The World Series of Poker has announced that players will be able to rate their dealers this summer from within the WSOP LIVE app.
According to a 50-second video featuring the WSOP’s Jeff Platt, players can submit a dealer rating right at the table, using a 1-star to 5-star scale. The ratings will not be made public; they will only be reviewed internally.
“What we really want to do,” Platt said in the video, “is to elevate our good dealers. To reward our good dealers with bonuses, perhaps, to get them on the big stage here at the World Series of Poker. We want good dealers, you guys are going to help us with that.”
The reaction on social media to the announcement has generally been positive, but some are wary. Platt warned that a dealer giving a player bad cards is not a reason to give a low rating, but some are concerned that this could happen. The WSOP is a tense environment and a surly player who get a cold deck might be frustrated enough to blame the dealer.
Others are wary that players could immediately jump on an isolated mistake by a dealer without consideration that everyone messes up at times and that a mistake does not a bad dealer make.
“Honestly seems like a cruel idea. So many new dealers and so many unkind players,” said Dylan Linde.
And many couldn’t really care less about the new rating system, simply encouraging the WSOP to hire experienced dealers so there are fewer issues.
But overall, players seem to think this is a good idea. Jeremy Ausmus replied, “An idea to address one of the longest standing issues at the WSOP, this is a great start.”
“Surprised at all the backlash,” wrote Johnnie Moreno, aka Johnny VIBES. “I look at it like the uber rating system. Seems fine. Reward dealers who consistently receive great feedback. Feels like a nice innovation.”
And, of course, some players believe that turnabout is fair play.
“If players are gonna uber-rate their dealers, the dealers should definitely get to rate the players,” suggested David Lappin. “Lowest ten rated players get auto-eliminated at end of Day.”
Image credit: PokerGO.com
