MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
Is the place near the dealer more comfortable?
I generally sit in seat 4 or 7 when I play cash. Tournaments I'm stuck with whatever they assign to me. I don't like seats 1 and 10 because it's hard to see everyone, and whether or not they have made an action yet. With seats 5 and 6 I feel too "on display" and often times squished. I like to have my dinner delivered to me at the table, so with seats 4 and 7 I can still be seated where I can see everyone, not feel like I'm the center point of the table, and also have room for my food tray, and plenty of space to feel comfortable.
Bricxjo
Just some happy guy
Loyaler
If I have the choice, I look for the big, dis-organized stack of chips and sit to the left of them. I might even offer to buy them a drink. A sloppy stack of chips is usually a sign of loose play, but even if it is a neater stack of chips, I usually want position on the chip leader at the table.
Phil Gordon tells this story about walking past a table that had 5 well-known poker pros sitting (that he considered his equal or better) and he was about to keep moving, until he noticed that the novice at the table was making big re-buys repeatedly, that's when he decided to sit down for a while.
Phil Gordon tells this story about walking past a table that had 5 well-known poker pros sitting (that he considered his equal or better) and he was about to keep moving, until he noticed that the novice at the table was making big re-buys repeatedly, that's when he decided to sit down for a while.
Last edited:
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
Okay,
I assumed this question was just discussing comfort.. because the whole premise of the question by the OP asked if the seat next to the dealer is more comfortable..
If this is a discussion about a strategic decision then obviously you would take position on the larger stack, however that wasn't how the question was presented.
I assumed this question was just discussing comfort.. because the whole premise of the question by the OP asked if the seat next to the dealer is more comfortable..
If this is a discussion about a strategic decision then obviously you would take position on the larger stack, however that wasn't how the question was presented.
Bricxjo
Just some happy guy
Loyaler
Sure, I have been to some local casinos for tournaments and if you ask for a position next to the dealer, they usually make it happen, but these are small casinos because I live in New mexico. So if it is a tourney where everybody starts equal, it is a good seat if you are a newbie to live play. Just let the dealer know that if you are missing a blind or your turn to act, you would appreciate a discrete assist. Of course this was about 10 years ago when I would ask for a seat next to the dealer, it may have changed.
Poker_Mike
Legend
Loyaler
Yeah, comfort is very subjective.
Some players want the middle seat to see the board better.
Some players don't want to sit near an air conditioning vent.
Some players don't want to sit under a bright light (or the opposite).
Some players like seats at either ends of the table 1-3 and 9-7 for elbow room and space to eat a meal.
Some players want a seat to watch sports better.
Some players want a seat that gives them a better view of the Pussy Cat Dolls as they walk to their changing room.....anybody remember the old Ceasars room?
etc. etc.
Some players want the middle seat to see the board better.
Some players don't want to sit near an air conditioning vent.
Some players don't want to sit under a bright light (or the opposite).
Some players like seats at either ends of the table 1-3 and 9-7 for elbow room and space to eat a meal.
Some players want a seat to watch sports better.
Some players want a seat that gives them a better view of the Pussy Cat Dolls as they walk to their changing room.....anybody remember the old Ceasars room?
etc. etc.
Bricxjo
Just some happy guy
Loyaler
I see where you are going with the arrangement of seating at the table. I sure do feel like I can spread out if I am at the corner and not the extreme long end, just next to those positions. Good commentary for long play and eating.
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
Tournaments you are given a seat when you register. You can't change your seating arrangement unless they have to balance the tables and even then you can't choose, they will assign you another seat card.
In my original response I was talking about at the cash table. More specifically at the start of a new cash table. So you have zero reads on anyone, and everyone has the same amount of chips.
All that aside I thought the OP was asking which seat is the most comfortable in a live setting.
Bricxjo
Just some happy guy
Loyaler
Sorry if I stepped on your toes Memphis, I didn't mean any offense. I saw the OP was from Ukraine, so I didn't know how "comfortable" was being translated here. But it is all still a good discussion. :icon_sunn
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
Subjective or not that's what made it a topic of discussion so the OP could hear varied views of where people liked to sit and why.
