How to play poker

The general idea of poker etiquette is: “Do unto opponents as you would have them do unto you”. Other principles and rules mostly originate from it. They are very easy to remember if you understand the main one. Of course, there is no special etiquette code but using these advices will make you more self-confident at the table:

1. Be as polite as possible. Imagine you’re playing with your best friend…or with your boss. Will you still swear at him? And also think about the quality of you game: bad form can really harm it.

2. Don’t toss your chips so that nobody can count how much you had bet. You might be forced to place more chips. Is that the way you wanted to spend your money? Move your chips neatly towards the dealer… More neatly… That’s it!

3. Don’t curse the dealer. It’s not his fault that you are a bad player or you don’t like your hand.

4. Rely on the dealer if you don’t know how to read your hand. Especially if you are an inexperienced player. It doesn’t mean that you can ask for help everyone at the table. It’s a very bad form.

5. One player – one hand. Never ever try to give advices. It’s better both for you and for your opponents.

6. Don’t play too slowly. Maybe you think: “Slow but sure”…Of course; nobody can force you to act… BUT! Behaving like this makes the game less exciting and the players less polite. And it is considered to be a jerk tactic. Don’t use it if you don’t want bad reputation among poker players.

7. Don’t pocket the chips. Sometimes you may want to hide them from yourself… to avoid loosing all you have.

8. Act only when it is time to act! It means – don’t fold when it’s not you turn. Even if you’re not interested in the game. This can give additional information to your opponents.

9. Don’t eat at the poker table. Choose whether to eat or to play. Do you really think it’s a great pleasure for the others to touch greasy cards? Maybe you yourself enjoy it?

10. Show your winning hand and let everybody see why he or she had lost his or her money. :) Else – you might be asked to do it.

11. Don’t expose your cards to everyone when playing. I think it’s understood.

And the last but not the least…

Silent etiquette

Be silent even if you had got two aces and there are two in the flop. Maybe it’s not the best hand… :)
Be silent when you want to comment on someone’s actions.
Be silent if you want to say something about the previous game.
Be silent when you want to discuss your or your opponent’s hand.
Be silent when you don’t want to be silent.

See more on Poker Etiquette:

Poker Table Etiquette
Online Poker Etiquette
Poker and non-smokers
UK Poker Etiquette