The Venetian poker room has become the first on the Las Vegas Strip to adopt what's known as 'slide dealing.' Instead of the traditional method where the dealer throws cards to each player, they now slide them across the table's surface. At first glance, this might seem like a minor technical tweak. However, the Venetian is responding to an issue increasingly discussed in American poker: the potential for unintended or deliberate exposure of hole cards during dealing.
Why Can Traditional Dealing Be Problematic?
Most poker rooms use what's called 'pitch dealing.' The dealer holds the deck in one hand and throws the cards towards each position with the other. An experienced dealer can distribute cards quickly, accurately, and just above the table's surface. However, if the technique is not spot-on, cards can fly too high, tilt, or momentarily flip in a way that allows a player at the right angle to catch a glimpse of their value.
This problem is exacerbated by the advent of tiny cameras, smart glasses, and other devices that can capture details unnoticed by the naked eye. Even a brief glimpse of a card's underside can give a player or their accomplices a significant informational advantage. With 'slide dealing,' the card remains on the table throughout its journey. It doesn't hover in the air, and its bottom side should never come into the players' or potential cameras' line of sight.
Venetian Retrains Entire Staff
Venetian is among the largest and most prominent poker rooms in Las Vegas, offering around 50 tables and regularly hosting major cash games and prestigious tournament series. Transitioning to the new dealing method required extensive retraining of dealers. Poker Operations Director Tommy LaRosa stated that the room began considering the change earlier in the year as part of efforts to bolster game integrity.
“Sliding cards reduces the chance of exposure during dealing and adds another level of security,” LaRosa explained. He mentioned that dealers were given time to train and master the revised technique before the new system was implemented. The goal was to ensure the change wouldn't disrupt the flow of the game or the professional standard expected by Venetian's guests. Initial reactions from both players and staff have been positive, though LaRosa acknowledged that some adjustment time would be necessary on both sides of the table.
Is a New Trend Starting in Las Vegas?
The decision by Venetian has been welcomed by American pro and training platform owner Solve For Why Matt Berkey. The slide dealing introduction is also supported by Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu, who believes the new method could significantly complicate the efforts of players attempting to unlawfully gain insights into opponents' cards.
Sliding cards isn't a revolutionary concept in the world of live poker. Many countries already employ this technique, though American poker rooms typically still use the traditional card throwing. Venetian is the first major venue on the Strip to implement this method. Its decision might influence other big operations.
Slide dealing can't eliminate all forms of cheating, nor can it by itself address the issue of hidden electronic devices. However, it removes a specific vulnerability without fundamentally changing the rules or pace of the game. If the new system proves successful at Venetian, other rooms on the Las Vegas Strip may follow suit. What seems like a small change in the movement of one card could become a new security standard in American live poker.
Sources: PokerNews, Casino.org, CardPlayer, TripAdvisor
