button in SafariWATCH: Video Shows Altercation Between Sammy Farha and Poker Dealer
PokerNews has obtained surveillance video from Houston Social Cardroom that shows the alleged physical altercation between poker legend Sammy Farha and a dealer.
The dealer, Doug Caillier, alleged that Farha, the 2003 WSOP Main Event runner-up to Chris Moneymaker, punched him following an argument with the dealer stemming from a hand in the $1/$3/$6 ($15 button straddle) Pot-Limit Omaha game on Oct. 22.
Caillier, a veteran dealer who dealt at the World Series of Poker during the 1990s, had just pushed a huge pot to a player at the table following an all-in-and-call situation. Farha, who wasn't in the hand, accused Caillier of pulling the losing player's cards out of the muck and turning them face-up, a claim that was disputed.
The argument continued, and it led to a face-to-face confrontation.
What the Video Shows
The video, which doesn't have audio, began with Farha seated in the 5 seat across from the dealer. Caillier stood up after being replaced by another deal, while Farha, clearly arguing with the dealer, walked around the table and came face-to-face with Caillier.
A floor manager stepped in between the two, while a security guard on notice quickly approached the table as Farha yelled at and pointing his finger in Caillier's face. A few seconds later, the floor manager stuck his arm in front of Farha in an attempt to get him to walk away. But Farha brushed him off, extended his left arm, and shoved the dealer in the chest area.
After Farha put his hands on Caillier, the security guard stepped in front of the longtime poker pro and pushed him away from the area. Farha and Caillier then walked around the table and met up again near the cashier's cage. This is where the video briefly cut away. The feuding individuals again stood face-to-face and exchanged words for a moment before Farha walked away.
Caillier admitted he doesn't recall the entire sequence of events because his adrenaline was pumping. But he said Farha attempted to slap him in the face, although the video cuts off for a brief moment towards the end where Farha and Caillier are off-camera for a brief moment.
The dealer said that Farha shouted multiple obscenities at him, including making verbal threats during and before the physical confrontation. Caillier said Farha punched him in the chest and stomach area, although the video appears to show more of a shove than a punch.
Caillier has been suspended from Houston Social and is unlikely to ever return to work. Farha was initially banned from the Texas poker club, but was spotted inside the building a day after the incident.
Multiple dealers and players have told PokerNews and posted on social media that Farha has a lengthy history of berating dealers. He was also involved in a fight at Legends Poker Room in Houston a few years back.
Caillier, after viewing the article, released a statement on Facebook.
So… I was contacted by a few friends who told me a video had been released. It’s not surprising that it took the club several days to release footage that clearly came from its own source.
It’s also not surprising that the video doesn’t show everything. The events leading up to the incident and what happened afterward are missing. It’s easier to release footage that presents a more favorable version of events, but in what is shown, I remained composed throughout the interaction. I did not incite the situation or approach this individual. In fact, I deliberately walked around the opposite side of the table, yet he continued approaching me.
From my perspective, he seemed intent on provoking me into escalating the situation. He appeared to be trying to get me to hit him. I’m bigger and younger than he is, and I was simply there doing my job. I had no interest in turning the situation into anything more than it needed to be.
Again, I went to the hospital to complete the medical evaluation required to file a police report for an assault. When someone puts their hands on you without your consent, it should be taken seriously.
I feel like I’ve had to explain every detail to make clear that I chose to be the bigger person. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to matter. I was going to lose my job—not because of anything I did or said, but because someone like this apparently felt comfortable influencing what happened to me.
For him, it’s a game within a game. It always has been, and based on my experience, it still seems that way. He kept pushing until he got the outcome he wanted.
Now I’m unemployed, while there’s a good chance he’ll be sitting in that club playing poker as this is being read.
I have a police report and the required medical evaluation. For now, all I can do is let the process move forward.
Let me be clear: This isn’t a payday for me. And for those who think I’m enjoying any of this, think again. I’d much rather be doing what every working person wants to do: go to work, do my job, earn my money, and come home without dealing with confrontations involving disgruntled individuals.
I never wanted any of this. I simply wanted to do my job.
Thank you again to everyone who has left kind comments, reached out, and continued to support me. It genuinely means everything to me.
