The Ethics of Poker

by Todd M. Furman

Overview

Is it morally permissible to plunder a drunken player at the poker table? In a game of bluffing, are all deceits acceptable? Is it wrong to play against a pathological gambler? Are there any real right and wrongs within poker other than violations of the rules?

The first of its kind, this book explores the moral dimensions of playing poker for money in a detailed discussion of applied ethics.

Topics include the moral standing of bluffing, collusion versus "soft play," the problem of players staked by backers, and "Why Kant Kan't Play Poker."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476627854
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	08/07/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	244
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Todd M. Furman is a philosophy professor at McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana. He has also written introductory texts in philosophy and critical thinking, as well as a wide range of journal articles.
Todd M. Furman is a philosophy professor at McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana. He has also written introductory texts in philosophy and critical thinking, as well as a wide range of journal articles.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I—Preemptive Problems
Chapter 1. Is There Honor Among Thieves?
1: Amorality or the Rule of Moral Law?
2: Lying Liars versus a Matter of Etiquette
3: Yes, Virginia, There Is Honor Among Thieves
Chapter 2. The Permissibility of Poker?
1: The Potential Problems
2: What Is a Lie?
3: Why Kant Kan’t Play Poker
4: Why the Rational Profiteer Can’t Play Poker
5: Poker and Its Harm to the Player
• Going Broke and Skill
• Character Assassination
6: Poker and Social Harms
7: A Raw Deal?
8: Parting Thoughts
Part II—Issues from the Table
Chapter 3. ­Peek-a-Boo, I See You!
1: Seymour
2: A Dealer’s Duties
3: Boudreaux and Thibodeaux
4: A Dealer’s Duty 2.0
5: A Dealer’s Duty 3.0
Chapter 4. What Is the Deal with the Drunk?
1: Wild Westin
2: In Defense of Drubbing the Drunk
3: Dealing with a Drunk
4: Dealers Dealing with Drunks
5: A Stagger of Drunks
6: Wake Up Little Susie, Wake Up
Chapter 5. Is It Okay to Feed Jane’s Addiction?
1: Jane’s Addiction
2: Playing on the People’s Dime
3: Can’t Say No
4: No, Jane, No!
5: The Complex Question of Playing with Jane
6: Pathological Gambling: Disease or Moral Weakness
• What Is the Big Deal?
7: A Dealer’s Duties
Chapter 6. The Bad Beat Jackpot
1: A Player Missing in Action
• Answering the Call of Nature
• The Peripatetic
2: A Vindictive Player
3: Thwarting a Vindictive Player
4: He Is No Einstein
5: My Bad, Your Bad
6: Do the Right Thing
7: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul
Chapter 7. A Hot Tip for
1: Tightwads Need Not Play
2: Dealing with the Free Rider
3: A Tip Too Far
4: Mum’s the Word
Chapter 8. Fleeing the Scene of the Crime?
1: Adding Insult to Injury
2: Home Wreckers
3: Jackpot or Social Safety Net?
Chapter 9. Sharks in the Kiddie Pool
1: Benny the Bank
2: Bruce the Shark
3: Syrus the Suckerfish
4: Little Fish in a Big Pond
5: Immovable Object versus Irresistible Force
6: What Is the Deal with Andy Beal?
Chapter 10. The Serial Straddler, Malicious
Mucker, and Flash Gordon
1: The Serial Straddler
2: Flash Gordon
• Flashing Cards After the Showdown
• Flashing Cards in the Middle of the Hand to a Player Without Cards
• Flashing Cards in the Middle of the Hand to a Player Holding Cards
• The Unintentional Flashing of Cards
• Flashing Cards: A Summary
3: The Malicious Mucker
Chapter 11. The Dealer Did Me Wrong
1: Hypothetical Hyperbole
2: Making Matters Right
3: Making Matters Right, Further Thoughts
4: Little Susie Woke Up a Bit Too Late
Chapter 12. Tournament Troubles
1: Stake Me
2: You Stake Me, I’ll Stake You
3: Do You Want to Chop or Do You Want to Chop?
4: Give Me a (Good Table) Break
Part III—Duties of the House
Chapter 13. The Drunkard
1: Teetotaler by Force of Law
2: Paternalism?
3: A Compromise
4: Paternalism Revisited
Chapter 14. The Problem Gambler
1: The ATM
2: Credit
3: Check Cashing
4: The Credit Card Conundrum
Chapter 15. The Tax
1: Corporate Welfare?
2: Do Casinos Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes?
3: What Happened to the Panacea?
Chapter 16. Cashing
1: Conclusions Concerning Part I
2: Conclusions Concerning Part II
3: Conclusions Concerning Part III
Glossary of Terms
Appendix I—How to Play Texas Hold’em: The Basics for (Table Stakes) X-Y No-Limit
Appendix II—Ranking Hands Highest to Lowest
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Furman provides a wide-ranging exploration of applied ethics in the world of poker.... This work acknowledges rule variance while offering a thoroughly readable moral discussion of behavior at the poker table and the world surrounding it.... Poker aficionados, general philosophy students, and gaming professionals will find much of value in this engaging, insightful work.... highly recommended”—Choice; “the first book to address ethical conduct issues of the game...deftly explores the moral dimensions of playing poker for money in a detailed discussion of applied ethics. An inherently fascinating, thoughtful and thought-provoking read from cover to cover...a ‘must read’.... Exceptionally well written, organized and presented...unreservedly recommended”—Midwest Book Review; “considers ethical questions related to poker, beginning with the nature of poker and whether anything goes, as well as whether poker and gambling in general are inherently immortal”—ProtoView; “amazing insight...fascinating...a must book for the poker player”—M.G. Paregian, Publisher.

From the Publisher