The manners of poker - table manners - Stop being an asshole on the table
Premeditated Celebration
Have you ever had a huge hand in poker, won the pot, and just wanted to jump out of your seat and run around the card room screaming like an idiot? Or have you wanted to berate another player at the table who challenged you only to find themselves on the short end of the stick? Has the urge ever struck to stare someone down for a two minute span while they ponder their next move? Chances are though; you've probably never even come close to doing anything like this... at least not in any normal poker setting.
But why not try some of these things? After all, they're fun to do and we all see our favorite professional poker players on television doing them. And what could be more fun than taunting opponents or getting the attention of everyone in the casino through some premeditated celebration?
The fact is though, while doing most of this stuff may sound like it'd be a thrill, our better judgment tells us not to do these things. And for good reason too, because your average casino or local card room won't allow people to do any type of overzealous cheering for oneself and if one does decide to carry on like this, they might find themselves being thrown out on the streets.
To be honest, there are a lot of things shown on TV poker that you'd be better off never doing in a normal setting. And there's also some etiquette that television poker doesn't put enough emphasis on as it's considered to be a waste of air time. But what many people who often watch poker through the tube don't understand, is that many things are either added or cut out all in the name of attracting more viewers.
Leave It To The Pros
The previously mentioned excessive celebration is one thing that is often added by some of the more colorful characters of the poker world to make the game more exciting. And many of these players are loved for jumping out of their seats and yelling or pumping their fists in triumph. However, this is definitely something that is better left to the pros as any unknown will look like a fool to their peers in some of the smaller tournaments and card rooms.
What about the professionals who like to yell at their opponents or give them the Clint Eastwood stare down while they're thinking of what to do next? Talking trash to others at the table is obviously not a good idea unless one is good friends with the person they're directing it at. Doing so to a total stranger can have some serious repercussions after the game (Luckily, most people are smart enough to avoid doing this one).
Looking at someone who is in mid-move can often provide tells that they may be given away through nervous habits or a bad poker face. But one should be careful not to overdo this one as it can anger an opponent at the table and either start an argument, or worse, get the crap beat out of the staring culprit.
So some of the things that television poker adds into the mix should definitely be avoided while, on the other hand, there's also some very important manners that are absent from the TV version of poker. Namely in the form of tipping certain people and making sure not to release one's hand before a pot is given.
Common Courtesy
It is generally common courtesy in a regular casino game or tournament play to tip the dealer after a big pot is won or if one finishes in the high money bracket. The television poker gods have ruled that it isn't interesting to the audience to see the dealer getting tipped (many times tips are held out of the prize money in advance) which can lead many viewers down the path of being downright rude if they ever were fortunate enough to win some big money in a tournament.
Maybe the biggest thing of all that is left off of TV, and should certainly be taken note of, is making sure to hold on to one's hand before a pot is awarded. Televised games always see players who are all in with no action left turn their cards over and throw them towards the dealer so the home audience can see what's on the table.
This is fine in the case of TV as there's plenty of ways to catch what each player has if the cards are accidentally raked into the muck pile. In a regular game though, doing such a thing could cause a huge stir at the table because, if the cards wind up in the muck, it's sometimes hard to prove what a player actually had on the hand and could result in a never ending argument. Just to be safe, hold onto the cards until the pot has been given out.
And just remember, the game of Texas Hold'em can be frustrating enough with all of its ups and downs. Because of this, no one at any table wants to put up with an arrogant, rude, wannabe professional. So try your best to display some manners when playing poker and things will be a lot more enjoyable for everyone involved. At least for everyone who is winning anyway.
Have you ever had a huge hand in poker, won the pot, and just wanted to jump out of your seat and run around the card room screaming like an idiot? Or have you wanted to berate another player at the table who challenged you only to find themselves on the short end of the stick? Has the urge ever struck to stare someone down for a two minute span while they ponder their next move? Chances are though; you've probably never even come close to doing anything like this... at least not in any normal poker setting.
But why not try some of these things? After all, they're fun to do and we all see our favorite professional poker players on television doing them. And what could be more fun than taunting opponents or getting the attention of everyone in the casino through some premeditated celebration?
The fact is though, while doing most of this stuff may sound like it'd be a thrill, our better judgment tells us not to do these things. And for good reason too, because your average casino or local card room won't allow people to do any type of overzealous cheering for oneself and if one does decide to carry on like this, they might find themselves being thrown out on the streets.
To be honest, there are a lot of things shown on TV poker that you'd be better off never doing in a normal setting. And there's also some etiquette that television poker doesn't put enough emphasis on as it's considered to be a waste of air time. But what many people who often watch poker through the tube don't understand, is that many things are either added or cut out all in the name of attracting more viewers.
Leave It To The Pros
The previously mentioned excessive celebration is one thing that is often added by some of the more colorful characters of the poker world to make the game more exciting. And many of these players are loved for jumping out of their seats and yelling or pumping their fists in triumph. However, this is definitely something that is better left to the pros as any unknown will look like a fool to their peers in some of the smaller tournaments and card rooms.
What about the professionals who like to yell at their opponents or give them the Clint Eastwood stare down while they're thinking of what to do next? Talking trash to others at the table is obviously not a good idea unless one is good friends with the person they're directing it at. Doing so to a total stranger can have some serious repercussions after the game (Luckily, most people are smart enough to avoid doing this one).
Looking at someone who is in mid-move can often provide tells that they may be given away through nervous habits or a bad poker face. But one should be careful not to overdo this one as it can anger an opponent at the table and either start an argument, or worse, get the crap beat out of the staring culprit.
So some of the things that television poker adds into the mix should definitely be avoided while, on the other hand, there's also some very important manners that are absent from the TV version of poker. Namely in the form of tipping certain people and making sure not to release one's hand before a pot is given.
Common Courtesy
It is generally common courtesy in a regular casino game or tournament play to tip the dealer after a big pot is won or if one finishes in the high money bracket. The television poker gods have ruled that it isn't interesting to the audience to see the dealer getting tipped (many times tips are held out of the prize money in advance) which can lead many viewers down the path of being downright rude if they ever were fortunate enough to win some big money in a tournament.
Maybe the biggest thing of all that is left off of TV, and should certainly be taken note of, is making sure to hold on to one's hand before a pot is awarded. Televised games always see players who are all in with no action left turn their cards over and throw them towards the dealer so the home audience can see what's on the table.
This is fine in the case of TV as there's plenty of ways to catch what each player has if the cards are accidentally raked into the muck pile. In a regular game though, doing such a thing could cause a huge stir at the table because, if the cards wind up in the muck, it's sometimes hard to prove what a player actually had on the hand and could result in a never ending argument. Just to be safe, hold onto the cards until the pot has been given out.
And just remember, the game of Texas Hold'em can be frustrating enough with all of its ups and downs. Because of this, no one at any table wants to put up with an arrogant, rude, wannabe professional. So try your best to display some manners when playing poker and things will be a lot more enjoyable for everyone involved. At least for everyone who is winning anyway.
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