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Many players new to the game of poker may be familiar with the mechanics of poker from experience on the internet, but perhaps be unaware of the code of conduct required for a live poker playing environment within a casino. Following these guidelines will help create a more friendly and enjoyable experience. Adopting these guidelines to your home games will also give you more confidence should you ever decide to try a casino based poker tournament or cash game.
Politeness
Sometimes poker can be very frustrating but it will not make you very popular if you cannot control your temper at the table. Try to refrain from criticising others play and certainly do not abuse the dealer or other players. Remember it is not the dealer’s fault you are losing as they are simply dealing out random cards.
Playing Slowly
Holding up the flow of the game is not much fun for the other players. Try to maintain a reasonable playing speed.
Splashing the Pot
This is where a player throws his chips into the pot making it difficult for the dealer to determine if the correct amount has been bet. When making a bet, place your chips in front of you in a neat pile for the dealer to check the amount.
Acting Out of Turn
Acting out of turn gives an unfair advantage to other players and is considered poor etiquette. Folding out of turn usually helps the players to your right who are yet to act as they now know there is one less player to consider. If someone bets out of turn, the bet still stands when that player’s turn comes.
String Betting
Any bets have to be clearly made in a single motion to be valid, unless the bet is verbally declared before the action is taken. A player cannot first put enough chips in the pot to call, and then reach back to add chips as a raise (or put part of a raise in and then add to it). If this occurs, only the call will be permitted. Similarly, verbal statements such as “I call your bet…..and I raise you x amount” (contrary to many films and TV shows, this is a poker myth) can only be interpreted as a call as this was the first statement. To raise, a player should simply state “I raise x amount.” If a verbal declaration has been made of the amount to be raised then it no longer matters whether the bet is done in more than one motion as the statement is binding. The string bet rule exists to prevent players strategically misleading others about their actions by attempting to gain information from an opponent’s reaction.
Unfairly Influencing Others
Commentary about who might have what or giving advice during play is unfair on the remaining active players whether you are in the hand or not. It may influence another player’s decision to the cost of someone else. Declaring which cards you folded is also unfair as it could provide valuable information for an active player. Players should also refrain from reacting when a monster flop comes down for the hand you just folded. If you shout out in frustration when 222 comes down on the flop, then it is obvious to all that you had the last 2.
Soft Playing
Such agreements are against the interests of the game and should not be entered into. This occurs when a player bets weakly or checks down a good poker hand when against friends or family. It is also unethical for two players to agree to check down a hand when another player is all-in.
Showing Cards Prematurely
Do not show cards before the betting has finished, whether you are all-in or still active.
Folding Technique
When folding, throw your cards in at a low level of flight to prevent other players from seeing the discarded cards.
Mis-Declaring Hands
Do not mis-declare your hand at the showdown. Although cards speak, it is considered impolite to mislead your opponent by falsely claiming a hand other than that you hold. You should always wait till you are sure you are beaten before mucking your cards in case someone else has mis-declared their hand.
Slow-Rolling
At the showdown do not wait for all the other players to turn their cards over first. Sometimes a stand-off occurs whereby no-one wants to show first, but do not get involved in this. Just show your cards without holding up the game. The last player to have raised is supposed to be the first to show so you should certainly not delay if this is you.
Rabbit Hunting
This is when a player asks to see which cards would have come had the hand been continued to the river. Try to avoid the temptation as it is simply a waste of time. The important aspect to remember is that you made your decision based on the likelihood of certain cards coming out and the information available at the time. Try not to get frustrated about hands you would have won had you stayed in. It is a losing mentality.
Interfering
Do not handle other players’ chips or cards.
Visible Cards
Always leave your cards on the table in full view. It should be easy for someone to check which players are still in the pot with a quick glance around the table. When looking at your cards, rather than picking them up, simply turn up the corners whilst leaving the cards on the table.
Chip Stacks
Larger denomination poker chips must be positioned at the front of a players stack to allow opponents to clearly see the approximate number of chips.
Dealer Mistakes
If you notice a mistake made by the dealer, such as awarding the pot to the wrong player, you have a duty to speak up and highlight the mistake.
Show One, Show All
Any cards shown to any other player at the table must be shown to all other players. The “show one, show all” rule ensures all players get the same advantage from seeing any exposed cards.
One Player to a Hand
A player cannot ask advice during a hand from either spectators or other players. The “one player to a hand” rule prevents any unfair advantage for an inexperienced player. By all means you may ask for opinions after the conclusion of the hand if you feel you may learn something. This also applies to any other decisions a player may have, such as deciding whether to accept a deal or not at the final table of a poker tournament.
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