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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