CardsChat contributor, Jon Sofen, interviewed UNLV epidemiologist Brian Labus and discusses the challenges poker rooms will face upon reopening.

Any thoughts?
Interview: UNLV Epidemiologist Says Poker Rooms Face Impossible Challenge of Preventing Virus Spread

Good article. The fact players touch the chips and the cards is going to make it difficult to prevent germ transfer. I wonder if they've looked at plastic cards and using some sort of sanitizer system as they are shuffled. I have no idea how they will sanitize chips. Playing 4 handed is going to keep players away in droves.

Originally Posted by Shells

CardsChat contributor, Jon Sofen, interviewed UNLV epidemiologist Brian Labus and discusses the challenges poker rooms will face upon reopening.

Any thoughts?
Interview: UNLV Epidemiologist Says Poker Rooms Face Impossible Challenge of Preventing Virus Spread

Good information in this article. I can’t wait for live poker to start again.
But, I don’t really like those plexiglass dividers at those updated poker tables. If someone was infected but showing no symptoms then they are still exhaling viral droplets. Those particulates would then more easily travel around the edge of the plexiglass directly to another player’s face? Even an N95 respirator, used properly, doesn’t guarantee protection from the virus.
And if I ask for a count on a betsize how can I hear the dealer?
I appreciate the effort though.

Originally Posted by Poker_Mike

Good information in this article. I can’t wait for live poker to start again.
But, I don’t really like those plexiglass dividers at those updated poker tables. If someone was infected but showing no symptoms then they are still exhaling viral droplets. Those particulates would then more easily travel around the edge of the plexiglass directly to another player’s face? Even an N95 respirator, used properly, doesn’t guarantee protection from the virus.
And if I ask for a count on a betsize how can I hear the dealer?
I appreciate the effort though.

In my opinion, the best option is to simply wait for poker rooms to open. I am not a live poker player at all, but I do try to understand how those who enjoy live poker may feel. With threats of the 'next wave' of the virus to be even bigger than this one, I would hope that online poker would be able to support the poker player, at least for now.

In the meantime, try to make good choices for you and your loved ones and be safe!

WOW! Very insightful interview. After I saw the safety procedures for the slots, I thought that the table games would be all but gone. Seeing that they are doing 4 MAX makes things very interesting. Some thoughts below, but it will be interesting to see how things turn out this year.

1. There will be tones of action with only 4 players, and long waiting list to get into the games. I could see it being very fun to play 4 MAX since that is guaranteed action. Even if you have tight players, you could steal the blinds since they will come around so fast. This could force players to change there style.

2. No one will want to play. Even at a large room, 4 players to a table isn't much. They have the same staff numbers, maybe more due to cleaning. Then the casinos will get less rake since the player pool is reduced by 60%. This means they would have to increase rake which will drive off players. Also the pro to rec ratio will be out of the norm.

3. What does everyone else think will happen with 4 MAX?

Originally Posted by Shells

I would hope that online poker would be able to support the poker player, at least for now.

In the meantime, try to make good choices for you and your loved ones and be safe!

I agree with the online statement. I just wish it was legal in the USA to play it without fear and above board. NJ had it's best numbers in a long time. The tax base in the USA would have benefited tremendously by having legal poker. Legalized sports betting, but no poker seems like the system is rigged <rant over>

Originally Posted by ekgbeat

WOW! Very insightful interview. After I saw the safety procedures for the slots, I thought that the table games would be all but gone. Seeing that they are doing 4 MAX makes things very interesting. Some thoughts below, but it will be interesting to see how things turn out this year.

1. There will be tones of action with only 4 players, and long waiting list to get into the games. I could see it being very fun to play 4 MAX since that is guaranteed action. Even if you have tight players, you could steal the blinds since they will come around so fast. This could force players to change there style.

2. No one will want to play. Even at a large room, 4 players to a table isn't much. They have the same staff numbers, maybe more due to cleaning. Then the casinos will get less rake since the player pool is reduced by 60%. This means they would have to increase rake which will drive off players. Also the pro to rec ratio will be out of the norm.

3. What does everyone else think will happen with 4 MAX?




I agree with the online statement. I just wish it was legal in the USA to play it without fear and above board. NJ had it's best numbers in a long time. The tax base in the USA would have benefited tremendously by having legal poker. Legalized sports betting, but no poker seems like the system is rigged <rant over>

No one will play 4-max. It's a different game. And for the most part it sucks for most players - especially if you're a limit player.

I really think live poker is on hold for a while.

There's no question that playing four-handed is vastly different than playing at a full table. It seems to me that those unaccustomed to making a final table or playing short-handed will be at a severe disadvantage.

