People who play poker often use the term “poor etiquette” to describe the behavior of other players. It could be said by a player who felt that another individual behaved classlessly. Although this article isn’t a full rulebook, it aims to provide some examples of what players would consider being proper.
Always Tip Your Dealer
In poker, it’s generally a good idea to tip the dealer. Like other service industry workers, they rely on tips from customers to make a living, and in some countries, such as the U.S., it’s customary to tip whenever you play a cash game or tournament.
Unfortunately, some people are not happy to tip the dealer. These include professional poker players who realize that the more money they tip, the less they can make from a session. Without dealers, players will not be able to play. If you don’t tip, the dealer will likely find other jobs that pay the bills.
Although it’s generally a good idea to tip the dealer, it doesn’t mean that you have to give the entire stack to him. There is no set amount you should tip, though standard poker etiquette suggests that players tip at least a dollar for every pot they win.
Don’t Angle Shoot
In poker, angle shooting is a legal technique that allows players to gather information from their opponents in a very scummy way. This is why many people in the community are against this practice. In 2017, Alec Torelli was called out by Doug Polk for allegedly doing this during a Poker Night in America stream on YouTube.
Due to the Polk video, Torelli’s reputation took a huge hit. There are many types of angle shoots that are not allowed in poker, and one of these is making a calling motion while facing a bet. This is done to gather information about the opponent’s hand strength.
Although angle shooting is generally considered bad, it is allowed in poker. Some card rooms may issue a penalty, especially during tournaments, for players who make this type of move. Another type of angle shooting that Torelli was accused of doing was intentionally hiding large denomination chips in his stack. This would make his opponent believe that he has a shorter stack.
Avoid Controversial Topics
While there are times and places for certain types of conversations, some people should avoid playing poker with others due to their political beliefs. For instance, most people have strong opinions about certain issues, but nobody can actually be objective when it comes to discussing them.
The goal of poker is to maintain a civil conversation. However, when politics comes up, it can be hard to do so as people in the echo chamber can’t control their emotions.
People who play poker are not interested in engaging in a pointless discussion about politics. They don’t want to hear about biased individuals having a heated exchange while they’re enjoying the game.
Don’t Berate your Opponents
Conducting political debate is not the only way to ruin the game of poker. Berating opponents is also a poor form of etiquette. It’s disrespectful to the other players and should be avoided.
It’s also a poor strategy to encourage others to improve their game. If you’re a player who loses a pot to an opponent who made a poor hand, then why should you complain? You’ll make more money with them playing bad games.
