Poker Etiquette

PRINCIPLES OF POKER ETIQUETTE

Issues presented in this Article are not rules, per se, but relate to the orderly maintenance of the game and civility among those who participate in the game. A player who repeatedly violates these principles of Poker Etiquette is a disruption to the game, and accordingly is subject to discipline, up to and including ejection from the game and being suspended or barred from the cardroom. The dealer shall call a floorperson to the table regarding improper behavior either at the request of a player or any time when the orderly flow of the game is impeded by violations of poker etiquette. Application of this principle rests completely within the discretion of the floorperson, who must exercise particularly good judgement in enforcing it, since many of the issues involved are subjective. That subjectivity is the reason these matters are not presented as rules. As noted in certain other rules, the floorperson should enforce these principles of etiquette less stringently with inexperienced players. Notwithstanding that, a player shall respect and play the game in conformity with the principles of poker etiquette.

TALKING, CRITIQUING, ETC

Players should not talk across a player who is involved in a hand. (In the United Kingdom NO talking is allowed during the play of a hand. There is much to be said for implementing this rule in the United States.) A player who has won a pot should not needle a player who has lost the pot. No player should critique another's play. No player should give lessons at the poker table. While acting is a part of the game, a player should not engage in deceptive conduct which delays the game, or which abuses other players at the table. A player should not criticize another player for leaving the game; a player may quit at any time without criticism.

TREAT DEALERS COURTEOUSLY

As a practical matter without center dealers there can be no fair, honest, efficient game of poker. The dealer is not responsible for which card comes off the deck, for winning streaks or losing streaks. There are no lucky or unlucky dealers, although sometimes it seems otherwise. Players should treat dealers with respect, and understand that dealers depend on players' tips to support their families and pay their bills. Players should not throw cards violently towards dealers, even into the muck or the dealer's tray, or in any way verbally abuse dealers or call them names; this includes speaking rudely about a dealer to others at the table. Cards should be discarded on a low line of flight so that other players cannot see them, and should be directed to the muck with an effort made to not hit the dealer's hands, and not thrown hard. Chips should be placed as far forward as reasonably possible to make it easier for the dealer to scoop them. Deliberately discarding cards or placing chips beyond the dealer's reach is childish and bad for poker. A player should not stack his chips in a way which interferes with dealing or other players' viewing of cards or to conceal how much money the player has in action.

STALLING

A player should not use an excessive amount of time to make a play one knows will be made or in any other way deliberately stall the action of the game. At showdown player should immediately muck his hand when he knows it will not take the pot.

TABLE SPACE

A player should manage his table space in such a way as to be fair and reasonable to other players. In card rooms where tables are provided behind players, nothing should be permitted on the table except for chip and cash and a token with which to cover cards. In cardrooms that do not provide tables a player shall confine his personal belongings--drinks, ashtrays, etc-- to the area immediately in front of him. A player shall have the right to ask the dealer to have another player move his belongings if they infringe on that player's table space.

LEAVING THE TABLE

If leaving the game for an extended period a player should advise the floorperson and the dealer. Unless the player has a strong objection or it is prohibited by the rules of the establishment, the player should advise the dealer and floorperson that it is permissible for another player to play over the player who will be absent.

PEEKING

A player should not lean over or back to see another player's cards, however if he is able to see them without making an inordinate effort he is not obliged to look away. However it is proper for an opponent to complain when a player constantly has the opportunity to see another's hole cards.

DELIBERATE OBSTRUCTION

No player should deliberately act out of turn, deliberately stall, deliberately splash, or reveal the contents of his hand (regardless of whether or not he is active in the pot,

CLARIFY ACTION VERBALLY

A player should verbally announce his action so there is no confusion. A player going all-in or playing behind should announce that fact to the dealer, who shall make sure the entire table is aware of it. A player stepping away from the table when his blinds are due should advise the dealer of his intention in button games; in stud games a player should indicate if he intends to ante and take a hand.

EXPEDITING THE GAME

A player should assist in the orderly conduct of the game. A player should know when it is his turn, put blinds and antes in timely, use increments of correct change and stack his chips in such a manner as to not interfere with the dealer's pitch. If the pot is raked a player should put the small change in the pot (particularly in the blinds) to make it easier for the dealer. A player should pass his cards to the dealer or muck in a proper manner. A player who expects to win the pot should show down his hand immediately. Players should limit rabbit hunting and set-up and deck changes and asking to see called hands unnecessarily.

ABUSE

Verbal or physical abuse of other players, dealers, spectators and others shall not be tolerated. Any abuse of others in the cardroom is grounds for immediate discipline, including but not limited to ejection, suspension and barring from the card room. Throwing cards shall be deemed abuse.

SLOWROLLING

At the showdown no player who holds a hand he believes to be the best hand should declare or reveal his hand in such a way so as to lead his opponents to believe they hold the winning hand, when he knows in fact they don't. Such behavior is antithetical to the spirit of the game.