Eating at the poker table: should it be allowed, or not?

tagece

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I see no problem in eating during a live game. I just think that certain types of food, with a very strong smell, that could bother other players or that could damage the cards should be avoided.
 
19aleks57

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In my opinion, it is better to have a snack before the tournament; eating at the poker table can provoke a negative reaction from other players. And if you really want to eat, then there is a break for this.
 
Luvepoker

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I remember my 1st time having food at the table. A friend and I drove a way to go play and he offered to buy Lunch if I drove. What I did not expect was him to order and has a person bringing me this hot Bufalo sub to me on a small table. This thing was dripping with Sause. How in the world can I eat this without getting this all over the card. Thankfully they brought me silverware to eat with.

While I don't mind people eating at the tables I really wish they would either limit what can be eaten or people being reasonably with what they have. It should not be too smelly and should be something that won't affect the cards. "IE buffalo Sause"

Now I do understand why some people do eat at the tables. Having played in the wsop and WPT events this game can go well over 8 hours before a dinner break. Once WSOP circuit vent had our dinner break at 7:30 after we started at 10AM. When you only get 15-minute break every 2 hours or so this does not leave much time to run and get food or eat it. Heck, at the WSOP its hard just to go to the restroom and get back before they start dealing cards again. During events like this I usually bring food with me to eat at the table or during the break. I usually bring granola bars, bananas beef jerky and at times a sandwich. I'll eat the snacks at the table if i get hungry and the sandwich during a break. One thing I did learn from a player was to drink Chocolate milk at the table. This helps me from getting hungry and its good for me.
 
nba2009

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I wouldn't like it to be allowed.

Since it can be annoying aurally for a game where great concentration is needed... That's what rest is for
 
Emily Trott

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I wouldn't like it to be allowed.

Since it can be annoying aurally for a game where great concentration is needed... That's what rest is for
Make the distraction your friend and ally by learning to not let it bother you. Do that and you will have an advantage over those who are bothered by it. :)
 
black and

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I like to eat while playing. If I'm hungry during a game and I don't eat anything, I'm more likely to goof off and make mistakes. Therefore, in my case, I always have sandwiches, cookies, nuts and sweets ready. But I only play online, so I can eat, drink, smoke, squat, and generally do whatever I want while playing. But as for eating during a live game, I think it's unnecessary.
 
Poker_Mike

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Should poker players be allowed to eat at the table? Explain your answer. If yes, can it be any kind of food or only specific foods?

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I would ban any foods that are eaten with bare hands.

You don't want any food that would leave a grease print on the cards.

But some poker rooms give an hour dinner break so players don't have to sit at the table to eat.
 
Balou1982

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A lot of people posting in this thread have not played many live poker tournaments. :)

I hate to eat at a poker table - but have done when desperate. many tournaments do not have dinner breaks - and some that do have breaks so short you do not have time to get food and eat. In those cases you either eat at the table or starve. For that reason I never get upset when anyone eats at the table.

However - I do wish players would consider the smell of the food they are eating. I hate when people eat salads close to me - the smell of the dressing makes me sick. The smell of fish and really spicy foods is also very unpleasant. That is the only thing that bothers me - well, unless someone is a loud sloppy eater but that would be extremely rare.

i like your words about this topic, im sure you played more live tournaments than the average CC Member but at one point i cant agree with you, most people nowadays don´t have to starve - especially those who have time to play poker ;-). Of course it is not the best for a poker session when you are hungry and next break is too short, but everybody can leave the table for a fast walk to toilet, so when you go there you can eat some nuts on the way or bar of cereals and that should be enough for the next hours in my opinion. To sit out for one or 2 hands can be a good deal to handle this if eating@ table would been not allowed.
 
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dreamer13

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If you come to play and win, give yourself 100% to this process. And you can eat later, in a restaurant. Many people cannot imagine their own life without a cake or chocolate.Fans of banana splits should know that in poker the word “split” means half the pot.By the way, this dish is considered the best by the famous sweet tooth, poker genius Phil Ivey.
 
ADRI7HO

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Breaks are for eating and going to the toilet, but really, if the tournament or game is long, a bite of chocolate or something is no problem, but don't put a large grilled chicken or a 2 kg T-bone steak on the table and to eat it there. :sneaky:
 
gloemcesar

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I don't think it should be allowed. (At least complete meals) if you want to eat fully, You can stand for a while. But i agree with little snacks ands drinks on the table, that can be nice.
 
Kinalha

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Should poker players be allowed to eat at the table? Explain your answer. If yes, can it be any kind of food or only specific foods?

