The Cardinal Sins of Poker Dealing

The Cardinal Sins of Poker Dealing

Poker dealing is an art. Look at ‘Casino Royale’, ‘Run’ or some of the other iconic movies that revolve around poker. Dealers are highly respected for their art and if you notice, Bond actually tips the dealer a million dollars once he wins the game! Dealers rake in high profits. Naturally, the profits should justify their competence at their job. Every dealer also needs to have an individual dealing style. Poker dealers take tremendous pride in the way they deal the cards and there are certain cardinal rules when it comes to dealing. If you are joining the brigade of poker dealers, be sure to avoid these fundamental mistakes.

Face up cards

This is probably one of the biggest blunders when it comes to poker dealing. The rule of dealing is to deal the cards face down. No player must be able to see the card when it is being dealt. An offshoot of this mistake is to deal cards in a way that players can see one or more cards.

Dealing too many or too little cards

Every poker player should be dealt an equal number of cards. Dealing in excess or short of the recommended number is an error.

Dealing to the wrong poker player

The first card needs to be dealt to the correct player. Depending on which player’s turn it is to be dealt first, you need to deal to that person. Similarly, if you fail to deal to a player who is supposed to be dealt the cards, it is an error.

Incorrect button placement

Dealing when the button has not been placed correctly is another cardinal mistake you want to avoid. It can be a big blow to your reputation as a poker dealer if you deal when the button is not placed properly.

Vacant seat dealing

If a player is not in their seat and you deal cards to that person, it is an error. You are supposed to deal the cards only when the player is physically present in their seat.

Not announcing actions

A poker dealer’s job does not only end with dealing cards correctly but also making announcements. If it is a particular player’s turn or if a player is calling another player or incase of any such action, the dealer needs to announce it. Another important announcement you should make is the number of poker players playing in a particular hand.

Premature actions

Sometimes, dealers make the mistake of acting before another person has contemplated betting or just as an opponent has checked. Dealers need to wait until they are sure the player has taken a decision on betting.

Revealing burnt cards

In poker, certain cards remain unused or burnt by players. As a poker dealer, you must never reveal these burnt cards. You should place these cards face down right next to the pile of discarded cards. Placing the burnt card face down prevents any instance of cheating from other players, just incase they have noted the card markings. In this way, poker players cannot use this information to their advantage later on.