Poker Etiquette 101

One of the most annoying things when playing poker is being stuck at a table with someone who doesn't know how to act. I am not talking about how to act as in raise, call or fold. I am talking about how to treat the others at the poker table. And this goes for both playing online or in a live casino.

Following basic poker etiquette helps make the game more enjoyable for everyone. When playing just keep these simple suggestions in mind:

1) Don't Play Out of Turn
Playing out of turn is one of the most annoying things a player can do. Wait your turn to raise or to fold. Don't go grabbing chips or throwing your cards down on the table before it is your turn to act. It is unfair
to give away information to other players before they make their own decisions.

2) Don't Talk About Your Cards While the Hand is Still Going On Once you fold, do not talk about what you had, could of had, make faces, grunts, groans etc... Again, this gives other players a good idea of what you had before you folded and can unfairly impact the current hand.

3) Don't Show Your Cards to anyone until the showdown
Again, if players know what you fold, it'll give them information that may change how the rest of the hand plays out. Unless you are all-in and heads up, there is no reason to show or expose your cards until the showdown.

4) Don't Be Rude or Mean
Even if you are in the middle of a really bad losing streak it does not give you the right to curse, be obnoxious and rude to the dealer or other players at the table. Acts like this can really ruin a game.

5) One Player To a Hand
You don't get to receive advice during a hand, and you don't get to give it. Play your own hand and let everyone else play their own hand.

6) Pay Attention
This rule is self-explanatory: Few things are more aggravating than a player who says, "Whose turn is it?" when it's been their turn for several minutes - keep up with the action so the game keeps moving. Talking on cell phones is a bad idea.

Following these simple rules of poker etiquette can help keep the game fair and enjoyable for everyone. They are easy to remember and easy to implement.

About The Author-- Michael Vall is the webmaster of Texas Holdem Poker - a site that offers free Texas Holdem Poker strategy and tips.

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