Poker Basics: Etiquette

Poker can be played in a casino which would give us a chance to try the game in what we can call a formal setting. Another venue we may consider to play poker in is at home or in a friend's place. When in a congenial setting, your home, you can let loose when you play the game. Either way, whether you play poker at home or in a casino there are still rules of etiquette that must be followed by every poker player at the table.

A simple rule of etiquette in poker is to play only when it's your turn. Poker players may get so excited about the game or a great hand that they raise the pot even if it's not their turn to play and make their move. The same also holds true for other decisions you make during a game of poker. Remember not to jump the gun and play out of turn. It's like showing respect for other players as they take their turn in making decisions.

Another rule of poker etiquette is that when you've already folded, you're not supposed to talk about your cards while others are still in the hand. By chatting with another poker player about your cards and speculating what could have happened or what you would have had, you give yourself away. That clearly messes up the other players' game plan (i.e. the ones who are left playing). It's going to be pretty hard for other players to make their move if everybody has an idea what hands to can expect.

The next rule of poker etiquette is almost the same as the previous one. Remember that when you fold during a poker game, you should never show your cards everyone. That's as bad as telling everyone which cards you had. At any rate, that ruins the other player's poker strategy.

What we see in movies don't actually reflect what is in reality. Do you remember a scene in a movie that shows a player dumping all his chips into the pot in sheer frustration and making a mess on the table. Usually that act is followed by other players who jump in the bandwagon. In real life, poker etiquette goes against doing that. The correct way to do it is to place all your chips in a neat stack in front of you.

One last piece of poker etiquette is to pay attention to the game and stop stalling. Don't make it a habit to make everyone remind you that it's already your turn.