Ways to Prepare for the Return of Live Poker at Casinos

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As some of you may have already heard, select casinos around the world are either reopening or have scheduled a date to reopen. That means that live poker will be making a comeback in the near future. However, don’t expect things to go completely back to normal immediately.

The pandemic is nowhere near concluded, and there is a chance that it could still ramp back up in the Summer or even this fall. As such, things will be different in live casinos for a while. Today, we will go over some ways you can prepare to return to live poker during the pandemic.

Brush Up on Your Short-Handed Poker Play

Depending on your location, there is a chance that full ring live poker will not be available. For example, in Nevada, live poker rooms will only be able to offer four-handed poker games. Some of you have little experience playing four-handed and will be at a bit of a disadvantage.

Our recommendation is to start working on your six-handed, four-handed, and heads-up poker skills will an emphasis on four-handed play. Since there are estimates that this pandemic will continue until 2021, that will be the wisest move for your poker game.

Be Prepared to Wear Masks

Depending on your location, you may be required to wear masks while in live casinos. This is being done to limit potential exposure to coronavirus. Casino workers will be required to wear masks, and it is a good idea that you do the same. Why risk infection if you can cover your face?

Also, if you are going to wear a mask, wear it properly. That means covering both your nose and mouth when using a mask. Wearing a mask below your nose is no better than playing without a mask. Use some common sense here folks.

Take Multiple Pairs of Gloves

Some of you are worried about poker chips because we all know how filthy they get. If you’re concerned, then take a few pairs of gloves with you to the casino. When you’re playing poker or doing anything handling chips, wear gloves. Once you’re done playing poker or handling chips, dispose of the gloves.

Don’t wear the same pair of gloves all day. If you play 2 hours at the poker tables and go to dinner, toss the gloves and use new ones for your next session. In fact, think about swapping out gloves every time you walk away from the table. This is similar to what you see doctors and nurses do at the hospital with patients.

Continue With Social Distancing

Just because the poker rooms are reopening doesn’t mean that the threat has passed. Yes, that is becoming a cliche, but it is also true. Social distancing guidelines are still necessary to help prevent infection. As such, stay six feet away from other casino patrons and staff whenever possible.

Yes, we even mean your buddies or that cute cocktail waitress you always flirt with. You can still be social from a distance. See what we did there?

Leave It All at the Casino

For our last tip, we are going to recommend that you modify some of your normal routines at the casino. For starters, leave the casino chips at the casino. If you are a player that likes to take casino chips home with them, refrain from doing that for now. While it is a pain to always have to get chips before a game, you don’t want to physically carry the coronavirus home with you. It can live on surfaces for three days, so why take that risk.

The same applies to anything you come in contact with at the casino. This includes food, drinks, magazines, and even items from the gift shop. The only thing you should consider taking home with you is your money. Even then, if you have an account or a lockbox at the casino, consider storing your money there until instead of taking it home.

Leave as many items at the casino as you can during this time. It may be a bit inconvenient, but the coronavirus is potentially fatal to certain members of our population. As such, a little inconvenience can be tolerated to help the greater public good.