Like the title states, is it ok for a player to request the dealer to spread the pot in order to figure out how much is in there?

And, if that is ok, can the player ask the dealer to count the pot?

Thanks in advance.

Depends on the room. I believe that most support spreading the pot, but most don't allow an actual count.

Typically, a player can ask the dealer to spread the pot but the dealer will not count the pot for you.

The one exception is if the game is a "Pot Limit" game. Then the dealer will tell the player how much is in the pot and and what the maximum allowed bet is.

Rule varies in most places.

Honestly, if I'm asked to spread the pot, I spread it. Why? Because spreading the pot is much faster than the inevitable ensuing argument every time as to why I'm not allowed to spread the pot.

Awesome all, thanks for the responses

If you think knowing the pot size is important you should keep track of the bets as they go in.

Then you will know and you won't bring it to everyone elses attention by asking the dealer to spread it.

If you're not supposed to spread the pot, you shouldn't spread the pot, regardless of which option is faster.

True enough, but if you lose count, there's nothing wrong with asking the dealer to spread the pot.

Yes to spread no to counting

This. When the room policy is to not spread the pot, spreading it to make people like you or so you don't have to explain makes the job harder on other dealers.

"Why won't you spread the pot? The last dealer did it."

Our policy it to not spread the pot, because dealers should not be touching the pot if not absolutely necessary.

It's like enforcing any unpopular rule, the dealers that won't enforce those rules make the job harder on all dealers and erode game integrity.

I spread it because that is my room rule.... But its a terrible rule.


If you spread it even though you know you not allowed to do so just to avoid the waste of time an argument brings I assume you ignore all the other rules also.

It's always ok to ask.

Dealer should follow House policy.

It is not ok to get mad at the dealer for following House policy.

I agree, terrible rule.

Unfortunately spreading the pot seems to be the trend.

This is exactly what pisses me off about this spreading the pot crap.

Spread the pot.

A little more.

A little more.

Spread it out so that each individual chip can be seen separately.

Now sort the chips.

Go ahead and stack it.

For that matter, just ignore the damn rules and tell me how much is in there, because I'm too damn lazy to count.

Where does it end?

I am a big supporter of a "dealer cannot spread the pot" rule. The pot should be stacked or piled in a manner consistent with the game. Such guidelines are outlined in the poker dealer's handbook. Asking the dealer to manipulate the pot so as it can be easily counted is bullcrap, because it opens up a grey area that will be manipulated to the point as to avoid the rule of "the dealer cannot tell players how much money is in the pot, except in pot limit games."

A standard rule is:

Pot Size
Players are entitled to be informed of the pot size in pot-limit games only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit games.

Some rooms allow for the pot to be spread, some do not.

Also, in my local rooms if you are in a tourney, there is no pot spreading or dealer counting. Tourney rules may be different than cash for OP?

Playing at TI one night a player in the 5 seat says "spread the pot, please". Dealer replies "I can't". Player immediately reaches out and does it himself. Dealer suggests the player shouldn't be putting his hands into the pot. A few hands later, same player reaches out and spreads the pot without asking. Dealer tells him to knock it off. A few hands later, the player spreads the pot again. The dealer looked like he was somewhat torn between wanting to cry, and wanting to punch this guy.

I stop him and call the floor the first time he does it.

Weak dealer to let it happen three times.

I can't believe the players weren't screaming at the guy and calling the floor.

Holy cow, whether on the floor or in the box, this moron would

a) be lucky to still have a hand left after the FIRST attempt at touching the pot during a hand

and,

b) would be lucky if he wasn't kicked out immediately. certainly after the first warning the second would be escorted out the door by security

Seriously, this kind of crap is what pisses me off to the point of near tilt. Why on earth would a dealer allow this to happen EVER, let alone three times, without calling the floor? The incompetence is so staggeringly overwhelming it just makes me want to go postal on the entire casino poker management world, because it's THEIR FAULT that this extreme incompetence is more the rule now than anything else. It's just not acceptable, period. Her allowing this a-hole to get away with this crap just sets a horrible precedent and lets this jerk spread douchebaggery and stupidity further and wider than ever before.

Really, I've about lost my patience with these jerks. I suggest when this happens at my table, whether I'm a player or dealer or even the floor, that whoever is around covers up the children's ears and puts their hands over their eyes, because it's not going to be pretty.

Looks like everyone took me seriously. Whoops.

In truth, I honestly can't remember the last time someone asked me to spread the pot. Is this something that comes up often for you guys?

There is a room in south florida mikosukee indian casino, where they stack and sor t the pot out in hundred stacks, every single pot, it takes long and gives bad players and opportunity to see a good estimate of whats in there.

All the times that I have had a player reach into the pot ..... I have never heard another player complain.

I usually tell them that "Nevada law authorizes me to shoot them if they do that.... but room policy isn't to shoot until the second time"

Its seems to come in waves. I'll go months with nobody asking and then for a week I'll hear it every day.

OT- I've always been curious why dealers cannot tell players how much is in the pot in all other games but pot limit.

I mean, I understand that much of the time players do not know what is in the pot in PL games (it always amuses me a little how players will say, 'I bet pot' and then look at me all wide-eyed waiting for me to tell them how much they just bet) but, shouldn't that be to their disadvantage?

Or, if PLO and PLHE players get to have the dealers calculate the pot for them, why not do the same for the other betting structures?

And along those lines, why can't dealers help you size your bets in no limit? Like in fixed limit, where they give you the exact amount. Why not?