The fact that nowadays poker enjoys a never-before seen surge in popularity, is probably not news to anyone even remotely interested in this wonderful game. Ever since the appearance of online poker the game seems to have embarked on an upward spiral of popularity, the end of which is nowhere in sight yet, sure.
This huge popularity – which made poker reach the status of almost a cultural phenomenon – gave birth to a few – more or less predictable – side effects.
One of these side effects is the interest online poker rooms, online casinos, and generally all gambling venues take in attracting new customers, new players. A recent tendency to achieve this goal is to educate the public. A person will be much more likely to take interest in an activity if he is informed about it, knows its rules, and walking into a poker room for the first time will not be something close to a cultural shock for him/her.
The fact that a rookie player won't become a winning player the first time he plays in a poker-room probably makes sense to everyone. However, making someone feel more comfortable in the often-times intricate world of poker rooms is a sure way to attract customers. Recognizing who the employees are, what their particular job is, which game is available and which table to play can instantly make someone more familiar with the game itself. Not being able to rack up much of a bankroll in the beginning, a serious bad-beat stemming from one's inexperience can certainly cut his/her excitement in a matter of a few hands, and may thus cost the operator serious business this player might've brought in the future.
Whilst nothing really makes up for experience in poker, proper beforehand education can make one's bankroll last a lot longer and save on the amount of money he/she will spend acquiring the right skills.
Even for people who start with online poker and basically start sharpening their skills from the privacy of their own homes - thus being shielded from the intimidation of brick and mortar poker rooms- basic education concerning these establishments is welcome.
All this being said let's take a look at the staff one is likely to meet in an online poker parlor. It'll save you some nasty stares and some behind-the-back talk if you know who you're dealing with.
The chiprunner is the person who will be around the players most of the time, a kind of an all-purpose employee who will help you with much everything, though his basic function is to sell players chips ar to make the run to the cage with the players money and return with their chips. He'll also make sure he gets you the chips you're most likely to need in your game.
The brush-guy ( aka board-guy) is the first person to greet the guests entering the poker room. His functions range from politely directing players to their tables to giving information on types of games available, table limits, general rules, minimum buy-ins and such. Sometimes it happens that the game you'd like to play in has no open seats available. The board person will let you know when your seat becomes free and – if needed – he'll suggest something to fill your time up with while you wait. Many poker rooms have cocktails bars you can hang around in or the brush-guy might suggest a different alternative game.
The dealer is probably the person a poker player is bound to interact the most with of all poker room personell. This is the guy who runs the poker game, and is responsible for fairness and accuracy in the game.
Poker room personell also includes Floormanagers, - people who take care of the whole – behind the scenes – aspect of the establishment, cocktail servers and so on.
When playing at a poker parlor always remember that the dealer and some of the other guys are not always paid by the management. They depend on your tips to make a living, and for a job well done a small tip is theleast one can do to show some appreciation.