It has been a while since I last pitched cards professionally, but the rule that comes into question in this case would likely be a rule on "angling" or "angle-shooting" (the term will vary between cardrooms and message boards). At Century Casino in Edmonton, my old stomping grounds, there was a specific rule in writing that said no angling was allowed. This meant that no player was allowed to comment about the hand being played, until the hand was over. This could include commenting about cards someone has already folded (when a player whines that he would have flopped a full house), commenting on large or undersized bets, or commenting on cards that you may be playing for free from the big blind, etc. As a dealer I hated having that rule, because it requires the dealer to become a traffic cop when a player says anything. As a player I can't say I hate the rule, because it prevents "noise" from affecting a players decision, but at the same time the mind games are a fun part of the game. If it is a rule where you play then ask to see it in writing. I don't think it is mentioned anywhere in "Robert's Rules of Poker", or in "The Tournament Director's Association Handbook", therefore it is a house rule unless it is somewhere in the BC gaming regulations.

Regardless of the situation, the player is a nit and if the dealer had been dealing a clean game up to that point and didn't say anything regarding your comment then I wouldn't change your game at all. The dealer is driving and should know the rules, he would be first to caution you.

Dan's 2 cents