harry demetriou goes off on a dealer!!!!!

[cdddc75 0]

The Dealers need to be given some slack here.  Those dealers are dealing thousands and thousands of hands every day.  They're not robots.  Most of them make very few mistakes and they should not be berated.  they've got a tough job and probably don't get paid enough.  Also, Harry was probably in the 1 or 10 seat position which can be tricky when protecting your cards.   maybe he should have done a better job protecting his cards.  Now if he was in any other seat position, the dealer was probably out of line.

The dealer is out of line regardless of seat position.

[Allie 0]

Shouldn't be part of the game at the WSOP.  Should have the best dealers available working....no newbies....this went beyond dealer mistake - no dealer should be reaching to take the cards from a player.

While I totally agree that one the second day of an event these mistakes should not happen... do you all have any idea how many dealers are actually required for the WSOP events?? I have no clue myself, but there are obviously about a few hundred of the "best dealers," for any given event. Considering that multiple events are going on simultaneously (second day of some events + first day of another), and other cash games and satellites are also going on all over Vegas at the same time, you have to figure that a few of the WSOP dealers aren't going to be perfect.Everybody makes mistakes. I don't blame Harry, cauz he's a good guy, but at the same time, I think there's a limit to how upset you can get over this. I mean, there was no harm here.

But there could have been harm...it could have affected the outcome of a hand in a tournament worth over 600k to win (2.5 million prize pool). I agree that it takes a tremendous amount of dealers to keep this thing running, but dealers at other casinos and events are irrelevent...the tournament organizers for the WSOP hire and provide for their event and would endeavor, I assume, to hire experienced dealers. This is the Superbowl of poker, and their staff should be top notch. Having said that, I understand people make mistakes....but I was responding to someone who had said "that's just part of poker", and I just felt that that statement was downplaying the situation too much. Not saying the dealer should be stoned in the town square LOL....but I don't blame Harry, or anyone else for that matter, for being totally pissed.

[vaglvr 0]

Any mistake that takes control out of the player's hands is terribly unfortunate, and considering the odds he had every right to be angry. I've noticed lately that while playing in casinos, formalities such as a chip on a card are often not forced by dealers. With the massive influx of internet players I'm surprised at the strictness of the dealer. Leave the action to the player and leave any unnecessary rules at the door.

[Meatwad 0]

When he's playing for a shot at a bracelet and hundreds of thousands of dollars I'll be willing to forgive an indiscretion. It's not like he tossed chips at the dealer or made threats(hopefully). He has his work cutout for him at the final table with Violette, Seidel, Perry Friedman, and some pretty large stacks so I wish him luck.

[HarryDemetriou 0]

Yes I did go off at the dealer (who is very poor in my opinion and should not be dealing as she did this same thing to another player previously).However the reason I got annoyed is that she tried to muck my hand saying that I pushed the cards towards her which was a blatant lie......and NO she DID NOT APOLOGISE preferring to try and blame me.I also went off at another player because he was being obnoxious calling a clock on me after I took around 20 seconds to consider an all in reraise from Friedman becasue someone else called a clock on him earlier.Normally I do not go off on anyone but I am very determined to do well in these and other major tournaments that I play but just becasue I am a "Nice/Polite" guy doesn't mean that I will idly stand by and let others insult me or ruin my chances of success through their ineptness. I will only take so much and like anyone else I have my breaking point.I am a player who wants to win and whilst that doean't excuse my behaviour I certianly am very wound up at the table as I take my poker very seriously.

[Kendren 1]

Well said. Try not to let what people are saying worry you, just go win this thing tomorrow (today? yeesh, I have to get some sleep)

[vaglvr 0]

TY for responding harry. I think we've all dealt with a terrible dealer from time to time. Good luck and your playing great right now btw....

[benhoug 0]

Yes I did go off at the dealer (who is very poor in my opinion and should not be dealing as she did this same thing to another player previously).However the reason I got annoyed is that she tried to muck my hand saying that I pushed the cards towards her which was a blatant lie......and NO she DID NOT APOLOGISE preferring to try and blame me.I also went off at another player because he was being obnoxious calling a clock on me after I took around 20 seconds to consider an all in reraise from  Friedman becasue someone else called a clock on him earlier.Normally I do not go off on anyone but I am very determined to do well in these and other major tournaments that I play but just becasue I am a "Nice/Polite" guy doesn't mean that I will idly stand by and let others insult me or ruin my chances of success through their ineptness. I will only take so much and like anyone else I have my breaking point.I am a player who wants to win and whilst that doean't excuse my behaviour I certianly am very wound up at the table as I take my poker very seriously.