I agree with seeing the board better that's why seats 4 and 7 are good because you can still see the board without sitting in 5 and 6 MUCH better than you can in seats 2,3,8, and 9
I'm sure nobody wants to sit directly under the AC vent unless the casino is hot, which has NEVER happened in my experience.
I can't see a situation in which the light would be brighter on one seat than another.....
4 and 7 are the best places to eat and for elbow room while still being able to see the board. Tested and approved
I guess I can't comment on the sports one.. because if I'm at a casino playing cards, I'm not focused on sports, if I play a bar league game I'll watch sports.
Is this seat to see the pussy cat dolls still available?? lol
Poker_Mike
Legend
Loyaler
In live tournaments I have been assigned seat 5 or 6 and asked if I mind changing seats with someone who has difficulty seeing the board. I gladly changed seats because the tournament had not started yet and so there was no real difference to me.
If you need a specific seat due to a disability then just let the staff know and they will do their best to accommodate you. The staff wants you to have a fun and successful tournament - everyone wants you to come back!
Good luck !
If you need a specific seat due to a disability then just let the staff know and they will do their best to accommodate you. The staff wants you to have a fun and successful tournament - everyone wants you to come back!
Good luck !
Bricxjo
Just some happy guy
Loyaler
Yeah, that has been my experience with tourneys, but I did notice in NM when I was first playing that if you showed up early and were pleasant and friendly, the seating had a bit of flexibility. I have not asked in such a long while, I don't even know if that holds.
But I also originally assumed a cash table because of the choice of seat.
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
No toes being stepped on here. I could have very well been the one to misinterpret the question lol It happens quite often
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
That's crazy.... It must have been a smaller tournament? People where I play if that happened you would NEVER hear the end of it.
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
I wish it was like that in more places. We had a situation like that happen and the floor wouldn't let the handicapped player move so we just all read the board out to them each time, I've also played with players that have a person hold their cards up for them and make their bets as well, they just couldn't make decisions, or influence action in anyway.
Poker_Mike
Legend
Loyaler
I agree with you Memphis but.....poker management knows this....."Sports brings people into the poker room.....NOT poker." I was shocked when I first heard this but it seems to be true. Superbowl is coming up......the room will be packed...I promise!
Sigh....alas....Ceasars in Vegas closed the old room when that space was sold/rented to the nightclub next to it. The PCDolls literally had to walk through the old poker room to get to their changing rooms. Dealers used to laugh at how all the heads at the table would swivel in unison to watch the Dolls walking through. The new (not new anymore) poker room was moved onto the floor area on the other side of the sportsbook. Aaah, those were some good times!
Bricxjo
Just some happy guy
Loyaler
Right?! There used to be this small game that was $7 buy-in with $5 add-on. I usually showed up early and the girl would let me ask for a seat next to the dealer. She usually said, "Sure, hun." and winked at me.
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
Sounds like it! I've only played at the Aria, The Rio, and Mandalay Bay in Vegas if this was still available I was going to make a special trip
Bricxjo
Just some happy guy
Loyaler
I wonder if I could get a service parrot that could read tells!
Poker_Mike
Legend
Loyaler
Well, to be fair there are usually multiple ways to accommodate players with disabilities.
I have played with blind players in tournaments where they have a companion who whispers their hole cards and also the board to the player. The blind player then announces how much to bet or raise and their companion pushes the chips out.
I have played with a blind player in a home-style game and he brought brail cards with him. Yes! He was a nice guy but if you sat next to him then you had to deal for him because he could read all the cards as he was dealing them out because of the brail bumps on the cards - so he would know everyone's cards and therefore couldn't deal them out.
It is always sooo much easier for a room to make real accomodations for a disability than to have to respond to a lawsuit. Again, the room management should want players to have positive experiences so that they want to return next time.
Last edited:
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
MemphisGrind
Think Bink
Bronze Level
Poker_Mike
Legend
Loyaler
Ha haaaaa! Just train the parrot to say, "He's bluffing!" over and over....and use it to your advantage!