Poker Etiquette

The world's biggest and most respected casinos have built their reputation on the way they present and conduct major poker games and poker tournaments in their card rooms. Just look at Benny Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas, which has held the world's most prestigious poker tournament, World Series of Poker (WSOP), every year since the 1970s. It is the sort of poker event that has made poker legends out of once unknown poker players. But one thing is for sure: those who make it are professional poker players who know how to act correctly and have little tolerance for those who don't. Poker is traditionally a gentleman's card game governed by some simple rules of etiquette. Knowing how to act decently at the card table will spare you the trouble of disrupting a game and possibly being barred from playing in a public card room.

According to Bob Ciaffone's ROBERT'S RULES OF POKER , the following actions are improper, and grounds for warning, suspending, or barring a violator:

• Deliberately acting out of turn.
• Deliberately splashing chips into the pot.
• Agreeing to check a hand out when a third player is all-in.
• Reading a hand for another player at the showdown before it has been placed faceup on the table.
• Telling anyone to turn a hand faceup at the showdown.
• Revealing the contents of a live hand in a multihanded pot before the betting is complete.
• Needlessly stalling the action of a game.
• Deliberately discarding hands away from the muck. Cards should be released in a low line of flight, at a moderate rate of speed (not at the dealer's hands or chip-rack).
• Stacking chips in a manner that interferes with dealing or viewing cards.
• Making statements or taking action that could unfairly influence the course of play, whether or not the offender is involved in the pot.

In addition, do consider the following forms of misinterpreted conduct:

Card Handling
Learn to look at your cards without exposing them to others; remember that no player is obliged to warn you that they can see your cards. Holding them on your lap or passing them to a friend is grounds for killing your hand. Never show your cards deliberately to another player during the hand, or else both your hands may be declared dead.

Acting in Turn
Folding or calling out of turn is rude, plain and simple. It gives an unfair advantage to players who have yet to act in a round, especially during a showdown when only three players are left. If others after you are acting out of turn while you decide on your move, call “Time!” to signal that you have not yet acted.

Accidental Checking
A verbal declaration or rapping of one's hand on the table is a commonly accepted check signal. But in fast-paced games, players are impatient and may assume your momentary pause as a check. To be sure, declare “Time!” while you decide on your action. And whatever you do, don't tap your fingers nervously. It is a clear check signal and will be considered binding.

Touching Cards or Chips
Only the dealer touches the cards and pot. Other than your own cards and chips, touch nothing. Not the other players' chips and cards, discards, board cards, and especially not the pot.

Taking Breaks
20 to 30 minutes is a decent length of time to get up from the table, go to the restroom, stretch your legs, or however else you want to take a break. Do inform the dealer, and ask him if you need to be away for longer. When taking a break, leave your chips sitting on the table; the dealer is accountable for keeping them safe. Should you miss your blinds while away, you may have to make them up or sit out a few more hands until they reach you again. If many of you are gone from a table, you may all be called back to keep the game going. Those who don't return in time may forfeit their seats.

Correcting Mistakes
It is not unexpected that the dealer or a player may make an occasional mistake, such as miscalling the winning hand at a showdown. Be observant and, if you find such a mistake, do not let the game proceed without calling it out. But it would also be good to note that if you are not involved in the pot where the stakes are high, you must use your best judgment on whether or not to speak up. In these cases, most players simply stay silent.

Tipping
The winner of a pot may give the dealer a customary tip of 50 cents to a dollar, depending on the state and the stakes. You are welcome to tip more but strongly advised against stiffing the dealer. Remember: dealers make their living from tips.

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