This is the only social interaction a lot of these people have available to them. They've already stopped getting the calls to hang out YEARS ago, whether they're *******s or just sadly awkward. I'm glad we can be there for these people. Remember, they need us

I love the guy that asks how much when he has nowhere near that amount left in front of him. I never realized how clueless it was possible to be until I started working in this industry.

Once had a player who was facing a bet that clearly had him covered by at least 7x. He wanted a count.

I pointed to the chips in his hand and said, "That much."

I guess his short stack had him feeling impotent and embarrassed, because he decided to wield what little power he still had: to snap his fingers and bark orders at the dealer. "I need a count," he said, and sat back in his chair, arms folded, to await the results of this endeavor.

I was having none of it. "Ok," I offered, "hand me your chips, and I'll count them for you."

(To be clear: there was no tactical reason to ask, no other players involved in the hand, and this guy was a Known Jerk.)

Good story ytf

"He has you covered" or "more than you" would work for me here. I've said both of those things but I was not dealing with a jerk, I was being a little glib for expediency and a little humor, maybe. Usually worked since I don't recall offending anyone and usually go a chuckle or two.

I tried both of those first, of course.

In that situation it's a lead pipe cinch that at least 3 other players will respond "more than you" "he has you covered" before I can get a word in.

Though I too have used "that much" in the past. It's usually good for a chuckle.

One of the floors I worked with once told me of people who come into the room .... If they ask 3 questions they aren't going to play. I find this fairly accurate

This may honestly be my favorite YTF story

Usually we assume that person is a secret shopper. I don't know if you guys have that where you work.

When/if I grow up I want to be like you.

I like to ask this to be silly as a joke when applicable (Obvious by my tone and demeanor)
Sometimes Ill add on something to the effect of "I just want to know how much I get back If i call in win...I think I have him covered by a little"
Also- If the dealer then explains to serious that he has more 'I don't thin so...are you sure....that can't be right(skeptical tone)"
Good for a small chuckle
Great for a frustration

Please stop. It's not funny.

The story you are about to read is true. The names have been changed, to protect the incompetent.

O/8, featuring one of the regs who has an uncanny, unmatched ability to slow down the action. He plays every hand, gets involved in every conversation, and has no interest in keeping the card game moving, forcing me to ALWAYS need to prompt him.

Someone who knows him says his full name, "Joe Johnson." Another players asks, "Your last name is Johnson? Like Lyndon Johnson?"

"Calvin Johnson!", suggest another player, trying to name a famous Johnson.

"Dwayne Johnson!", chimes in another.

Action is now on Mr Johnson, but he doesn't care, he'd rather play the Famous Johnsons game. "Van Johnson!", he blurts, showing his age.

I show him my palm, to indicate the game has stopped on him again, and people behind him are acting out of turn again. "'TIME' Johnson!", I blurt, showing my annoyance.

Those stick out like a sore thumb. They don't exactly attract award winning actors for that job.

Ex-dealer is hanging out in the room playing some LLHE and is now placing an order with the Server.

"And can I get a sugar-free Rockstar?"

"You want that in the can?"

"...nah I'll take it right here."

O/8 PLAYER: In the game of life, women are the rake! (Beaming, like he thinks we haven't heard that one)

YTF: In the life of a poker dealer, O/8 is the rake!

I thought the last line was going to be:

...nah I'll use my mouth.

Folds to player 1

Player 1: Who's it on?

Dealer who might be YTF: Always the one who asks

Nope, wasn't me.

***

Lots of talk recently about record lottery jackpots, of course. Everyone waits their turn to talk about their plans after they win, the syndicates they've tossed money into, etc.

When it's my turn, I throw 'em a curveball: "I don't want to win that kind of money." The smiles fall off their faces, and they're baffled by that thought. I explain, "How many stories have you heard about people saying they wish they'd never won? That the money has torn apart their families, they've lost all their friends? I'm serious, I wouldn't want to be in that spot, not for all the money in the world."

Now silly me, expecting folks to consider this opinion. It was dismissed as ludicrous summarily, no consideration given.

I say "silly me", because I forgot that I work in a poker room. I'm pitching this idea to poker players, and poker dealers (most of whom started out as poker players). So far, every single one of them, considers the idea of abandoning their families and "friends" as a feature, not a bug. They would gladly, in a HEARTBEAT, sell out everyone they know for a measley 7-figure payout, let alone the 9-figures currently up for grabs.

This feedback to my notion is still 100%, I get the exact same reaction every time. The only slight variance are the folks who say they've already considered that, and their plan is to "disappear", so those pesky Acquaintances Who Call Themselves Loved Ones will not be able to rain on the parade.

"So wait," I ask. "If I *win*, I have to go into hiding??? And that's if I *WIN*??? That sounds awful! If that's 'winning', I DON'T WANT TO WIN!"

They shake their heads, as if *I'm* the one deserving of pity here.

I'm not a regular lottery participant but I've had the same kind of thoughts. The story from the east coast where the winner's granddaughter OD'd on drugs six years after the windfall should give you some pause. I'd be worried about someone snatching up my kids for ransom as well. Their ability to grow up 'normal' would be long gone.

It's been well known that Warren Buffet is not 'giving' his estate to his family. They have to build their wealth 'on their own' just like he did. Obviously they might get a chance at a few more opportunities, but it wont flow in the traditional sense.

You could probably somewhat hide behind a trust initially, but there would be an obvious change in lifestyle and attitude.

Long ago I indicated that if I won more than 25 Million that I would sit down and make out a list of the 100 most influential people to date in my life and give them all the federal max gift ($14K right now?) ... maybe even make a TV/book/YouTube event out of each person.

There was also that guy that had a newspaper column and you could write him requesting money and he would decide yea or nay via the column. That might be something to take up some free time.

Our state has it's own 'pick 6' drawing and the jackpot rarely gets above 10 million ... That's more like it ... Not super rich, but enough to have zero debt and some choices along the way. GL

YTF....

In the event you should accidentally come into an amount of money that you feel would change your life in a negative manner, I am willing to take it off your hands so that you do not have to be burdened by it.

And I promise I will not allow it to change our current relationship.

That doesn't happen any more, not in the USA. The crooks get caught 100% of the time when they try to pick up the money. I read that decades ago.

Ok, new dealer problem. I'm not pitching correctly yet. Yes, I know I need to pitch correctly and I am almost there. But right now I am flipping too many cards so I am dealing with wrist action instead of finger flick. I deal for a week at the end of September and was fine...then three weeks off, now at my second event, and after two days, severe wrist pain.

If I hold my right wrist with my left hand, and make / release a fist, I can feel the tendons "catching" on each other. I want to say grinding but that is too strong a word. (If I do the same thing with the opposite wrist I feel nothing at all like this.)

So....yes, I need to pitch correctly, but what other advice do you have that might help me (1)understand this and (2) deal for the next four days if at all possible.

Ice, ibuprofen, and salon pas.....

I don't have a quick fix for your next 4 days. But I think I have an exercise you can use to practice.

Let one of those large rubber bands, or tie a loop with string. It should be large enough that it can go over both wrists awhile you hold them at your ideal distance for pitching without putting pressure on it.

Now practice pitching not allowing yourself to stretch the band. By keeping your wrists at the same distance at all times it should be harder to use the wrist to pitch and should force you to use the fingers.

Keep practicing this way and it should become natural to hold your wrists this way without the band.