Poker Etiquette

It's generally considered important that you have a good table image and the other players at the table respect you. Showing good etiquette (along with playing well ) helps you get this respect. A few things to think about:

DON'T throw (splash) chips into the pot - it shows disrespect and makes it harder for opponents/dealer to see how much you have raised/bet/called. It also makes it more difficult for your opponents to calculate how much is in the pot.

DON'T show others your cards when you muck if the hand is still in play.

DON'T offer your advice to fellow players, especially if you are not involved in the hand. This could influence their decision and is not fair on other players. It is also very annoying when you're trying to concentrate.

DON'T bend or mark the cards in any way, as this is cheating and you will be thrown out.

DON'T swear or abuse anyone at the table. Accept bad beats with dignity.

DON'T do a running commentary of the hand. There is nothing more annoying than someone whispering 'ooh who's got the ten?'

DON'T tell people about your great hand that you folded. 'I would have had a full house there, threes with sevens.' Nobody cares.


DO play in turn, and only in turn. If you wish to fold, wait until it is your turn before folding. Otherwise it could influence a player's decision as to whether or not he/she wishes to remain in the hand.

DO keep your cards/chips on the table. (This is a rule rather than etiquette).

If you decide to show your cards after winning a pot wihtout a showdown, you are obliged to show everybody if they insist.

Hopefully if you follow most of these points, you will get invited back to the next game to win some more of their money

As always, comments and criticism welcome.
Scotia

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Thanks for the etiquette lesson. There are a very few that I may have broken at the tables before. How about some etiquette lessons for the poker games on computer? They may be similar but I'm sure there are some special rules (that probably few would follow). I don't want to be an annoying player like I see many many times at the games.

worst one there is when they say what they would have had if they hadnt of folded....IIIIITTTTTSSSSS SSSSSOOOOO ANOYING!!(didnt feel like doin five letters for the big word lol) It happens so much and NOONE cares.

It always annoys me when someone will make a comment like, "possible flush draw, or possible straight draw" when they aren't in the hand. I went to a tournment with a friend of mine and he knows my tendency to play on the tight side. He and I are sitting at the same table and he is the first one to act after me and I get dealt pocket queens. I make a fairly large bet and he says loud enough to hear: "Well Greg I've played with you long enough to know that if you make a bet like that you have a hand." Sure enough every one else folded. I talked to him after the tournament about the situation and he profusely apologized, and I know he didn't do it on purpose, but it was frustrating nonetheless.

That's true, people who talk too much on poker don't focus well on their game. Poker is like golf: keep it as quiet as possible. ave your comments to other players and if you want to speak to players, talk about outside poker things. Don't talk about each other games. Its really disturbing for each other and the other players.