Security Footage Shows Physical Altercation Between Sammy Farha and Dealer

PokerNews obtained security footage from Houston Social Cardroom. The footage shows the alleged physical altercation between poker legend Sammy Farha and a dealer.

The incident began at a 1 dollar 3 dollar 6 dollar pot limit Omaha table on October 22. Doug Caillier, a dealer with many years of experience, argued with Farha after pushing a large pot to a player. Farha claimed the dealer turned over the cards of the losing player face up, even though Farha was not in the hand. This claim is disputed.

The argument escalated from the table to a face-to-face confrontation. A floor supervisor stepped in, and a security guard approached the table. The footage shows Farha wagging his finger at the dealer, then extending his arm and pushing him in the chest area. Caillier says he was punched in the chest and stomach. The footage shows that it looks more like a push. Caillier also says Farha tried to slap him, but the footage does not clearly capture that moment.

Caillier's employment was terminated, and he is reported to be unlikely to work there again. Farha, despite being banned from the club, was seen in the building the day after the incident. Several dealers and players posted on social media that Farha had long shouted at and insulted dealers. It was also noted that Farha was involved in a fight at the Legends Poker Room in Houston a few years earlier.

After reading the report, Caillier made a statement on Facebook.