All players should follow poker’s
basic rules of etiquette no matter their
skill level.
Have at least a clue. No one expects beginner
players to know every facet of the game, but they should at least know
hand rankings and basic play before sitting down with others.
Play when it’s your turn. Don’t bet, check, or fold
unless it is your turn. Players who jump the gun on these actions
confuse the proceedings and tip off information to others at the table.
Be nice. It’s not the dealer’s fault you missed that
straight, nor is it Mrs. Jones from San Diego’s fault that your bluff
fell through. Don’t yell and swear at them.
Get to it. You might enjoy dragging out the
proceedings, taking forever to announce decisions, place your bet in the
pot, or reveal your hand at the showdown. However, no one else likes it.
Don’t play with your chips. Always keep your chips
on the table, not in your shirt pocket or purse. Place them nicely in
the pot so that everyone can see how much you’ve bet. And clicking them
together? That’s annoying.
It’s not a team game. Don’t chat with other players
about your hand, their hand, or anyone else’s hand. Table talk at the
poker table is highly frowned upon, and if you do it you won’t be
invited back.
Take the blinds like a man (or a woman). Don’t leave
the table when it’s your turn for a blind bet, then come back at a more
favorable betting time. Blind bets are part of the game, and a real
competitor deals with them.
Folded cards are folded cards. Don’t expose your
cards after you fold, either to one other player or to the entire table.
Knowing what was in your hand affects how others will play the rest of
the way.
It’s a poker table, not a dinner table. If you want
to eat, go to the buffet. Nothing’s worse than sitting beside a player
who’s scattering sandwich crumbs all over your chips, or getting
mayonnaise on the cards.
Poker
Etiquette