Poker Etiquette
Poker etiquette is not rules, but conduct that relate to the organized maintenance of the game and courtesy among those who partake in the game. A player who frequently violates good table manners is a disruption to the game and should be warned and disciplined if necessary. Use extreme caution when imposing these rules.
Cordiality
- Be polite.
- Do not swear or be verbally obnoxious.
- Be modest when you win.
- Abstain from criticizing another player's play.
- Limit needless chatter to avoid disturbing active players.
- Do not hit on another player, or the dealer, no matter how desirable you find them.
- Be nice to the dealer.
Table Presence
- Manage your table space reasonably.
- Keep your chips and/or money on the table.
- Do not touch another player's chips or cards.
- Do not stack chips in a way that will interfere with the deal, the viewing of cards, or another player.
- Do not move chips and/or money from one player to another.
- Guard your cards so that no one else can see them.
- Keep your cards on the table. Putting cards against your shirt or putting them in your pocket or lap is not acceptable.
- It is proper for an opponent to complain when a player consistently has the opportunity to see another player's hole cards. It is improper to complain when someone exercises this right.
- If you step away from the table please let the dealer know of your intentions.
Play
- Play at a sensible rate of speed.
- It is each player's responsibility to follow the course of the game. Play in turn. Do not act out of turn.
- At no time should any player or onlooker make statements that could unfairly influence the play of a hand.
- Do not comment about the cards you just threw away.
- Refrain from making remarks about possible hands. The board just paired. Someone could have a full boat now!"
- Don't offer or ask for help from other players at the table.
Betting
- Do not splash the pot.
- Do not string bet.
- Verbally announce your action, especially in games with amateur dealers.
- Chips and fold cards should be placed as far forward as practically possible to make it easier for the dealer to handle them.
- When throwing away your hand, do so towards the dealer at a low level of flight so that no other player can see what you have discarded.
- Do not show any cards until the showdown.
The Showdown
- Do not mis-declare your hand.
- Show your winning hand quickly. Do not slow-roll(allow your opponent to think he has won when you know he has not).
- Rabbit hunting (asking to see what cards would have appeared, had you bet) should not be allowed.
- Showing all of your cards. If you win a pot uncontested and decide to show your cards to another player, proper poker etiquette insists that you must show everyone at the table the cards you folded.
Integrity
- Every player must play in his or her own self-interest. Do not "soft play" any other player(s).
- Agreeing to check-down a hand after a player has gone All-in is not acceptable.
- Coffee-housing (speaking during a hand for strategic purposes) is allowed in North America but please use restraint.
- Asking to see called hands without reason is bad manners, a waste of time, and is in general bad for the game.
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