Last night, I watched the final table of the 2009 WSOP Event 24 – $1,500 No Limit Hold’em – that was steamed by BluffMagazine.com.
I thought I had read earlier this week that electronic devices were not allowed at the final tables. While watching the live stream, I saw at least four of the 10 final players take out their cell phones. Some looked at them and put them back in their pockets, others got up and walked away from the table (and out of camera view).
I’m confused. I have been following my favorite pro poker players on Twitter. Several of them have made it to final tables, and have sent a “final” tweet before the action begins. Usually saying something like “Well, no communication until I win or bust out…”
Oh, okay, just found Rules 87 and 88 in the 2009 World Series of Poker Tournament Rules.
87. Cell Phone Rule: All cell phones and other voice-enabled and “ringing” electronic devices must be silenced during Tournament play. A player who wants to use a cell phone to talk, text, or email must step away from their assigned table or be subject to penalty. Any player using a cellular phone while in a hand with no action pending (player has gone all-in) will receive a missed hand penalty to be assessed on the next hand. No cell phones or other electronic communication device can be placed on a poker table.
88. Approved Electronic Device Rule:Players are allowed to use as approved electronic devices iPods, MP3 and other music players or noise-reduction headsets during Tournament play until they have reached the money in any Tournament, so long as the approved electronic devices can not access the internet, send or receive SMS texts and are not equipped with any type of communication device. Therefore, iPhones, iTouch, Treos, Blackberrys, and other similar devices will not be allowed at any time. Once players are in the money in any Tournament, all approved electronic devices must be removed. An announcement will be made to players once they have reached the money to remove all such electronic devices. Failure to do so will results in a penalty up to and including disqualification, in accordance with Rule 53.
Alrighty then… Everyone is following the rules. I didn’t hear any cell phone noises, didn’t see anyone texting, and didn’t see any iPhones, Treos, Blackberrys or the like. Guess since the hole cards are not being recorded, inbound texts are okay because everyone is playing with the same knowledge.
I’m still thinking that a player could receive information that would enhance their game. What do you think? Risky or okay to have cell phones at the final table?