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UKThe Venetian Moves to Slide Dealing Ahead of November 5 WPT
Key Highlights
- The Venetian is the second property mentioned to adopt slide dealing, following South Point.
- Slide dealing keeps cards against the felt to reduce accidental views and possible camera-assisted peeks.
- Casinos expect an early learning curve for dealers, while MGM Resorts is discussing whether to expand the method.
Poker dealers at the Venetian Resort have been instructed to begin slide dealing to further enhance game integrity ahead of the World Poker Tour’s (WPT) Fall series at the Las Vegas resort.
Venetian Brings Slide Dealing to the Strip
The Venetian is the second Las Vegas property to recently change its poker dealing practices. In August 2026, South Point Hotel-Casino announced dealers in its poker room would begin practicing slide dealing, which is known for its low-to-the-felt motion. Slide dealing is more common in European poker rooms and has been standard practice for European Poker Tour events since 2025.
In North America, poker rooms have begun adapting to slide dealing as operators look for ways to protect games more effectively. The technique will be in place at The Venetian before the WPT’s Fall series begins on October 28. The Venetian is one of the U.S.’s leading poker destinations, hosting major Texas Hold’em tournaments that attract recreational players and professionals alike. Its 2026 WPT Fall Festival features nearly $4 million in guaranteed prize pools, including a $2 million championship event.
Card Protection & Speed Felts
Slide dealing means the dealer pushes each card firmly across the green felt instead of pitching it through the air. That motion helps keep the cards out of view from nearby players and prevents accidental glances around the table. The trade-off is that the cards may take more wear and tear during use. To support slide dealing, poker rooms have replaced older table surfaces with speed felts that let cards move smoothly from the shoe.
Pitch dealing can accidentally expose a small glimpse of a player’s hand to other players at the table. That can swing the outcome of a play or an entire hand in Texas Hold’em poker tournaments. Hidden cameras can also sometimes create issues for pitch dealing, with players accidentally capturing brief looks at exposed cards. Even if done accidentally, looking at hidden cameras isn’t good casino etiquette.
Revenue Concerns & The WPT Test
Speed is the primary concern for card rooms as dealers adjust to the changes. Dealers may work slowly when they first switch to slide dealing, which could reduce revenue from poker in the short term. The Venetian isn’t treating it as a problem, because it believes dealers can be trained with extra hours and maintain the skill for years.
Other casino companies are paying attention as well. MGM Resorts Executive Director of Poker Strategy and Development Sean McCormack said the casino has started early talks about slide dealing and is exploring whether the method could be adopted across its poker operations. The WPT Fall series setting is an ideal proving ground for the new dealing method. If the system works smoothly there, it could boost confidence in a change adopted for customer experience and protection, even with the training time dealers may need before the process feels natural.
