Poker Etiquette

Act in Turn

This is probably the most fundamental poker etiquette rule to follow and if you don’t follow this then you will certainly find out the nasty side of your opponents and you may well get in trouble with the card room where you are playing.

Acting in Turn means that you shouldn’t act or make any indication of how you are going to act until it is your turn. Even if you are going to fold it is not fair to the other players to let them know you are going to fold, and if you are going to raise, don’t start counting out chips until it is your turn.

Acting out of turn will put either you or your opponents at a disadvantage by letting others know how you are going to act before they have to act. Mistakes happen from time to time but if you consistently act out of turn then it will not be tolerated.

Play at a Reasonable Speed

There is nothing more annoying that having to wait for one particular person to act every single time it’s his or her turn. You shouldn’t be rushed in your decision making process, and it is fine to take the time to think when you have a genuine decision to think over. However be reasonable and think of your opponents and act as quick as possible when it is your turn.

Save Comments until after the Hand

Do not discuss the hand until the hand is over and your comments cannot influence the people involved in the hand. Perhaps the worst instance of this is when somebody folds their hand and the flop comes down A 7 7 and someone blurts out “can’t believe I folded I would have had Quads”. By making comments during the hand you may be giving information to the players who are acting and make it unfair on them.

So whether you are involved in the hand or not, if you have any comments to make then make them after the hand has finished.

“One Player – One Hand”

Concentrate on playing your own hand and do not help other players at the table regardless of how new they are to the game. It’s fine to give them advice on how to act such as the minimum bet they must make, but under no circumstances should you advise them on what play to make.

Be Polite

The final thing is to be nice and polite to your opponents. No one likes the idiot in the corner who is rude to the dealer or other players. Avoid criticizing other people’s play and be modest in victory and courteous in defeat.