I don't see how anyone can fault you. These situations that you players find yourselves involve decisions that could result in tens of, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. I say you did only what comes naturally to people in that situation. Congrats on such a good performance in the WSOP this year.

[HangukMiguk 8]

Yeah Harry, very understandable. Sounds like a rough round for you there, but glad you took it in stride in the end and made it to yet another final table. You're playing your A game now buddy. Let's see you make it heads up again!Good luck!

[avsfan 0]

Yes I did go off at the dealer (who is very poor in my opinion and should not be dealing as she did this same thing to another player previously).However the reason I got annoyed is that she tried to muck my hand saying that I pushed the cards towards her which was a blatant lie......and NO she DID NOT APOLOGISE preferring to try and blame me.I also went off at another player because he was being obnoxious calling a clock on me after I took around 20 seconds to consider an all in reraise from  Friedman becasue someone else called a clock on him earlier.Normally I do not go off on anyone but I am very determined to do well in these and other major tournaments that I play but just becasue I am a "Nice/Polite" guy doesn't mean that I will idly stand by and let others insult me or ruin my chances of success through their ineptness. I will only take so much and like anyone else I have my breaking point.I am a player who wants to win and whilst that doean't excuse my behaviour I certianly am very wound up at the table as I take my poker very seriously.

Sounds good to me. Harry! Harry! Harry!

[ddudley 0]

Yes I did go off at the dealer (who is very poor in my opinion and should not be dealing as she did this same thing to another player previously).However the reason I got annoyed is that she tried to muck my hand saying that I pushed the cards towards her which was a blatant lie......and NO she DID NOT APOLOGISE preferring to try and blame me.

I hate when the casino staff screws up and then won't apoligize. Yhat's just uncalled for... Sounds like, in both of these incident you were justified in saying something.Stay focused and don't let all the crap get to you.

[teneight 1]

gl harry..take it down tomorrow !!!!

[theresa113 0]

Harry is my number 5 pick for the Fantasy Pool.I chose Harry because I felt from watching him last year that he was so level headed and that he would take the time to think something through ( he did so with Josh Arieh at the table.)Harry has always been a gentleman and a lover of the game. His post are insightful, well written and based on facts.I can see exactly why he would be upset. I play a home game tournament every Friday night where the first place is between $250 and $450. Tensions get high in this game (yeah, I even called the clock on someone last week, but it was a totally different situation.) I can only imagine what the level of stress is on these WSOP.I think sometimes dealers forget that the players are the customers. A simple appology probably would have been the best thing to smooth tension at the table and make this whole incident mute.

[Ignition 0]

'nuff said...I like it when pro's post in response to allegations like these, pretty much puts everything to rest.

[rednas 0]

I back Harry. The Dealer's need to know that they are at the world's most famous Poker Tournament for the most money. I've been at table where I have a solid hand post-flop and three people check to me. While I am deciding on the bet, I look up and see that the dealer has already dealt the turn. I instantly beraided him with a rath of insults. No cursing, just making him feel like the dipshit he was. I just mucked my hand into the board out of turn, called a floor person, and demanded that the dealer be removed. Which he did. This was not the first time it happened at the table.Moral of the story: Pay attention dealers!Oh, and I personally saw the worst dealers on the wsop circuit. All they could do was bitch about how much they were making; how much they had to pay for their rooms. My only response, "that's a shame. My room is comped."

