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Every casino has its own set of rules besides the obvious “no cheating allowed”. But even if rules vary from one casino to the next, there are a few universal etiquette rules which every poker player needs to follow, and abiding by these few etiquette rules will earn you the respect of your peers, and will also help you make money. Which, let’s face it, is the ultimate goal of every poker player. Let us repeat something your mom used to say: “play nice!” Most of the time, the boisterous poker player will not be the one taking the pot home.
You may say: “I’m a grown-up now! Nobody tells me what to do, least of all at the poker tables!” But if you think about it you will realize that these rules in fact enhance the game experience and allow it to run properly - if players act like they should, you will have a smooth and pleasant game regardless of your being in Monaco or the last inn in the back of nowhere.
Think of it this way: etiquette creates self-confidence, since knowing how to behave allows you to concentrate on more important stuff, and so internalizing poker etiquette constitutes an acquired skill that will definitively increase your odds at the table. A disruptive poker player is never appreciated.
Below you will find a set of manners (think of them as manners rather than rules) that will help you play smoothly and be liked and respected at any table in the world. These are the top ten manners that every poker player should know and follow.
1) Play patiently, but don’t stall the game
Patience is a key element in poker: live tournaments are all about patience and knowing when to fold, and a great part of the skill required to play poker consists of waiting for the right moment to play. But be careful - do not confuse patience with playing extremely slowly. Everyone wants to have their turn, and if you always take too long to make your decisions you will irritate other players. Occasionally, some players take their time to stare down and intimidate their opponents, and while this is a valid strategy if used sparingly, it is tactically useless (besides being very annoying) if you do it all the time.
Always wait for your turn - impulsive players end up losing a lot of money. Whether you want to fold (you can’t wait to get rid of a lousy hand) or raise (an excellent hand gets you very excited), you must wait for your turn to play. Do not fold before it is your turn, since it discloses information to the other players before it’s even their turn.
2) Avoid being a jerk
No one wants to play with jerks, because the game should be enjoyed. To get the right attitude, always imagine you are playing against people you really, really, respect; if you have a polite table manner, your opponents will think your wins are strategized and deserved, instead of just glimpses of good luck.
Nothing gives you the right to swear at or insult other players. Also, do not take it out on the dealers; they are only doing their job, and you gain nothing by being nasty to them, no matter how bad your losing streak is. Swearing makes you appear immature and out of control, and it can backfire on you by prompting others to play more aggressively against you.
Poker is a classy game; there is no need for the use of profanity or obscene language. By all means, be a polite and courteous player: although you are at a table to make money and not friends, you will earn the respect of others more easily if your manner is always gentlemanly or ladylike. Besides, good table karma may bring you good cards!
3) Do not cheat
Collusion with other players and cheating is absolutely forbidden in every casino and home game in the world. Remember that if you are caught the word will spread around casinos and you will be blacklisted, meaning many card rooms will deny you entrance.
Being polite doesn’t mean being a pushover. You have to look after yourself when you are playing poker: if you see collusion between players - which can be as subtle as them speaking in a language other than English - inform a casino manager at once.
4) Concentrate
Pay attention to your game: there is no reason why anyone should have to remind you it is your turn. This will cause other players to disregard you and consequently, your game. Eating, flirting, and daydreaming at the table are not very clever, and cell phones and poker do not mix well - you have to focus on the game and savor it. Besides, think of all the tells you’re missing while you’re texting your best mate to brag about the last hand!
5) Keep a cool table presence
Some basics: Protect your cards so that no one else can see them. Keep your cards on the table. In case you need reminding (and we hope not,) hiding cards in your pocket or lap is not allowed. Do not place anything on the poker table except your cards, your chips, and your drink.
Finally, show your winning hand quickly. Do not “slow-roll” to make your opponents think they’ve won when you know they haven’t… it is the ultimate display of bad table manners.
6) Never splash the pot
Splashing the pot is a common practice in movies, but it is actually a no-no in real life. It is very rude to throw your chips into the current pot because it makes it difficult for people to see what your bet is. Keep your stack organized and neat, in a way that it doesn’t interfere with visibility and dealing of cards.
7) Action at the table
Some more basics: when you are playing at the table, remember to be cordial and announce your moves verbally. Avoid comments during a hand: regardless of whether you are in a hand or not, it is not appropriate to make comments about the possible hands being played, since this can affect other player’s moves and constitute unfair advice.
Even if you fold, you should not talk about the cards you mucked, since this can give the rest of players advantage and may interfere with the way they play. Also, when you fold, make sure you toss your cards into the muck without showing them or flipping them over. The only time it is acceptable to show your cards is during showdown unless you are all-in and heads up. Finally, if you decide to show your cards instead of mucking them then you must show them to all players, not just one or some, so you don’t give anyone unfair advantage.
8) No string bets please
Since you have to announce your play verbally, declare what you are going to do at once. Once you say “I call” that’s all you can do. Some player’s will make dramatic bets, saying something like: “I call your 200… *pause for effect* and raise another $500!” In most casinos they might not take your raise if announced in such a way.
9) Do not flirt at the tables
It doesn’t matter if a player or the dealer at your table are totally hot, you should not try to hit on them. This is very unprofessional, it will distract you from the game and it may even get you in trouble if somebody objects to your advances and calls security.
10) Pay your Blinds
In games where blinds are required - like Hold’Em and Omaha - it is not appropriate to leave the table intentionally when the blinds reach you. Some players stand up when it’s their turn to pay the blind to avoid an unfavorable betting position, and you can bet they do not get invited to join tables very often.
Armed with this little knowledge you can make your live poker experience a much more pleasant one for you and everyone around you. Make a little effort to learn and apply these manners on the poker table, and you will be ready to get a pretty good grip on the game.
This article was published courtesy of This Is The Nuts, the most popular rakeback site in the world.
December 3, 2007
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