• Home

Proper Poker Etiquette

 

Poker is a classic card game that has many rules of etiquette that help to keep the game fair and flowing smoothly. Some of the rules of etiquette are obvious but some may not be familiar to you if you're a newer player. Generally, keeping. Poker Etiquette Although poker is a pleasurable pastime, it’s enjoyable only when the game runs smoothly and quickly. Most of the responsibility for ensuring this rests with the house dealer, but players can do their part to keep the game moving in an orderly fashion.

  1. Proper Poker Etiquette
  2. Proper Poker Etiquette Sign
  3. Proper Poker Etiquette Games
  4. Proper Poker Etiquette Signs
  5. Proper Poker Etiquette Party

There’s more to winning at poker than a good poker face. Like every competition, the game has written and unwritten rules.

Written rules include how to play Texas Hold ’em and when to bet, raise, fold or flop. Unwritten rules about player behaviour are as important as the mechanics of the game.

While the dealer guides the game, each player must know and follow poker etiquette. A player who is unaware of etiquette slows the pace and creates serious problems.

Keep reading to learn the proper way to behave at a poker table. Although there’s no such thing as a steady income in poker, 25% of players make money.

Your Invitation to the Best Online Pokies in Australia

Like a punt on the slot machines?

Our top rated slots for October 2019 are the smash-hit online pokie sites: Ruby Fortune and Jackpot City Casino.

These sites include some impressive matched bonuses – up to $750 and $1600 respectively! With the potential for some seriously big wins, here’s your chance to get a piece of the action:

Common Rules of Poker Etiquette

The following guidelines promote sportsmanship. They work at the World Series of Poker as well as your dining room table.

Proper etiquette results in a fast-paced game that’s enjoyable for everyone at the table.

Pay Attention

When you’re seated at the table be present and pay attention. If you’re distracted give your seat to someone else.

Sometimes people listen to music while playing poker. If you do, keep one ear open and the volume down. If you can’t hear the dealer or other players you’ll delay the game.

You may miss vital information if you listen to music instead of your opponents.

Always Act in Turn

The action in poker moves clockwise around the table. Each player takes a turn.

If you act out of turn it can influence another player’s action. You can provide an unfair advantage.

For example, if you discard before your turn another player may choose to bluff. He couldn’t do that if he played before you. That isn’t fair to the other players.

It’s forgivable if you act out of turn once by accident. Repeated acting out of turn is cause for ejection. It shows disregard for the game and your fellow players.

Make your intentions clear to the dealer and other players. It’s a good idea to announce your play when you place your chips.

Show the Total Amount You Have in Chips

It’s okay to ask someone how much they have in their stack.

Try not to block your chip stack with your hands. If someone asks how much you have, show them or state the amount you had at the start.

Stack your chips in logical piles so you and your opponents can estimate the amount. Keep your chips organized in your own space.

Never mix your chips with other players’ or spill over into their area.

Don’t add chips to your stack in the middle of a hand. Never remove chips from the table to reduce the total amount of your stack.

Don’t Delay the Action

Proper poker etiquette meaning

Poker players spend a lot of time watching at the beginning of the game. That’s because most players throw away the starting hand. Everyone wants the game to move as fast as possible.

It’s reasonable to take time to think through your next move. If you need extra time for a tough decision, say “Time, please.” Otherwise, act as fast as possible.

Try not to stall the action. Here are a few examples of what not to do:

  • Don’t talk to the waitress, the dealer or another player when you should play your hand.
  • Don’t watch television instead of the poker table.
  • Don’t use your phone or eat a meal during a game.

Pay attention and play so the game moves at an enjoyable pace for everyone at the table.

Don’t Toss Chips into the Pot

Splashing the pot is the term for throwing chips right into the pot. It’s a bad idea for a couple of reasons.

First, it’s hard for the dealer and players to see if you bet the right amount. Second, splashing the pot can delay the game. If a dealer can’t see that you put in the right amount he’ll stop the game.

The correct way to bet is to put your chips on the table in front of you. The dealer confirms the amount, then adds it to the chips in the middle of the table.

Avoid a String Bet or String Raise

Always put the right amount of chips in the pot all at once when you raise or bet.

A string bet or string raise occurs when less than the full amount goes into the pot. The player puts too few chips in, then returns to his stack to get more chips without announcing a raise.

You must announce the raise and put the correct amount in or it’s an illegal play. Always announce when you intend to raise.

Playing Table Stakes

Poker played with table stakes refers to the money and chips in front of you on the table. You can’t use any other money during that hand.

If you run out of chips or cash during the hand you’re “all in.” You won’t lose the pot since someone bet more money than you have on the table.

Table stakes also mean you can’t remove any money from the table until you leave the game.