[alf13 0]

Yes I did go off at the dealer (who is very poor in my opinion and should not be dealing as she did this same thing to another player previously).However the reason I got annoyed is that she tried to muck my hand saying that I pushed the cards towards her which was a blatant lie......and NO she DID NOT APOLOGISE preferring to try and blame me.I also went off at another player because he was being obnoxious calling a clock on me after I took around 20 seconds to consider an all in reraise from Friedman becasue someone else called a clock on him earlier.Normally I do not go off on anyone but I am very determined to do well in these and other major tournaments that I play but just becasue I am a "Nice/Polite" guy doesn't mean that I will idly stand by and let others insult me or ruin my chances of success through their ineptness. I will only take so much and like anyone else I have my breaking point.I am a player who wants to win and whilst that doean't excuse my behaviour I certianly am very wound up at the table as I take my poker very seriously.

I understand you blowing up at the dealer if everything you said in this post is true......but blowing up at the guy calling the "clock" on you? Come on Harry, you are better than that....that guy was obviously trying to get you off your game....and if you started crap with him...he got his reward...it was a stupid ploy by the clock guy...just smile at him and then call the clock on him every time he has a decision to make.The WSOP is turning into pro wrestling....when are the players going to come out for the final table with theme music?

[WatersR 0]

Then Harry busted him, so it worked out in the end. And I've played with him. He is a bit of a wanker.

[Greg P 0]

As a dealer I feel somewhat compelled to add my thoughts here.Ok people, think about how many casino poker games are running right now compared to one year ago? Where are those extra dealers coming from? Straight outta some crappy dealing school, that's where. And the best, most experienced dealers - where are they dealing right now? Not at the WSOP, that's for damn sure! They're dealing in a room where they get a regular shift, regular money, and can work in at least a semi-sane environment. From a dealer's perspective, the WSOP is a nightmare. For one thing it involves having to quit wherever you work normally (very few card rooms would grant a leave of absense that long; NONE of the vegas rooms would b/c of how busy it will be for them too). You also work a bunch of crazy hours, lots of overtime, and deal in a pretty chaotic, stressful setting. For what? Possibly a little better money than they were making (debatable), MAYBE getting on TV (probably not), and you get to tell your friends "hey, I dealt the WSOP"(big whoop)? End result, I'd say at least 20% of the dealers at the WSOP have been dealing for less than three months, and other 40% less than a year.Now getting to the original topic, a competent dealer will not pull in a players hand simply because he/she took a chip off it. When I'm in that situation I simply sit silently until the player either makes a clear forward motion of the cards, or (much less often) a verbal fold (usually with one of those waving motions that imply he's too disgusted with the hand to touch his cards again and wants me to take them for him).I'm entirely convinced that this dealer was new, poorly-trained, and over-confident, just like plenty of the ones who've dealt to me in the low limit cash games there. Harry's account of it sounds reasonable and I believe it. Now was he justified in "going off" on the dealer? Depends; I've heard a pretty wide ranges of behaviors refered to as "going off."Example of justified responses: "What are you doing?!" "Why would you do that?!" "NO! I didn't push my cards at all!" "Please don't do that again!"...Some excesive/uncalled-for responses: "What the f--- is wrong with you?!", "You s-ck at life!", "Go to h-ll and die!", grabbing the dealers arm forcefully and not letting go, punching the dealer in the face...(of course I'm hoping Harry "went off" more like the first example =] ..which I this is excusable)So what can be done? I certainly think Harrah's is more to blame than this specific dealer is. Sure, she made a mistake and does her job poorly, but who's the one who hired her without proper experience and/or training to deal the most important event of the year? Now here's where it gets messy, for Harrah's to have had an entire stock of qualified dealers, I contend they would have had to run a month-long clinic with their hundreds of dealers getting grilled with all the stuff they didn't learn in JoeBob's Dealin' School, and even then I'm not sure it would've entirely avoided situations like these. The option of hiring only "the best" dealers simply isn't plausible; "the best" are already taken. Clearly Harrah's went with option B: "Sh-t, the tournaments starts in two months and we still need another 250 dealers. ...hey you! Can you pitch a card? Ok, do you know the rank of hands? well.. actually a flush beats a straight, but close enough! Do you know what a flop is? Ok, you're hired."Warren Karp wrote an article in Cardplayer recently addressing this larger problem, which will certainly persist as long as the rapid growth of poker does. There's simply no easy solution.-Greg P

[elkang 0]

I support Harry on this.This is the World Series of Poker. The players deserve the best dealers possible. There is enough money here for everyone that quality should not suffer. I realize that there are limits, but the goal should be great dealers.I am actually waiting one day to berate a dealer at Borgata (I have a speech ready). I will perhaps have to wait forever since the dealers there are so good. I tip very well and genuinely appreciate good dealers - those who accurately deal hands quickly and manage the table well AND DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES. There are two dealers there who I tip at the start of a session each time because they are that good.Players should not have to deal with these unprofessional distractions from dealers or dick moves by other players in the middle of the most important tournament of the year.This is poker and sometimes you have to use your pull/agression/influence to make things better. Go Harry go!

