Poker Players Can Rate Dealers at the 2026 WSOP; Do You Like It?

Jon Sofen

Senior Editor U.S.

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May 07, 2026 3 min read

There will be incentives for dealers to perform well at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP), one being financially.

The other incentive is not facing scrutiny, as the WSOP has implemented a dealer rating system that will permit poker players to grade dealers this summer. Poker fans are already sounding off on social media about the new policy following a video from the WSOP's Jeff Platt.

https://twitter.com/WSOP/status/2052411242892132694

Rating Poker Dealers?

Hundreds of dealers from around the world are hired each summer to work for lengthy hours for nearly two months in Las Vegas. They play an integral role in the entire World Series of Poker operation. But many poker players have complained about the quality of some dealers, especially the inexperienced dealers.

A change has been made for the upcoming series, which kicks off May 26 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas on the Strip. Players can rate dealers through the WSOP Live app, the same app they use to receive seating assignments and register for tournaments.

As Platt explained in the 50-second X video, by pulling up the Rate Your Dealer function, players can rate their dealers on a one to five scale. Dealers will accumulate ratings throughout the summer, similar to an Uber driver. Highly rated dealers will receive bonuses.

"What we really want to do is to elevate our good dealers, to reward our good dealers with bonuses, perhaps, to get them on the big stage here at the World Series of Poker. We want good dealers. You guys are going to help us with that," Platt said.

Dealers who rate highly will also be given more opportunities to deal the biggest events, such as the WSOP Main Event. They may even find long-term employment opportunities will be easier to obtain.

The purpose of the dealer rating system is to incentivize dealers to improve and grow. Some poker fans on social media love it, while others have expressed some concerns. Shaun Deeb raised one issue with the new feature at the WSOP.

https://twitter.com/shaundeeb/status/2052414585005580642

Jeremy Ausmus, a six-time WSOP gold bracelet winner, is one of the many who love the idea. He tweeted: "An idea to address one of the longest standing issues at the WSOP, this is a great start."

Dealer ratings will not be publicly visible, and the scores are only for internal use. Platt discouraged rating dealers negatively based on bad beats dealt to them by that dealer.

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