Never Discuss Your Hand

Giving information to the other players is bad form. It doesn’t matter if you’ve thrown away your cards or not.

What you say can lead to an unfair advantage. Telling players which cards you have or threw out influences player decisions.

It’s bad form to fold face-up or show your cards to another player before you fold. Never tell what your hole cards were.

Don’t say or do anything that reveals information about a hand that’s in progress. Never try to influence a hand you’re not playing.

Keep Your Cards on the Table

Most places demand you keep your cards on the table.

It’s also a good idea for your strategy. Keeping your cards on the table prevents another player from seeing them.

Plus, the dealer always looks at the table in front of each player. If the dealer can’t see your hand, he may deal your next card to someone else.

Never hide your cards. Always be clear that you’re in the hand.

Turn All Cards Face Up at the Showdown

The dealer must see your entire hand to determine if you won.

Show all your cards, not the five you used to win. This proves you have a legitimate hand of seven cards.

Expect other players to object if you don’t show all your cards. If no one calls your final bet or raises it, you don’t need to show your cards.

Treat Everyone with Respect

Be polite and respectful towards other players, the dealer, and employees. A good attitude and manners create a positive environment for competition.

Don’t belittle another player or tell them what you think they should do instead. Never blame the dealer or another player for your results.

If you’re out of the hand, be mindful of the other players. Don’t make a lot of noise, talk nonstop or play loud music. Never make or take a phone call at the poker table.

Treat the cards, table, and property of the club and opponents with consideration. Don’t swear or argue.

Behave like a grownup if there’s a discrepancy between players. Contact the floor man if it’s a live game or the support team for an online game to resolve the issue.

Only contact authorities if you’re certain a player broke the rules.

A Hit and Run is another example of poor poker etiquette. It occurs when a player leaves right after winning a generous pot from another player.

Don’t pack up and leave the table right after you win.

Play an Ethical Game

Players who use deceptive tactics to gain an advantage are angle shooting.

When someone talks about the strength of their hand or next move during a multi-way pot it’s an angle shoot.

It’s angle shooting if you’re unclear on purpose during your turn.

One of the worst ways to angle shoot is to misrepresent your hand. Don’t say you have a flush when you don’t. Never use a large chip then pretend you meant to make a smaller bet.

Be Gracious When You Win or Lose

Don’t be an obnoxious celebrator when you win. Thank the other players for a good game. Give the dealer a tip and stack your chips in a calm, quiet manner.

Don’t mope when you lose. Never slam the table, throw your cards or swear. Don’t complain or blame anyone else.

Proper Poker Etiquette

If you need help, read serious books on poker to improve your game.

Tip the Dealer and Staff

Tipping isn’t required, but it’s a good way to say thanks to the dealer and staff for professional service.

When you win an average-sized pot or accept drinks and food from the staff, give them a tip.

Some players tip the same amount on every hand they win. Other players give larger tips less often. If you’re unsure of how much to tip, copy the better players at your table.

Don’t forget to figure in the rake (payment) the casino or poker room gets for running the game. It’s usually a percentage of the pot.

Ready to Play?

Now that you know proper poker etiquette it’s time to find a place to play. Check out our insider’s guide to playing poker in Australia.

Etiquette

Texas Hold’em poker is everywhere these days — on TV, online, and in clubs and casinos. Before you sit down to a game of Texas Hold ’em, make sure you’re in good shape to be successful — take care of non-poker issues and check your physical, mental, and financial status. During the game, you need to understand basic odds and playable hands, as well as how to bluff successfully and follow proper poker etiquette. Texas Hold ‘Em also has its own abbreviations for online play.

Playable Texas Hold’em Hands

Texas Hold’em is a game of strategy, like any poker game, but where you’re sitting in relation to the action becomes part of your strategy when playing Hold’em. If you bet early, you generally need better cards than you do if you’re one of the blinds. The following table offers sound advice on what hands are playable when you’re sitting in different positions.

Questions to Ask Yourself before You Play Texas Hold’em

Whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em for fun or money — make that whether you’re playing for high stakes or low stakes — make sure you’re in a position mentally, physically, and financially to enjoy the game and make the most of your chances. Ask yourself these questions before you sit down to a game:

Proper Poker Etiquette Sign

  • What is the purpose of my playing this session? Whether it’s to learn more, win money, or just hang with friends for a good time, make sure you know why you’re there and that you’re doing everything you can to accomplish that goal.

  • If I were to play an opponent who’s exactly the same as a well-rested, un-stressed version of me, would that person have an advantage? If the answer is “yes,” hold off on playing until you’re in a better psychological and physical state.

  • Can my bankroll handle this level of play? If not, play a lower level.

