A productive rant at "some" live UK poker rooms!

[The Soldier]

Introduction
This rant was inspired by a visit to the 'Rainbow Casino' in Bristol. However, there are certainly other poker rooms guilty of the below. Having been around the block a little bit with respect to live poker, I feel that I'm qualified enough to make the suggestions below!

Productive Rant
1. Don't change cash for chips at the table
(a) The floor should act as a runner and the player should play behind (or not at all) whilst the runner gets the chips
(b) It wastes time
(c) It loses the casino money in raked games (the more hands you deal, the more money you make!)
(d) It annoys regs

2. If you must change cash for chips at the table, don't call the floor on a walkie talkie every time to double check
(a) Trust the dealer to do his job.
(b) The money you lose through human error will be less than the money you lose through wasted time
(c) See points (b) to (d) in question 1

3. Don't shuffle the cards before putting the cards into an automatic shuffler
(a) It's unnecessary
(b) See points (b) to (d) in question 1

4. Try and get the dealers to calculate the pot and hence the rake as the pot is being played
(a) It's not hard
(b) See points (b) to (d) in question 1

5. Don't waste time arranging the pot in a nice order during the hand, or at the end of the hand when it needs shipping
(a) Bulldoze is towards the winner
(b) See points (b) to (d) in question 1

End state
1. More profit
2. More tips
3. Happier customers

Summary
This is aimed more at the floor than the dealers and it's supposed to be constructive rather than a rant. There are many great poker rooms in the UK (including Bristol) that could be even better!

[Matt.NFFC.]

Have you tried speaking to the casinos via a customer feedback route?

What did they say?

[smurf]

number 3 made me laugh.

i must be in the minority...i thought poker was about enjoyment , socializing and banter with the added bonus of trying to turn a profit...your points seem to be aimed at getting through as many hands as possible in the shortest space of time.

like matt says though if it really bugs you speak to the casinos and get their thoughts on it. 

[The Soldier]

Have you tried speaking to the casinos via a customer feedback route?

What did they say?

I haven't done this. From my experience, rightly or wrongly, people don't like being told how to do their job by a rando, and there is no easy way of saying it face to face. It would require a real diplomat for it to be successful. Secondly, posting in a forum might help more than just the 1 casino.

number 3 made me laugh.

i must be in the minority...i thought poker was about enjoyment , socializing and banter with the added bonus of trying to turn a profit...your points seem to be aimed at getting through as many hands as possible in the shortest space of time.

like matt says though if it really bugs you speak to the casinos and get their thoughts on it. 

I'm glad it made you chuckle
What you say about enjoyment, socialising and banter is completely true. I'm not suggesting we change any of that. Everything else equal though, improvements in a poker rooms service is a win win situation for everyone.

[RED-DOG]

I've had a chat to cardroom staff orTD's about the way they do things loads of times. Sometimes they will look at changing something, sometimes they will explain why they can't or won't. No one has ever taken offence.

[mulhuzz]

Instead of telling CRM 'you should do X' as a random, you could try 'hey CRM, I had this idea, X -- what do you think, could it make sense?'

No need for diplomacy, just politeness

[The Soldier]

Sorry I've deleted this as it was a very cynical response. I apologise for that. If you have any issues with my post then that is fine, but I disagree

[RED-DOG]

"Hey Mr Pitboss, I have thought of a great idea. Instead of the dealer giving everyone chips at the table, you should run back and forth from the cash desk to improve the flow of the game. It will mean a lot more work for you but it will save everyone else a lot of hassle. Plus it will make the casino and dealers more money. What do you think?"

Something along this line? In all seriousness, I decided to post this in the forum to try and improve certain UK poker rooms. I know of many more casinos with similar issues. The only damage that this will cause is to peoples’ egos. Overall, the post’s intent is to add value.

If you disagree or have an issue with my post (I get the impression that some of you above do) then C'est la vie.

Just for the record, I don't disagree or have any issues with your post, and I don't think anyone else did either as far as I can see.

I thought we were just discussing the subject that you raised. Sorry if it came across otherwise.

