Table betting line

[Mathieu Perchoc]

Hello,

I was interested in your opinion about the "betting line". I know that the debate has been going on for a very long time (I've seen a few topics about it) and that no definitive rule has been established.

Personally, I have always considered that this line is only there as a customer service and that it has no regulatory value (I call it a "courtesy line"). Since poker is a game of intent, if the player shows a willingness to take an action but it doesn't cross the line, I will judge the action without taking the line into account. This prevents a player from making an angle shot by faking a bet that does not cross the betting line, for example.
Also, some tables have this line, and some don't, sometimes even in the same casino. I think it's fair to arbitrate all tables equally, betting line or not.

However, we know that many establishments take this line into consideration when judging whether an action is valid and that most players do too. So it can be confusing for players when the line is not considered.
I understand when people say: "What's the point of putting it in if we don't take it into account?".

I wanted to get your opinion on this and know if it would be useful to harmonize this rule for everyone in the TDA ?

[Dave Miller]

There's no TDA rule about the line for more reasons than you realize. Once you have such a rule, you'd also need rules about the design itself. Rules about the size and shape of the table and position of the line, etc. That's just way too much headache and beyond the scope of what the TDA should be governing.

Besides, as you pointed out, not all tables have them, including tables in the same room.

For what it's worth, the real purpose of the line has nothing to do with poker. It's so that when a maintenance person is changing the cloth, he can measure and make sure it's centered so that the other artwork is where it was intended to be. Probably more important in the pit where the cloths are way more artistic, but you get my point. Watch a guy changing it. He'll walk around that table, measuring and tugging, for a dozen laps before he's satisfied and starts to staple it in place.


Bottom line, leave it as a house rule.

[Nick C]

I have always been in favor of a betting line. I've played in casinos that honor that line. It's simple enough to tell players that their blinds need to be pushed out across the line. That's exactly what they did to me, and once I was told, it was simple.

I know there are many not in favor of a betting line...however, I am not one of them. In my opinion, it works great.