A Lesson in Poker Etiquette
By the PokerStrategyKing

Have you ever found yourself sitting at a game and found yourself feeling uncomfortable by the actions or words of your opponents? Have you ever actually seen real conflicts caused by these antics? Are you ever the reason for this air of discomfort? If so, today’s column focuses on how players should behave and behavior that should be avoided during play. The same theories apply whether it is a live game or online.

A game of online poker means you're playing with real people around the world, and that means just like any social situation, there's some etiquette you should really follow as a common courtesy to other players to ensure the games go smoothly.

Here are some general rules you should follow:

Don’t use foul language. I see this all the time. Most rooms have software built in that doesn’t display curse words but people have found creative ways around it. If you get beat, deal with it. If you catch someone bluffing, deal with that too. It’s poker and getting beat and bluffing are parts of the game. If you can’t handle the swings, then you shouldn’t be playing. Just use discretion and don’t be disrespectful.

Don't Talk About A Hand While It's In Progress. Poker is a game where information is of the utmost importance. If a hand is over, fine, talk all you want, but if you fold especially, you shouldn't be using any chat features to tell players what you had in your hand, it's information the active players shouldn't have. So what if you folded your pair of 8’s. The guy playing his hand looking for an 8 may drop out and you’d be taking money out of someone’s pocket. There's no reason to ever speak about your hand while a round is in play.

Try Not To Slow The Game Down. There's usually a time limit in place for each player to take their action on each turn, but these timers can be anywhere from 30-60 seconds per player - which, with an 8 player game and multiple rounds would take a long time. These timers are put there as a courtesy to both you and the other players; for you - if your Internet connection becomes temporarily impaired you can often avoid missing your turn. For others, they don't have to wait 10 minutes for players that like to think about it a little too much.

In fact, most poker rooms allow you to make your decision for the round before the decision even gets to you. If you know you're going to check or fold, click check or fold and you'll automatically check if you can or fold if a bet is made. When everyone does this a round can take only seconds instead of minutes, and everyone is generally happier with the smoother play.

Be patient. If playing poker online and a guy is taking forever to make a move and it's a first time thing, let it go. Good chance he's having connection problems which will eventually happen to you one day as well.

Avoid collusion. Online poker rooms have security staff watching for irregular play at the tables and/or suspicious activity. Keep all chat between other players in English and don't discuss hands while they are being played. Remember, act the same way you want to be acted upon.

Avoid vulgar usernames when playing at an online poker room. Act like an adult, don't do it. This doesn't mean don't select one thats not intimidating, it means don't select one thats offensive. Wicked Will is acceptable. Big Wanker is not.

In a live game, the rules are generally the same but with some variation. As a general rule of thumb it could be said that you should act the way you'd like to be treated and not cause problems at the table. Listed below, you'll find a list of things one should seriously consider when playing poker versus others at a table

Stay Sober. Nothing is worse than a drunk at the table, except perhaps a belligerent drunk. Others should not have to put up with intoxicated behavior at the table. If you can’t handle your drinking save it for after the game.

Be kind to others and don’t get nasty with other players including the dealer. Neither is tolerable or allowed. If you bend the rules too much, you will likely be escorted out. Why do that?.

Don’t consistently play slowly. It can be a great strategy because it surely takes people out of their game but I recommend against abusing this. Acting slowly repeatedly will only turn more and more people against you. It can be a great strategy for those with no conscience, but on the flip side you may end up finding yourself sitting at a table that everybody has gotten up and walked away leaving you sitting there by yourself. Keep this tactic for online play if at all.

Watch your language. As I stated before, keeping curse words and foul language to a minimum is highly recommended. As a rule of thumb, don't do or say anything that wouldn't make your mother proud.

Wait your turn. If you want to fold, call, or whatever, wait until it's your turn. I shouldn’t even need to explain this further.

Don’t splash the pot. This is very rude and makes it hard for everybody to figure out what you bet. It take's literally no effort to stack your chips neatly which is much more appreciated by all.

Don’t offer advice to other players sitting at the table. This creates tensions that run high because it affects other players hands. This isn’t a seminar, it’s a poker game, remember that.

Don't leave the table to avoid blinds. This is just not cool and you'll get kicked out faster than your head can spin if your figured out to be doing this. Just play fair.

Win and lose with dignity. Don't gloat when you win a hand. Gain the respect of others by acting like you've been there. Also, making fun of others is horrendous. No one at the table respects people who behave like this. When you lose, do so gracefully. Losing happens regardless of how good you are and bad beats happen. Don't swear or throw cards if you lose. Even if you’re not a pro, try to act like one.

We hope that you'll exercise the poker etiquette listed above and play your role in keeping poker the most respectable sector of gambling.

Until next time, may the chips fall your way.

(For more poker strategy and tips, please visit the PokerStrategyKing’s website at www.pokerstrategyking.com)