I don't often (In fact, I haven't ever) used this blog to sound off about events. However the events at the poker game last night warrant a first time. Of course, as this is my blog, was follows is a completely biased opinion based on my own experience.
The setting: I don't honestly remember the last time the blonds rules have changed. We used to debate every week about how the blinds should go up and how often. After fielding complaints of games running too long/short (which is completely decided by the blinds schedule), we settled upon every 20 minutes: 1-2,2-4,3-6, 4-8, 5-10, 10-20, 15-30, etc. This is the way we've played all summer. This is the way we play well before summer.
The cause: People in general are complacent. As long as someone's telling them what's going on, they don't worry about how the person knows or is deciding. THey say the blinds go up, they go up. They say we have five minutes, the next hand, whatever, that's fine. Traditionally, that person is not me. I'm usually not paying enough attention to make sure the blinds go up on time. Also, I'm often out early which means I stop paying attention altogether. Perhaps this has resulted in whomever is doing the blinds to do them incorrectly or in a lax manner.
The incident: The blinds were due to go up at 10:45. Yes, that time is right: 10:45. When did we start the game? 8. The football game was on so I was watching that as I shuffled the cards. How often does Brian or I forget to or gets involved in a hand and doesn't get a chance to shuffle? Often. Before I dealt, I looked up at the clock and noticed it was 8:48 (I'm estimating being that it's analog). So, I say "blinds go up." The rule I was following is that a hand starts officially when the first card is dealt (see below for official rules). Since the people in the blinds were unhappy that I didn't realize the blinds were suppose to have gone up (mind you, there wasn't a debate about whether 8:45 was the correct time for them to go up), discussions began about delaying the game, being informed of the blinds echedule, me making decisions about the game, my integrity as a poker player, my integrity as the time keeper, my integrity as a dealer.
The deal: The deal is twofold. First, Perhaps it's because the game is at my apartment. Perhaps it's because I watched more poker on TV than anyone else. I don't know. But in the year we've been having this game, all major decisions regarding winning hands, rules, and game structure have gone to me. This has occured with both tables I've been at and, during 2 table games, tables I'm not at who call me over to settle a dispute. In addition, I have been dealing. I say at the beginning of many games that I don't need to deal. I feel that it's quicker for a single person (per deck) to deal. IN the past when I've offered this job to deal for the game, people tell me to just do it.
Second, This incident occured at 10:45 meaning blinds had been going up for almost 3 hours. During which time there were several delays due to football in addition to the blinds going up almost 9 times. IN any of this time, however, there were
0 (zero) complaints about the delays affecting the blinds (people complained about it being anmnoying in general, but not with concern over when the blinds went up). And
0 (zero) questions about when the blinds went up. IN fact, when we went from 5-10 to 15-30, I reexplained the blinds schedule. I was made aware that sometimes when I'm not at the table, the blinds go up incorrectly. In other words, at any point in the game someone could have A. looked at the clock when the blinds went up, added 20 minutes, and known when they went up again. B. ASKED!
Then, on top of all this, it was suggested that the possibility existed that I could be waiting for opportune moments to raise the blinds. This was possibly the worst of all.
Summary: People get upset when things affect them. Otherwise, they're unconcerned about certain rules. If there was a concern about me being timekeeper or dealer or a lack of trust in my ability to be fair and honest, it should have been addressed in the beginning of the tournament, not the end.
Official Rules: The following is a link to several rule books. I will keep this link on hand in the future to settle any disputes. http://www.homepokertourney.com/rules_poker.htm
The official rules from the World Series of Poker: A new deal starts at the first shuffle of cards following a hand. I was mistaken. HOWEVER, being that both the last hand ended and I started shuffling at 10:45, the outcome would have been the same using either rules. I base every decision I make on the rules as I know them. I invite the group the decide on someone else to be in charge of knowing and enforcing tournament rules. All I will dictate is that there needs to be ONE person who is well-versed in all tournament rules (within reason) and that person be the final decision in all matters. I am happy to continue doing it but only with the support of the rest of the game's members.
