From The Floor Live - when to bounce

As a floor I always have to deal with situations where players are verbally attacking each other and sometimes physically.

The physical is obvious, you touch another player in anger you are bounced, period, and most likely banned, and maybe even arrested.

The verbal though is a different story.

Most rooms post that foul language is prohibited, but for anyone who has played live, most poker players are born with potty mouths. Some language is taboo and will always get a warning and if continued will result in a bounce.

Verbally berating a player is the tough one, especially when it gets glorified by people like Phil Helmuth. Also players will verbally spar with each other because of genuine dislike of each other and can escalate quickly. Some do it jokingly with friends but to an unknowing bystander it may seem really bad. Some do it because of hate. I would like to throw out all who argue with each other but thats not logistical. Poker is a violent game by nature, and like hockey, you should let the players jar with each other to a point otherwise even bigger fights may ensue, you kind of have to let them get it out of their system a bit,...but where do you draw the line?

Today I broke up a verbal fight between two players, I first let it go for about 15 seconds, and once one player stood up I jumped in and said 'next person who talks gets bounced' and they both immediately shut up. However, there can be a case to toss them both, or at least the one who stood up, I know some places that would have especially in some high end Vegas rooms.

It must be tough to find the right spot to draw the line. Have you ever waited too long?

I have never had any physical altercations under my rule, though they have happened at our rooms before I just wasnt there.

once in one tounement two players attacked first verbally and then physically this time one of the organizers tournament they were aware of the rules longer comply with the Regulation
He pulled out the players

firstly well handled.
second - us old players are used to it - we just shut up or if it goes on too much call the supervisor and complain - that's where your skill comes in. Too often the have over-indulged and so a sit out period will do little for them - it would take hours.

In some cases at pub tourneys which cost little I just walk out after telling the supervisor why and just let them deal with the situation with at least physical evidence that the player has really upset me and caused this problem.

next time I go back i usually get an apology from the supervisor, who has spoken to the other player.

ive been going to my local casino for a few years now fairly regular-ive never seen it come to blows but ive have seen alot of verbal arguing -esp when one player bad beats another player-for the most part its fairly mundane with those rare occasions where something will happen-on none of those occasions was anybody asked to leave the dealer did tell them to settle down the last time i saw a verbal spat occur