Etiquette of Poker

Poker requires etiquette, and that etiquette goes a long way when it comes to playing the game. To many the etiquette is nearly just as valuable as the rules of the game. Below are some general guidelines you should abide to:

Etiquette on any table:
Things you never do at any time:

• Never talk about a hand during play, just play and keep your opinion to yourself.
• Never show your hand before the showdown, in some casinos you can be removed from the game or tournament.
• Never talk about previous times you won or lost a game.
• Never touch other people's chip stacks or money without their permission.
• Never "splash" or toss your chips into the pot, set them in front of you to notify everyone your bet amount, allow the dealer to be responsible for your bets.
• Never make a move out of turn, be sure to wait your turn to bet, raise, call, or fold.
• Never peek at other players hands or hold/hide cards from previous games, it is considered cheating.
• Never hide your cards and pretend you're out of a game, that too is also cheating.
• Never take your time in deciding your next move, others want to play the game too.
• Never talk disrespectfully or curse at a table.
• Never listen to music at a table too loud so that others are inaudible.
• Never ask for additional money during a game to another person, be sure to have all your money on the table prior to the game's beginning.
• Never blame a person of cheating, let the dealer or the host decide.
• Never take any game personally.

Things you should always do all the time:

• Always establish and understand the rules of the game before playing.
• Always be respectful to all players and leave any drama or past quarrels off the table.
• Always remind new players of rules if they are beginning and be patient with them.
• Always ask permission to smoke.
• Always leave your cell phone alone and do not use it during a game.
• If you arrived at an already established game, always wait until the game ends before entering, then ask the table to enter - usually the dealer will determine where and when you can begin playing.
• Always notify the table prior to stepping away from the table. If it's a cash game at a house, usually the host will establish a time for you to stepping away. Always respect that time duration.
• Always respect people's superstitions or luck charms.

Etiquette at a house game:

• Always allow at least one hour of notice that you are leaving a table.
• Always be respectful to the host or owner of the house and respect their belongings.
• Always bring something to eat or drink if you plan on eating or drinking at the house or leave a tip for the host.
• Always respect the other individuals at the house, even if they are not playing.
• Always shuffle the deck (if you're the dealer) and always have another person cut it.
• Never touch another player's money or chips without permission.
• Never invite others to a house game without permission.
• Never allow yourself to become under the influence to the point that you lose control.
• Never raise your voice or become disrespectful to the host at any time.

It is suggested that you...

• Tip the dealer if the house game has an established dealer (non-playing dealer).
• Thank the host for their hospitality after everyone is done playing, even if you lost.
• Disassociate or not flirt with the host's female companions.

Etiquette at a casino:

• Always know the specific rules of a casino's poker room, some can vary.
• Always arrive a few minutes before the allocated time of a tournament.
• Always tip the dealer when you win a hand.
• Always tip the server when your order arrives.
• Always turn off your cell phone or devices and keep it away from the table.
• Never eat at the table during a cash or tournament game.
• Never leave a tournament or serious cash game unless it is an emergency.
• Never answer your phone at the table, in some casinos it is against policy.
• Never smoke near other players and be courteous of your smoke exhales.

Misdealing, wrong calls, and mistakes: Despite the fact that we're human and we make mistakes, in poker you're going to have a table full of angry players that won't invite you back. But if you're honest and keep your mishaps to a minimum you'll do fine. Here are a few tips to help you keep your reputation solid:

• While making change with chips on the table, always present the chips separate from your stack or any stack. Be sure to have another person notice your exchange before you make a move.
• If you're at a house game and you're dealing, it's not recommended but polite to keep your fingers spread open and show your hand while moving the deck. In casinos many dealers will reveal their hand upward for the security cameras and to reveal that there is no hidden cards.
• Misdealing is when someone mistakenly receives a card that is not theirs. In bigger house games this mistake occurs often and can cause tension between dealers and players, especially if the player received great starting cards only to discard them. To prevent this, practice tossing the card across the table with the deck close to the table when you're not playing. If you misdeal, take all the cards and reshuffle the deck and be confident on dealing. If there's another misdeal, it's best to give the cards to someone else to deal. Also sometimes amateur dealers will ask players to push the cards down the table but some superstitious players believe it's bad luck for another player to touch their cards.
• Card revealing is when someone (usually the dealer) presents a card (this can be by mistake or for cheating). Regardless card revealing or peeking can be a huge advantage for those who see that card. Keep the deck close to the table while dealing, or holding your hole cards. Usually you can buy deck cut card, which is a piece of plastic that goes on the bottom of your deck (be sure to buy the cut card that fits your deck - bridge decks are slimmer than standard poker decks).
• Wrong calls is when the game showdown has occurred and someone makes the mistake of reading the showdown cards correctly, usually resulting in someone being the mistaken winner or loser, or both. To prevent wrong calls, know your correct hand ranks. There are people who still believe two pairs beat three of a kind and straights beat flushes...and some who believe three pairs are legit. It's also best to do the showdown slowly and check to make sure the pot is given to the actual winner. Make it a rule to hold the dealer responsible for the pot or money in play.
• The deck should be shuffled three to five times to prevent any suspicious activity and always have it cut by another person besides the shuffler. In many house games, there will usually be two decks on the table: one being shuffled and one being played. The decks are there to speed up the game.
• Don't get emotional. Remember that although this game requires money, it's best to consider that when your money is exchanged for chips, that money is gone. Consider the chips that flow on the table play chips and keep your mind clear.

Be sure to follow me at @pokercinch or email me at snailderail@gmail.com for more information.