Top Rules of Poker Etiquette

Poker Game Etiquette

• Play

  • Act in turn
  • Keep your cards on the table at all times
  • Act in a timely manner. Don't take too long to make your move.
  • If you are not in the hand, don't comment: Don't give advice or information (about the flop or anything) to players who are playing. They are supposed to pay attention themselves.
  • One hand one player: Don't give advice to anyone. Don't pursue them to make any actions. Everyone is grown up enough to make their own decisions.
  • Keep your large denomination chips in front of your stack
  • Don't talk on the phone while playing

• Betting

  • Don't splash the pot.
  • Don't string raise.

• Showdown

  • Don't expose your cards until the hand is over
  • At showdown flip both cards at the same time.
  • Don't slow roll: Slow rolling is to pretend your hand is not good enough and take a long time to reveal your cards at the end while your hand is really the winner. Do not do it - it is very frustrating.

  • Don't check down hands

    This is a very non-friendly practice, so unless you are in a very large tournamet/game stay away from it.

Poker Table Manners

• Be polite

  Poker is a game of bad beats and many frustrations. In such cases, keep your cool down, don't get mad at other players, and don't swear.

• Treat the dealer with respect

  The dealer has nothing to do with your cards. You know that. So be nice to him/her and tip.

• Don't give poker lessons

  No one likes to take poker lessons at the poker table, besides why do you want them to know the right play anyways?

• Follow the house rules

  If you plan to go to a home poker game, plan on following their house rules too.

Visit my House Poker Rules for more information.

External Links

Last updated - November 18, 2007