Texas Hold ‘Em Etiquette for New Players
Like most types of poker (and most reasonably complicated
games in general), Texas Hold ‘Em includes its own
set of unwritten rules of what is proper behavior and what
is not. Most of these rules apply to poker in general, but
all of them apply to Texas Hold ‘Em. Some of them are
more obvious, but some of them are not things that you would
normally think of.
One of the most obvious rules (it’s actually more
of a rule of play than it is a rule of poker etiquette)
is not to fold or call out of turn. The action in poker
travels around the table to the dealers left, and you should
never act until your turn. Acting out of turn can influence
dramatically the decisions of a more experienced player
who understands pot odds and position play. Another big
beginner mistake is pot splashing. In all poker games it
is considered bad form to toss chips into the pot unstacked
(especially since it makes cheating easier). In Hold ‘Em,
however, it is also usually expected that you not put your
chips directly into the pot. Chips you contribute to the
pot should be placed in between yourself and the pot, and
the dealer should move all chips to the middle at the end
of a round when the pot is right.
One important matter of etiquette that will make or break
another players impression of you is touching the pot. In
most decent sized games, the dealer ought to be the only
person who ever touches the chips in the pot once they are
in. Making change from the pot should also be done through
the dealer. If another players wins, you should allow the
dealer to move the chips towards their stack. Do not move
it for them, because it is very easy to palm a clay poker
chip and most players know this.
One less talked about rule of poker manners is particularly
out of hand in most games of Texas
Hold ‘Em. There is a general taboo in regards to
“slow-playing.” If you have an excellent hand,
it’s the last betting action of the game, and you know
that you will call, it is consider bad form to wait it out
and act as though you are thinking. It takes extra time
and places unnecessary stress on the other player(s).
Another thing that should be commented on is the handling
of cards. The general expectations are usually the same
in all places. If you plan to stay in you should place an
object (usually a coin) on top of your hand so that the
dealer does not accidentally take them in with the mucked
and burnt cards. Also, bending the cards is usually unacceptable,
and you are expected to keep your cards close to the table.
When it comes to poker etiquette, each group or organization
has their own rules (which are almost never formalized,
they are simply understood). So, the most important thing
to do when playing in new surroundings is to be generally
curteous and observe the expectations that the group has
of its players. Being a decent poker player isn’t enough
to earn the respect of other poker players. You have to
be a decent and curteous person as well.
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