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It's a big common sense thing for me. If you don't disturb other people, whether by dirtying the table or even smearing the cards, I don't see a problem. It's a "lesser" problem for me than smoking traditional cigarettes, for example, because eating (as long as it's not dirtying the table or cards) restricts it to your place at the table, while cigarettes affect the entire environment.
 
Paya_31

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Hello, in my opinion eating or drinking should not be allowed at the tables because spilling a drink or staining the table with food on the table could ruin the game. In a local tournament this happened and the tournament had to stop so the table could be cleaned.
 
machinm19

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Sometimes its a must if its a long days play with small breaks in my opinion. As long as you use your table and don't get food on the felt its fine with me.
 
Igor G

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I'm against eating while playing. Players who feel hungry can simply take a break for 10-15 minutes and have a snack.
..... or, as an option for poker players, a special food should be developed, like for example for astronauts, in tubes, like toothpaste ... and which of course will be insanely expensive :)
 
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Definitely not! There are several reasons for that answer:

1) if you want or not, food will fall down to the table and sooner or later the tables look like shit. The cards are placed on the tables and might also get “dirty”
2) people would most likely eat finger food, means we would ultimately get cards with impacted with “fat marks”
3) food lovers from different countries might bring their favourite food, which could smell very nicely, but believe me you do not want to have Durian or Stinky tofu at the tables ;)
4) I am living in China and I can say I cannot afford how many of my colleagues are eating, they make lots of noise while eating, which is Ok for them as this is an indicator good taste, but if you want to make a crucial decision next to them….NO GO

Last but not least there are scheduled breaks, so you should be able to stay without food until the next break.
 
Dzill_230

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When playing at a poker table, it is usually recommended not to eat in order to avoid distracting the players and maintain focus during the game. However, in the case where a player has medical reasons, such as needing to maintain their blood sugar level due to an illness, an exception can be made.*

*If a player is unwell and needs to eat at specific times to raise their blood sugar level, it is advisable to inform the other players in advance and come to an agreement regarding the possibility of eating at the table. In such cases, it is recommended to take short breaks between hands or wait for a moment when the game is paused (e.g., during a break).*

*It is important to remember that respecting the rules and desires of other players is a priority. Therefore, if any player expresses displeasure or disagreement with eating at the table, it is recommended to discuss this matter and find a compromise solution that satisfies all participants.*

*Ultimately, the player's health is an important aspect, and in cases where medical needs arise, it is crucial to prioritize their well-being while still maintaining a respectful and harmonious gaming environment.*
 
gabryyyel31

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If there are specific breaks to eat, I think that eating at the poker table should be limited, only some fruits should be allowed for an energy boost.. 🍎🍊🍇🍓🍒🍏🍌😋
 
Baurzhan11

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hi everyone, eating while gaming is everyone's preference, if you take me then I don't eat while gaming because it distracts me, maybe I'm wrong if I eat while gaming but I like to eat during break



and this is the opinion of the AI robot

Poker is a game often accompanied by snacks and drinks to help players relax, socialize, and maintain a good atmosphere during the game. Here are some typical snacks and beverages that can be suitable for a poker table:

Snacks:

Chips and salsa.
Nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews).
Pizza or mini pies.
Fruits and vegetables with dip (carrots, celery, cucumbers).
Mini sandwiches.
Finger foods (e.g., chicken wings, onion rings).
Sushi or rolls.
Beverages:

Beer.
Cocktails (margarita, mojito, pina colada).
Wine (red, white, or rosé).
Non-alcoholic drinks (soda, juices, mineral water).
Coffee or tea.
Hard liquor (whiskey, tequila, vodka) for those who prefer it.
Remember that the atmosphere is important during a poker game, and good food and drinks can help create a comfortable and friendly environment for all players. However, moderation in alcohol and snacks is also important to maintain a clear mind and the ability to make informed decisions at the table
 
Tanamita

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If the food does not interfere, then why not allow it? Tournaments can last days, and a break of 5 minutes is very short
 
K

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thats why playing online is awesome. you can eat whatever whenever. lol
 
PupsikCat

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I think eating at the table while playing is not very nice. True, there are exceptions for those who have low blood sugar, there is some kind of energy bar if the tournament has been going on for a very long time! And there is generally a negative attitude towards alcohol at the poker table!
 
yogo9

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my opinion eating at the tables should not be allowed
There's nothing worse than seeing someone dig into a burger, chicken wings or whatever in poker tables
If they're going to eat while they 're at a poker tournament, best time is to do it at the break
 
x patrice x

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Of course not! To keep the cards, chips and table clean.

If you absolutely have to eat, you can do so away from the table. It would influence the atmosphere too much or cause unrest next to the table (by waiters) and distract players.

The focus should be on what is happening at the table.
 
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