The Rabbi Speaks
Mark Green’s Poker Lessons
(as told to Ashley Adams):
Is It Kosher?

BY: Mark Green

BY: Ashley Adams Contact at: (Asha34@aol.com) Author of Winning 7-Card Stud

You know the expression "Is it Kosher"? Generally, it is used to mean "Is it by the rules?" "Is it OK?" "Is it acceptable" It's even used at the poker table - where players ask whether something is allowed.

The roots of kosher, known as "kashrut" in Hebrew, come from Jewish dietary laws. The word "kashrut" in Hebrew means fit or proper as it relates to what can or cannot be eaten by a Jew. Foods deemed to be eaten are said to be kosher - provided they are prepared in a way that is also in keeping with strict dietary laws.

The basic laws of Kashrut including the list of forbidden and allowable foods comes from the Bible, specifically from the chapters Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 17. Rabbinic scholars have interpreted these laws and applied them to contemporary situations for thousands of years. In addition, Rabbinic bodies enacted protective legislation to safeguard the integrity of kosher laws.

The laws of kashruts are complex and extensive. They include excluding forbidden foods like any products from a pig, shellfish like clams and oysters, the mixing of meat and milk (like a cheeseburger) and meat from an animal that may be allowed but that is slaughtered, stored or prepared in a way that is not in keeping with the strict laws of kashrut. Hence, if a cow was not slaughtered with a sharp enough knife or not drained of blood properly it might be found to be unkosher - even though cows, in general, are kosher animals.

But Jews have historically kept it simple for themselves by following the advice of a rabbinical council that oversees food production. If they deem something to be kosher then it's OK. If not, then it's not kosher. Simple as that.

So the question, "Is it kosher" in a Jewish context meant "is it within Jewish laws of Kashrut - and may I therefore eat it. Foods judged to be unkosher were not fit for Jewish consumption. They are called "trafe".

When I think of being kosher at the poker table I think of poker etiquette. Here too certain behavior falls into the forbidden realm, while other behavior should be discouraged as generally improper. For me, kosher behavior at the poker table follows certain guidelines. I'm happy to outline them for you.

Forbidden "trafe" behavior includes any kind of physical abuse or dangerous action by the player to anyone at the table, especially the dealer. In that category of unkosher behavior I put throwing cards, throwing chips, kicking chairs, and obviously any battery of dealers or fellow poker players. But I don't limit it to that. The use of any deliberately hurtful, abusive, or threatening language is also on my list of trafe. Not that players can't express exasperation with obscenity from time to time - but directing it at the dealer or another player is, for me, not kosher.

So too would I describe deliberate angle shooting as unkosher. Deliberately betting out of turn to get players behind you to act would not be kosher. Leaning over to get a peek of someone else's hand would be unkosher. And, in general, trying to get an unfair advantage by acting in a way that may be technically allowed but that is clearly meant to bend the rules in your favor - that I would call unkosher.

There are a whole bunch of actions that I consider unwise or annoying. But they don't rise to the level of unkosher. In that category I consider, acting slowly, slow rolling the winning hand, incessant talking, giving lessons at the table, rabbit hunting, complaining, telling bad beat stories, not showering and, in general, being a boor. These are behaviors that a successful poker player must learn to tolerate - though it's always nicer if they don't exist. They may be kosher, but I still try to avoid them.

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