HoldemNation.com Poker Etiquette

Poker Etiquette

As with most activities, there is an understanding of basic poker etiquette among experienced players. The list below contains a partial list of the most common breaches of etiquette that earn you a bad reputation in your poker community.

Criticizing the play of your opponents

There are a number of reasons why this can be considered a big breach of etiquette. Experienced poker players make a living on "fish" (those lucrative players who are KNOWN for bad play). Bringing a player's bad play to their attention reduces the opportunity for you (and every other player) to keep a healthy supply of fish in the poker pond. If someone makes a bad play and gets lucky on you, just tell them "Nice hand" and think about the times in the near future where their continued bad play will pay you off.

Acting Slow

Many advanced players have calculated their hourly average based on an expected speed of play. When you play slowly, you reduce the number of hands that you (and everyone else) can play in an hour. Additionally, in live games, the dealer is often tipped by the winners of each hand, and if you consistently play slowly, you're taking money out of these hard working people's pockets. If you truly need the time, then take it. But in general, try to keep the flow of the game moving at a nice pace.

Acting Out of Turn

While it's not possible to act out of turn online, it occasionally happens in live games. Though usually accidental, acting out of turn is a breach of etiquette as it may change the dynamic of how the hand plays out. For example, a player could be contemplating a call when a player that acts after him signals a raise. This breach of etiquette may result in the player with the action folding when they may have called, or calling when they may have raised, etc. It's important to pay attention, because this is a big no no.

Discussing a hand that is in progress

It is not only a breach of etiquette, but in most poker rooms, it is also a violation of rules to discuss most aspects of a hand that is currently in progress. Providing information related to cards that you have folded, speculating what other players may have folded (or are currently holding), or encouraging another player to fold, call, or raise is not good form. In addition, if there is a bad beat jackpot in the room where you play, discussing the hand will negate the jackpot if it hits during the hand that is being discussed.

DON'T USE CAPSLOCK

IN ONLINE PLAY, IT IS CONSIDERED POOR FORM TO TYPE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. IT COMES ACROSS AS SHOUTING AND MANY PLAYERS ARE ANNOYED BY THIS TEXT FORMAT.

Display your chips properly

Especially in PL and NL games, making sure all players at the table can approximately gauge your level of chips is expected. This means not hiding your large denomination chips behind your small denomination chips. This is also a piece of etiquette that many card rooms and tourney directors have written into the rule book.

Adding/Withdrawing chips to/from play during a hand

This is just not allowed online or offline. If you try to do it at a live game, someone will surely point out this violation of the rules and you will come off looking like an amateur or a cheat. Additionally, even when you are between hands, it is also considered improper to take chips off the table. Players expect that chips that you win at the table will stay in play for as long as you are seated. Adding chips in between play is generally allowed (as long as you do not exceed the table maximum if there is one).

Smoking at the table

At a casino, the seats immediately to the left and right of the dealer are usually designated non-smoking seats. This is for the dealer's comfort and consideration. However, if you are smoking, it is polite to be considerate about where you exhale your smoke. One benefit of online play is that you can do what you want in your own home.

These are the major items of etiquette. Knowing this list will get you by as you pick up through experience the rest of the nuances of the game. If you have any additional questions of etiquette, please feel free to email us.