Poker is a social game, people sit close to each other and are talking to each other in a poker table. Social distancing is not part of poker as players are divided only by inches. they hold the same cards as other players are holding and they also hold the same chips.
When you look at a tournament setting. The player that accumulates all of the chips at the end is the winner. Regardless of the chip raise, Many different people still held the same chips at a specified time.
Poker is in fact the perfect place to where the virus can spread easily.
The players convened every Sunday to Thursday for raucous games over pots less than $100. Over the years, they traveled together on cruises and swapped stories about grandchildren. Harriet Molko, who sat at the table every week with her husband, Ronald Molko, said the group was, in many ways, a family.
They all played together for the last time on March 12. In a matter of weeks, coronavirus claimed the lives of three members of that poker family and debilitated the other five.
Whether you love the news or hate it. The truth is that poker is really an ideal place for virus to spread and for it to continue. it must change.
Nevada is re-opening its casinos. If there would be any indication or lead on how poker would change. The recent news that came out of Nevada might be an indication, four-max poker might become the standard that will be more than just a novelty from select mix-max tournaments and niche online events.
Four-handed poker will be the maximum allowable under the rules released that detail what Nevada’s casinos must do in order to facilitate the reopening process,
“Plans must limit the number of patrons based on the type of game to ensure the proper distance between players by limiting the number of seats or betting positions per table. For example, player limit per table should be limited to three players per blackjack table, six players per craps table, four players per roulette table, and four players per poker table.”
Would Four-Handed Poker Work?
Some players do prefer short-handed. but Majority prefers a full table. there are actually factors to this does that make this seem unfeasible.
Rake
With fewer players in a table, the blinds will hit you more. the action will be faster. and as the action is faster. the rake can be faster as well.
A few players understand this which does put everything in a very odd situation. Shorthanded games are usually requested by the player to halve the rake. in places and countries where the rake is big. the more this is insisted.
Now from the organizer’s side especially in a casino setting. If they were to maintain a table, you would need to allocate space for a table and a dealer which is a cost. The rake of the whole poker rooms is actually less than the money you collect from the money wheel.
This argument has been there in the casino setting ever since. and that was when it was at the full rake and full table.
With the current situation and guidelines. Will it be even feasible for the casino to maintain a poker room?
The silver lining
Nevada launching a specific guide for poker shows how well they understand how valuable poker is. Although Asian casino may not understand it the way the Americans do. The pandemic might change all of that.
Poker is a great marketing tool. it is one of the few tables games that are allowed to be promoted. Poker tournaments in Las Vegas during summer started for a reason. if one was to look at its history might find something interesting. We have read in an old article that it was held in the summer because It was the worst season to be in Las Vegas due to the heat. But poker players would go to a great length just to play the game.
WSOP Super Circuit in GG poker attracted close to 30k entries. It is a testament to the tenacity of poker players to find a game.
If poker was to be completely shut down by the casinos. Poker players will find a way to play. Either it will be online or underground.
But even if players will shift to underground poker, Poker players will find measures to protect themselves from the disease. new systems will be developed in order to extend the safety of the players.
Will poker rooms insist on masks and gloves? Will shufflers have a built-in UV light cleaner? Will panels be places in between players and the actual table?
Poker must adapt to these changes while things can not go back to the way they were. How it will adapt and how it will attract the players to come back to the live felt is something we have to wait and see.
But we hope to see you soon on the live tours. good luck poker playas!