[elkang 0]

Undoubtably, there should be no cursing going on in the contempt one shows when a situation like this happens. Profanity is penalized in the WSOP - and rightfully so.But, a strong message should be sent or whatever will work that will get the dealer to DO THEIR JOB.The fact is that there is a huge amount of $$ going to the tourney to pay for their fees. The quality should match up. Again, I know that there are limits, but this is an important issue for the players and I want a fair of a game as possible. But, hey, that's where luck comes in too.Hope you all get good dealers and better cards.

[doublesuited 0]

Yes I did go off at the dealer (who is very poor in my opinion and should not be dealing as she did this same thing to another player previously).However the reason I got annoyed is that she tried to muck my hand saying that I pushed the cards towards her which was a blatant lie......and NO she DID NOT APOLOGISE preferring to try and blame me.I also went off at another player because he was being obnoxious calling a clock on me after I took around 20 seconds to consider an all in reraise from Friedman becasue someone else called a clock on him earlier.Normally I do not go off on anyone but I am very determined to do well in these and other major tournaments that I play but just becasue I am a "Nice/Polite" guy doesn't mean that I will idly stand by and let others insult me or ruin my chances of success through their ineptness. I will only take so much and like anyone else I have my breaking point.I am a player who wants to win and whilst that doean't excuse my behaviour I certianly am very wound up at the table as I take my poker very seriously.

why did you go off on the player who called for the clock? he has the right to do it after one second. sounds like he got you off your game.

[PhishForChips 0]

Dealer sounds like an idiot to me. No way she should be reaching for his cards unless he throws them away. Sounds like she wasn't paying too much attention to the hand in question and made a mistake. Hopefully she is flipping burgers today.

[elkang 0]

I understand you blowing up at the dealer if everything you said in this post is true......but blowing up at the guy calling the "clock" on you? Come on Harry, you are better than that....that guy was obviously trying to get you off your game....and if you started crap with him...he got his reward...it was a stupid ploy by the clock guy...just smile at him and then call the clock on him every time he has a decision to make.The WSOP is turning into pro wrestling....when are the players going to come out for the final table with theme music?

NO! NO! NO! That's just creating a cycle of stupidity.I think the best move there is to call him out on the d.ick move. It's a cheap shot and legal, and it will happen. But, let him pay the fullest price for being an ass.Bad dealers at the WSOP are like the bad refs at the SuperBowl. It sucks. Wish it could be more like basketball (which I say is very fair and well done)."Bad" players - that's just unsportsmanlike and that's life.

[elkang 0]

Dealer sounds like an idiot to me. No way she should be reaching for his cards unless he throws them away. Sounds like she wasn't paying too much attention to the hand in question and made a mistake. Hopefully she is flipping burgers today.

I highly doubt it. To be honest I'm impressed they got enough dealers for the WSOP and that there aren't even more complaints about dealers.The quality of your dealer does make a signifcant difference in a tourney. I saw this the most at some of the NYC freerolls that went on during the recent poker room boom last year. I would luck out and get a table and players who actually know how the game worked and got 12 hands per level. Other tables would be getting 3.Now imagine what that does to your game? Now, this is a freeroll so I can't really complain. But, the WSOP? Any deviation from a professional well run experience is a failure. This applies to everyone who is a professional in this industry from dealer to player. Let's try to get there - especially by the time I get to the WSOP.

[alf13 0]

Bad dealers at the WSOP are like the bad refs at the SuperBowl. It sucks. Wish it could be more like basketball (which I say is very fair and well done)."Bad" players - that's just unsportsmanlike and that's life.

I hope you were kidding with that line...or trying to win an emmy for comedy.