Casinos show their hand ... no poker faces

Players’ hands will be dealt face up under new rules, as card tables, bowling alleys and beauty salons return

Covid-secure casinos are among the venues able to open from today as the Government reopens further parts of the economy. However, new safety measures are being brought in to keep gaming venues virus-free – including a rule to stop players from touching cards. Several casinos say the new regime will allow customers to handle their own chips, but any hand dealt will have to be face up, to play against the dealer – meaning a temporary end to bluffing, and the poker face.

IT CAN take a card player years to master a poker face, but some gamblers may find the skill is not needed when Covid-secure casinos reopen today.

Dicing with Lady Luck now comes with safety measures to keep gaming venues virus-free – including a rule to stop players from touching cards.

Today, the Government reopens further parts of the economy including beauty salons and bowling alleys. It follows a two-week delay when the country’s infection rate began rising.

Several casinos say the new regime will allow customers to handle their own chips, but any hand dealt will have to be face up. That suits some card games, but in three-card poker players are traditionally dealt hands face down, after which they place a wager if they think they can beat the dealer.

The dealer’s cards will remain concealed, but players are now able to see each other’s cards, giving them a better chance of working out the strength of the dealer’s hand.

Simon Thomas, who owns the Hippodrome Casino in London, said: “It gives customers a slight advantage but it’s a necessary move. We’ve put Perspex screens at the table and all gambling will be done seated. The key thing is to ensure everyone feels secure without it being oppressive.”

Casinos believe the advantage will not be significant enough to threaten major losses for the house.

“It’s very marginal,” said Sarah Sculpher, of Caesars Entertainment.

Gamblers can expect to encounter thermal imaging systems at venues, where staff will be wearing face visors.

One victim of the restrictions will be the popular game of craps, in which large groups of players gather around a table to bet on how the dice roll. “We couldn’t find a commercial solution with enough players to justify it,” Mr Thomas said.

Elsewhere, beauty salons were ready for today’s reopening after several delays. Beauticians say they have been inundated with bookings for closecontact services such as eyebrow shaping and facials, previously considered too risky to be allowed.

Some businesses say they are fully booked until September, with bookings for eyebrow shaping up 800 per cent, closely followed by waxing and eyebrow threading.

New guidance means staff offering “close contact” services, including hairdressers, will have to wear a face mask as well as a clear visor.

Bowling alleys can also welcome back customers from today – but with the traditional bowling shoes outlawed. Customers will be asked to bring their own shoes instead – but, said one bowling alley, “no open toes, heels or wedges please”.