Originally Posted by Poker_Mike

No one will play 4-max. It's a different game. And for the most part it sucks for most players - especially if you're a limit player.

I really think live poker is on hold for a while.

Originally Posted by Whaevoz

There's no question that playing four-handed is vastly different than playing at a full table. It seems to me that those unaccustomed to making a final table or playing short-handed will be at a severe disadvantage.

Gamblers are going to gamble. I did see that the Wynn will not be opening their poker room up though. So it sounds like the cost is higher than the revenue that they would get.

Poker tables take a lot of space and bring not much money to the casinos compared to slot machines. The casinos will be not unhappy if live poker dies.

Nice article. In my opinion though is just way too soon for inside crowd breathing only inside air Etc like in casino touching cards touching tips it's just too much of a risk right now....... I think better off just playing poker online for now

I don't want to play 4 handed or even 6 max live ring games . my preference is 8 or 9 at a table and that's way too crowded with barriers in place . I don't think experts really know if the sars covid 2 virus can be spread from chips or cards , so obviously that's a worry still , as others have mentioned .

Originally Posted by Shells

CardsChat contributor, Jon Sofen, interviewed UNLV epidemiologist Brian Labus and discusses the challenges poker rooms will face upon reopening.

Any thoughts?
Interview: UNLV Epidemiologist Says Poker Rooms Face Impossible Challenge of Preventing Virus Spread

Quite interesting.

When I first moved where I am now in Madison Wisconsin they had the little casino with tables that were digital you had a screen in front of you where the guys next to you couldn't see the screen cuz it was blocked out and you didn't have a dealer it was automatic shuffle and that's just might be what it comes to at some point. That sucks because interacting by being able to you know shuffle your chips and fold your cars a certain way and the way you get to look at your cards and disguise your hand is a lot of the game. I can only imagine how if it's going to get I'm not looking forward to it

Thanks for the read!

Originally Posted by Shells

In my opinion, the best option is to simply wait for poker rooms to open. I am not a live poker player at all, but I do try to understand how those who enjoy live poker may feel. With threats of the 'next wave' of the virus to be even bigger than this one, I would hope that online poker would be able to support the poker player, at least for now.

In the meantime, try to make good choices for you and your loved ones and be safe!

The US is going to face an ongoing problem because it would appear 25%+ of the population are "vaccine resistant' for both political and ideological reasons.

The NYT had a recent podcast where epidemiologists admitted that herd immunity is now very unlikely in the US for the long term future because new variants have formed.

Initially, following modeling of the infection rate of Covid 19 researchers were hopeful after the vaccinating 50% of the population a level of herd immunity could be achieved. With new virulent strains now in evidence (which can infect those who have been vaccinated) those same researchers now believe over 90% of the population needs to be vaccinated to provide herd immunity. As this is unlikely to happen, it looks like the US is going to be dealing with a low level but persistent infection rate into the future.

It is mind-numbingly stupid as this will ultimately take a toll not just within the US but internationally (travel tourism etc.). One only has to look to India to see how fast the Covid situation and new variants (double mutant) can get out of control. Neighboring countries such as Nepal now reporting thousands of new cases every day.

it's a shame but I will be spending my last years as a hermit.
wouldn't even consider playing live right now.
thank god for online poker even though it sucks

Keep in mind this thread and the news are 1 year old.

Originally Posted by Debi

Keep in mind this thread and the news are 1 year old.

We are in a better world now than we were a year ago! Looking forward to getting back to Vegas next month!

Originally Posted by seraxel

Looking forward to getting back to Vegas next month!

Masks will still be required and there's a good chance there will still be plexiglass in most of the casinos.

Nowadays apart from this pandemic ... it is leaving us a sunami of new and excellent poker players ... that when looking at the massive volume of new players, poker rooms, whatever the name, are forced to make new perspectives and projects. for this lot of new players ... the ocean fills us ... prepared for a good Easter ... one more shark in this very excellent time of time ... let's take care ... let's know how to live ... to enjoy what we love ....

Originally Posted by Debi

Keep in mind this thread and the news are 1 year old.

Indeed, the thread might date back but the information in the later posts is current.

Between 700 and 900 are still dying everyday in the USA and from months ago I stated this would become 'acceptable', which it has. The University of Washington just revised the number of fatalities in the US from just under 600,000 to over 900,000 once you factor in excess mortality through the Covid 19 period. People did not blink - the matter was glossed over in a news cycle. But the new variants are more infectious.

If I was playing live, I'd be vaccinated and still wear a mask.

26 residents and several staff got infected in a care home in Kentucky in March. But 18 of those residents and one staff member had been fully vaccinated. Three died overall.