Local Journal Poker

Poker etiquette

These guidelines are intended to help everyone have as enjoyable game of poker as possible.

Top 3 “No-Nos”

1. Do not reveal your cards while a hand is going on. While it's not against the rules (some places may give a penalty), it is at least a horrible breach of etiquette. If you were not folding, you're hand will be ruled dead. The problem is that it can give one player an advantage over another and potentially ruin a pot for someone.

2. If you folded and your cards would have made a great hand on the flop, don't let everyone know that you would have hit the flop. In fact, don't react to the cards on the board at all. Again, it can potentially ruin a pot by giving some players an advantage.

3. Do not talk about a hand when you aren't in it. (It is also appreciated if players who have folded don't start loud conversations accross the table or from one side of the venue to the other.)

Generally...

Keep an eye on the action. Know when it's your turn to act and don't act out of turn.

Don't get distracted and make other players wait for you, and be quick with calls you don't have to think about. If you need to make or take a phone call on your mobile, or read or send a text message, or perform any other similar modern communications task - fold you cards and leave the table until you're ready to concentrate on the game.

Make sure not to splash the pot. The best way to present a bet is in a neat stack in front of you.

If you decide to show your cards, even though everyone else folded, make sure to show everybody at the table. If you show just one player your cards, anyone else at the table has the right to see them too.

If you are still in a hand, make sure that your cards in front of you are visible to all other players. If they aren't visible, another player may accidentally act out of turn not realising you are still in the hand.

Post your blinds promptly and don't make people have to remind you. It slows down the game.

Don't play around with the dealer button. It needs to be visible and clearly in front of the player in the dealer position at all times.

Do not string bet.