of what can happen.

I'm not too sure saying something like yes I am a homosexual will help, it could well make matters worse if the people are genuinely considering 'having words outside' after.

I'm in the camp (no pun intended) that would either proberly just sit quietly and try and ignore it.

[londonpokergirl]

If I had been running it would have given penalties

Light banter is good for the game when it gets heavy then its not on   

[ACE2M]

Not on. Disappointing that the supervisor was weak on the matter.

Making racist, homophobic insults towards a player you don't know and not in a lighthearted manner should definately be punished.

[thediceman]

After his homophobic comment I would have leant over the table and planted a him with a big kiss and then said "Do you still want me in the car park".

Seriously I have a big problem with any homophobic people as my brother is gay and am aware of the kind of crap gay people have to put up with on a daily basis. I would have probably taken this guy up on his offer and been the first out to the car park.

[bolt pp]

After his homophobic comment I would have leant over the table and planted a him with a big kiss and then said "Do you still want me in the car park".

 

[Dale]

Him: "Well, you must be a queer then"

too far!

banter/rubdowns etc. is fine in my book but making personal comments like that is just asking to be kicked in the teeth.

[londonpokergirl]

After his homophobic comment I would have leant over the table and planted a him with a big kiss and then said "Do you still want me in the car park".

Seriously I have a big problem with any homophobic people as my brother is gay and am aware of the kind of crap gay people have to put up with on a daily basis. I would have probably taken this guy up on his offer and been the first out to the car park.

great comeback

[thetank]

Queer means peculiar and you made a peculiar sized bet.

Are you sure he called you "a queer", and not just "queer".

[The_nun]

Are you sure you are Scottish and not just A Scott?

[thetank]

I'm no longer sure you're a real Nun at all Maureen.

[The_nun]

 

 


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