[The Soldier]

I think a manager is more likely to listen to these ideas than a pitboss, as the pitboss will take on most of the extra work and the manager will get the reward. However, a pitboss could make a name for themself if they improve the efficiency of the card room - so it depends on how much extra work he/she is willing to do and how much of a thruster he/she is.

[relaedgc]

I wouldn't have thought that you'd find a Pit Boss responsible for a Poker Room in this day and age, most have their own dedicated Supervisor/Manager.

That being said, I would much prefer to be told "I think X is wrong." or "Why don't you do Y instead of X?" than reading about it on a forum. Your points are all valid, I just don't understand why you would come on to a poker forum and post it as opposed to taking it up with the people that can actually influence/change the procedures that you are not happy with?

PS. Well done RedDog. Wrong Luton poker room, but I forgive you. =]

[RED-DOG]

I wouldn't have thought that you'd find a Pit Boss responsible for a Poker Room in this day and age, most have their own dedicated Supervisor/Manager.

That being said, I would much prefer to be told "I think X is wrong." or "Why don't you do Y instead of X?" than reading about it on a forum. Your points are all valid, I just don't understand why you would come on to a poker forum and post it as opposed to taking it up with the people that can actually influence/change the procedures that you are not happy with?

PS. Well done RedDog. Wrong Luton poker room, but I forgive you. =]

Why thank you Mr R.

I'm told the other Luton cardroom now has closable doors to make it all quiet and cosy. 

I will be investigating soon.

[tikay]

I wouldn't have thought that you'd find a Pit Boss responsible for a Poker Room in this day and age, most have their own dedicated Supervisor/Manager.

That being said, I would much prefer to be told "I think X is wrong." or "Why don't you do Y instead of X?" than reading about it on a forum. Your points are all valid, I just don't understand why you would come on to a poker forum and post it as opposed to taking it up with the people that can actually influence/change the procedures that you are not happy with?

PS. Well done RedDog. Wrong Luton poker room, but I forgive you. =]

Why thank you Mr R.

I'm told the other Luton cardroom now has closable doors to make it all quiet and cosy. 

I will be investigating soon.

Add me to that.

See you soon, George.

[tikay]

I wouldn't have thought that you'd find a Pit Boss responsible for a Poker Room in this day and age, most have their own dedicated Supervisor/Manager.

That being said, I would much prefer to be told "I think X is wrong." or "Why don't you do Y instead of X?" than reading about it on a forum. Your points are all valid, I just don't understand why you would come on to a poker forum and post it as opposed to taking it up with the people that can actually influence/change the procedures that you are not happy with?

PS. Well done RedDog. Wrong Luton poker room, but I forgive you. =]

Have to say, agree with that 100%. All very odd, really. A polite approach to the Cardroom Manager HAS to be better than just posting it on a Forum. How is that going to ever solve anything?

Not having a pop at OP, not at all, I just don't really understand the logic.

[theprawnidentity]

If it's more hands per hour you're after:

[The Soldier]

At the risk of sending this post off on a massive tangent, I'll try to explain the logic in posting it on a forum, as opposed to speaking to every card room manager in the country that has the same issues.

Advantages

1. Efficiency - More than 1 card room could benefit from this. Card room managers and floor runners do read UK poker forums! Also, I can confirm that the message has already got to the right person:

Quick reply from cardroom manager
"He has some good points,cheers" (via pm)

2. Accountability - Decision makers will feel more obliged to change things if they are raised in a specialist forum that the public can see.

3. Best practice - Why not share it with the community? Encouraging it will make the poker economy a lot healthier in general.

Disadvantages

1. Offence/reputation - Some peoples' feelings might get hurt.
(a) I'm entitled to share my opinion
(b) Grow some thicker skin
(c) I'm not intending to cause any offence

It is my strong opinion that the Advantages > Disadvantages.

It appears like the 'group think' phenomena could be in action here. This forum is very negative about my post, where as the 'Bristol' thread in the 'Brick & Mortar' community on 2+2 has been very positive about it.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/200/regional-communities/bristol-uk-1147426/index5.html