  • Are there any distractions in my life that I need to get rid of before I play? Pay your rent, walk your dog, call your significant other — whatever it is, get it out of your head so you can focus.

  • Do I know if the house I’m playing in has any bonuses for players such as bad beat jackpots, high hands, free food and/or drinks for players, or freeroll tournaments? If not, ask a floorperson before you start playing and find out about the details of how you can qualify.

  • Is there an aggressive person at the table I’ll be playing at? If so, try to get yourself seated to his left so you see the raises before your action and not after.

  • What do I know about the people sitting at the table? Whatever it is, use it to your advantage.

Rough Odds for Texas Hold’em

Playing poker is about playing the odds. The following list gives the odds for outcomes in Texas Hold’em hands. When you realize how heavily the odds are stacked against you, you may want to rethink going all-in before the flop with two suited cards. Use the odds to your advantage:

  • 1 percent (1-in-100): Percentage of time that no player holds an Ace or a King at a table in a 10-handed game

  • 1 percent (1-in-100): Percentage of time that if you hold two suited cards, you’ll flop a flush

  • 6 percent (about 1-in-20): Percentage of time that five community cards will give pocket suited cards a flush

  • 6 percent (about 1-in-20): Percentage of time that you’ll be dealt a pocket pair

  • 8 percent (about 1-in-12): Percentage of time that you’ll hit at least trips after having a pair on the flop

  • 12 percent (about 1-in-8): Percentage of time that you’ll flop trips if holding a pocket pair

  • 12 percent (about 1-in-8): Percentage of time that two more cards will flop in the same suit as a suited pocket pair

  • 19 percent (about 1-in-5): Percentage of time that the five community cards will at least trip your pocket pair

  • 32 percent (about 1-in-3): Percentage of time that you’ll pair one of your cards on the flop (with no pocket pair)

  • 33 percent (about 1-in-3): Percentage of time that you’ll make a full house or better after having trips on the flop

  • 35 percent (about 1-in-3): Percentage of time that you’ll make a flush on the turn or river if you have four cards to a flush after the flop

Texas Hold’em Bluffing Tips

What makes any poker game exciting, and Texas Hold’em is certainly no exception, is that players can bluff at any point. Sometimes half the fun of a game is seeing whether you can successfully bluff an opponent out of some money. But, even as you’re misleading your opponents, make sure you bluff in the right circumstances. Heed these bluffing tips:

  • Only bluff where it makes a difference to your standing — either in a tournament or to your stack of chips.

  • Be careful bluffing someone considerably worse than you are. He may call just to see what you have, or on some probabilistically low draw when he already has you beaten anyway.

  • Bluff in situations where the board hints at the great hand you do not have: straights and flushes being hinted at by the board, the turn of an Ace, and so on.

  • Don’t try to bluff players who only play the most solid of hands if they’re still in the pot.

  • Don’t bluff people who are extremely likely to call.

  • Do bluff the timid or people who are likely to fold.

  • Remember that it’s easier to bluff in No-Limit than Limit because the bets (both implied and real) are bigger.

Poker Etiquette for Texas Hold’em

The etiquette tips in the following list apply to Texas Hold’em and to any other poker game. Sure, you can have fun while you play poker, but you can have all the fun you want without being impolite to the other players or the dealer. Basic poker etiquette includes these tips:

Proper Poker Etiquette Games

  • Always play in turn.

  • Be aware of when it’s your turn to post the blinds and do so promptly.

  • Any time there is a discrepancy at the table, talk to the dealer — not the other players — about it. If you’re not able to get satisfaction from the dealer, ask for a floorperson. Talking with other players about the problem you perceive may generate ill will among people who have no authority in the situation in the first place.

  • Place your bets in front of you. Do not splash them into the pot.

  • Do not show your hand to other players at the table while a hand is in progress.

  • Tell the dealer when you intend to raise. In No-Limit, gather the amount that you’re going to raise and either announce the total, or move it all forward with one motion. This prevents being called on a “string raise.”

  • Don’t forget to tip your dealer. Dealers work for minimum wage and rely on tips for their livelihood.

Online Poker Abbreviations for Texas Hold’em

Proper Poker Etiquette Signs

Playing online poker in general, and Texas Hold’em in particular, is a very popular pastime. When you’re online, you may encounter abbreviations specific to the world of poker. To understand what other players are saying, get familiar with these online abbreviations:

Proper Poker Etiquette Party

AbbreviationWhat It MeansAbbreviationWhat It Means
86To remove or banne1Anyone
brbBe right backnhNice hand
gc/ncSlightly sarcastic phrase meaning good catch/nice catchggGood game
lolLaughing out loudglGood luck
nlNo-LimittyThank you
n1Nice one🙂Smiley face (view sideways)