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Poker Etiquette and Customs

Since playing poker involves a group of people, everyone at a poker table are expected to behave in a manner that will lead to a fair game. Like most other gambling games, poker too has its own unwritten rules and customs that all poker players should abide by. Included in this article are several of the more important customs and unwritten rules in a typical poker game.

One of the cardinal rules in poker, and other table games, is to wait for your turn before you play. Playing in turn will ensure a much smoother game experience for everyone involved. For most poker games, a betting round starts off with a bet by the player to the leftmost side of the dealer. Play then moves in a clockwise fashion around the table. Never interrupt the other player's turn by asking the dealer for cards or placing a bet before your turn.

The next rule is to never place your cards where other players or the dealer can't see them -- like holding them below the table. Even if you have no intention of cheating, the act of placing them out of sight is still considered as suspicious behavior and is likely to be frowned upon. For all they know, you could be switching cards or marking them.

If you're going to place a bet, don't put the chips directly into the pot. This is called "splashing", another practice that poker players and dealers disapprove of. The proper way of placing a bet is by simply sliding your chips in front of you. This makes it easier for the dealer and other players to ascertain the amount you're betting.

Avoid discussing the hands in play with other players -- or to anyone else for that matter -- until the round of play is over. Also, don't rummage through the cards that were folded by the other players or through the deck itself. This behavior is just plain annoying, plus it slows down the game and could even stop it entirely.

However, if you suspect an error was made, then calling "time" would be the appropriate thing to do. This way, you can examine the other cards to resolve the problem. This isn't a viable technique though, and should only be done for a limited numbers of times and most importantly, only when you honestly think that an error was made.

Many of the rules and customs mentioned above are also applicable to other card and table games. You might not see them posted in a casino or beside the poker table, but be aware that these rules and customs are always in place.