Poker Dealer Says He Lost His Job After Being Shoved by Sammy Farha

At the Houston Social Cardroom last week, an argument broke out between veteran dealer Doug Caillier and poker player Sammy Farha. Security camera footage shows Farha exchanging words with the dealer, and as Caillier stood up from the table to prepare for a dealer change, Farha pushed him in the chest. The confrontation flared again after a staff member separated the two men.

According to Caillier, Farha was playing pot-limit Omaha cash game at the time and believed the dealer had taken a losing player's hand from the pile and exposed the cards. Caillier said he stayed calm and tried to walk away, but Farha followed him. The dealer said he believed Farha was trying to escalate the argument and provoke him into hitting him.

Farha is known for finishing second in the main event of the 2003 World Series of Poker. He has previously had disputes with dealers and other players. Caillier said he was examined at a hospital, filed a police complaint, and was removed from his job.

Some people argue that the incident was not as serious as first described. It is also worth noting that security staff stood between the two men, and some witnesses described the episode as a heated argument.