It was in 2005 that WSOP came up with its original F-Bomb rule. The new rule imposed a blanket ban on the use of the ‘F’ word. Violations of the rule promptly invited a penalty. Obviously, player reaction was unanimous in terming it ‘draconic’. It took more than year for the WSOP and other card rooms to move away from such ‘zero tolerance’ policies to a more enlightened rule, which penalized only any bad language directed at a fellow player, while overlooking any self curse or utterance of the dreaded ‘F-word’.

This year, WSOP has modified its language policy again, and toss in the new Rule 36. Here is what Rule 36 says: 36. Harrah's prohibits the use of obscene or foul language in any public area of the casino at any time. Any player who uses such language or makes a foul, profane, obscene or vulgar statement, or speaks abusively or in an intimidating manner to another player, a dealer or a Tournament staff member, will be penalized. These penalties will be levied based on Rules 31, 52 and 53.

The use of ‘will’ in the new rule has invited criticism from various quarters, saying that it is a throwback to the days of the ‘F Bomb I’ when dealers were expected to turn in players for any code violation. When contacted, WSOP tournament director Jack Effel, pointing to the last line of the rule, said "these penalties will be levied based on Rules 31, 52 & 53. What we may have missed is that a verbal warning is considered a penalty under this rule. So a floor person might merely say to a player: 'Watch your language please.'" He pointed out that the intention of the rule might have been to better equip a floor person to handle a chaotic environment better, and give a clear and firm warning to a player who seems to be getting out of hand. But he stressed that while it is important to have stricter laws, he doesn’t want the language police to make an appearance again.

Effel further pointed out that the penalties now include a "one hand" penalty. That is, a player who has been warned could be pulled away for one hand on their second violation and spoken to privately of his/her offence, and why he/she should just shut up.

It’ll be interesting to follow the enforcement of the new rule, as the 57-event WSOP plays out this summer.