There are some basics that every play should obey
whenever involved in a public poker game.
First and foremost, keep your cards face-down to all
other players until you reach a showdown. Whenever you
fold, hand in your cards face-down. Again never expose
these cards to others. In a showdown, you may either
turn up your cards if you are the last person to raise
or if your hand is superior to the hands previously
exposed. Depending on the local rules, etiquette
violations can result in the forfeiture of the hand.
When raising the bet, place all the chips, both your
call and your raise in one motion; it is improper to do
two hand gestures unless you state your intentions
prior.
In a public card room, always respond immediately a
dealer?s request. If you are asked to cease any activity
by a dealer, or for that matter any other representative
of the cardroom, you
should cease that activity immediately.
Damaging cards is strictly forbidden and will result in
immediate removal from the game.
Never give indication that poor hands are the fault of
the dealer and never ask a dealer to "switch decks".
Such an action will only anger other players at the
table. More than likely the dealer will not respond or
if he/she does, it will only serve to slow down play.
Always speak English in an American
cardroom. Generally
speaking, if the dealer or the house cannot understand
what you are saying, they may think you are attempting
to collude with someone else in the game.
Abandon your cell phone. If it goes off, it is
distracting, and answering it is a complete no-no.
Talking to someone else during a game may again give an
impression of collusion.
Keep all food and drinks off the table. Better yet, wait
and eat when you want a break for the game.
Never accuse other players of cheating. Cameras in the
room will catch any cheaters before you will.
Keep all of your chips on the table during play. Do not
remove chips from the table to your pockets, or vice
versa, and it is not acceptable to buy chips while a
round is in progress.
Always be ready to play. Holding up game play is
frustrating to others. When the betting comes around,
you should be ready to call, raise or fold. Consistently
taking a long time to decide your course of action will
make you very unpopular with the other players.
Tapping on the table is equivalent to a check while
tossing your cards to the dealer is considered a fold.
Therefore, saying "check" or knocking on the table is a
call. It is also acceptable to place your chips on the
table without speaking but it does commit you to the
value of the chips you set forth or to match the table
maximum, whichever is appropriate.
