mtl mile end
Legend
Bronze Level
In a No Limit game, the pot must be visible to all players so that they can see it in case they need to assess how much is in the pot. They cannot ask for a count of the pot, and no one at the table, dealer included, may announce the amount in the pot. You either remember, just know, or look and see how much is there. If you cannot see enough of the chips for your liking, you can ask the dealer to splash the pot.
In Pot Limit, this is obviously not the case, and the pot should be neatly stacked.
mtl mile end
Legend
Bronze Level
I don't know, but I assume it is a combination of tradition and differentiation between No Limit and Pot Limit. I think it's part of the NL game to pay attention to how much is in the pot, how much is in your stack, how much these amounts are relative to the blinds, and all the other factors that you can see online (runners, time left, busts til bubble, avg stack, etc,) even though no one is "telling" you. You can see all these things live. It's just a tiny bit harder. No one is hiding the information from you - it's right in front of your eyes - it's just not added up and placed in a 16 square inch box.
Differentiating between No Limit and Pot Limit is a good thing since they are different games. Imagine players around an NL table betting "Pot" over and over.
Note: I have never played Limit live, so I don't know if you can get a "Pot count", but I would assume not.
I don't think live poker should be trying to be more like online. To the contrary, there seem to always be efforts to make online more like live. It makes no sense to me to make reality more like a good virtual representation of reality.
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
It puts the chips into a proper pile.. It's hard to explain really unless you have dealt for a while. when you "massage" the chips they gather together into a more manageable pile instead of a "large" flat pile that is easily countable (and somewhat unorganized). It also makes pushing the pot easier at the end. I can go into more detail if needed but that should explain it.
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
I don't know, but I assume it is a combination of tradition and differentiation between No Limit and Pot Limit. I think it's part of the NL game to pay attention to how much is in the pot, how much is in your stack, how much these amounts are relative to the blinds, and all the other factors that you can see online (runners, time left, busts til bubble, avg stack, etc,) even though no one is "telling" you. You can see all these things live. It's just a tiny bit harder. No one is hiding the information from you - it's right in front of your eyes - it's just not added up and placed in a 16 square inch box.
Differentiating between No Limit and Pot Limit is a good thing since they are different games. Imagine players around an NL table betting "Pot" over and over.
Note: I have never played Limit live, so I don't know if you can get a "Pot count", but I would assume not.
I don't think live poker should be trying to be more like online. To the contrary, there seem to always be efforts to make online more like live. It makes no sense to me to make reality more like a good virtual representation of reality.
In live pot limit games dealers doing their job properly keep track of the "pot" as the betting is happening. Ex. PLO $1 small $2 big blind UTG limps folds to Button they say out loud Pot dealer says $12 and action continues. The dealer keeps up with the "correct potting" amount so that anytime a player bets and announces they would like to "pot" it the correct amount can quickly be given to the player.
And as to your comment about about imagining NL players betting pot over and over hits me right at home because most of the home games I deal are NL players playing way out of their bankroll PLO potting and repotting every street it's a nightmare to deal but a great action for the players.
Poker_Mike
Legend
Loyaler
This is correct. It sort of "liquifies" the pot, which is a collection of individual chips.
This makes it smoother and easier to push the entire pot. Otherwise the pot may be pushed in 2 or 3 different motions.
It also makes the pot look bigger and more substantial, which customers like.
It also adds some flare to winning a pot Now the dealer didn't just "give" you the pot. They warmed it up, pumped it up and then finally pushed it over to the winner....who hopefully is more impressed with that demonstration of control and offers a tip to the dealer for all the work they did.
It also allows the dealer to use muscles in an exercise they don't usually do at the table, maybe 10-15 times per hour. This breaks the monotony of throwing cards and constant reaching....so it allows blood flow in different muscles for the dealer. This is healthy with regard to repetitive motion illnesses. Would love to see data on this.
Good luck...get lots of these massaged pots !
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Poker_Mike
Legend
Loyaler
And of course, this is correct too.
The dealer "fluffs" the pot by literally transmitting energy into that pile to "liquify" it.
Fun to watch!