a system and method for quickly and easily clocking in a player to a poker table in a casino are provided . a control panel is installed on the poker table at a location that is easily accessible by a dealer . when a player sits down at an empty spot at the table , the dealer accepts the players id card , swipes the player &# 39 ; s identification into the system , and then presses a dedicated button on the control panel associated with that seat . the information is received by the system and transmitted to a central computer . if the player wants to take a break from play , such as for example to go to eat , then the dealer presses a button on the control panel to indicate that the player is still assigned to that seat , but is temporarily away from the poker table . the system further includes means for maintaining a waiting list of players awaiting play in the poker room and for tracking the play of a plurality of poker players in a tournament setting .