Home Poker Game Etiquette & Rules

Home poker etiquette involves being aware of and complying with game rules and customs and behaving as a decent, respectful person. Poker is a social activity as well as a game. Like any game there are rules to be followed. Like any social activity there are behavioral customs and expectations. While observing home poker etiquette and poker rules may not make you a better player, it will make you someone who others will enjoy inviting to their home poker games.

In home poker games you are usually playing with friends, acquaintances, neighbors or relatives. Home poker etiquette is, therefore, often less formal. But, that does not mean poker etiquette or rules should be ignored. Here are some basic expecations applied especially for home poker games. Additional considerations for casino poker etiquette then follow.

Respect Your Host

Be mindful that you are a guest in someone's home. You were taught how to behave in that situation when you were a youngster. Just because there is a poker game going on does not give you liberty to behave any differently. Respect your host and your host's home and thank them at the end of the session. If you are a frequent guest at others' games, but do not reciprocate by hosting a game yourself, consider bringing a gift every so often. Your host will appreciate the gesture, even it is as simple as some new decks of cards.

Attendance
	When you accept an invitation to play in a home game you should honor it. Other people are expecting you to show up. If something comes up that prevents you from playing you should inform the host or organizer as soon as possible so that they can find another player.

Home poker games typically have designated starting and ending times. Obviously, you should get there on time. What about leaving? Generally, you will be expected to stay until the end, barring some unforseen emergency that may arise or unless you have made it clear from the start that you must leave early. You certainly have the right to leave whenever you want whether winning, losing or even. Exercising that right is the potentially problematic part. While no one is going to stop you from leaving early you may run the risk of not being invited back, especially if you leave as a big winner.

Be Clear About Expectations

This is something that applies to both those who are hosting the game and inviting others to play as well as the players who are attending. It is especially vital for new players to the group. Make sure everyone has an understanding about the expectations. Necessary information should include many of the basic rules and topics discussed here. Very important are money matters, including such things as the stakes or limits being played and minimum bankroll or buy in. Be sure to bring enough money to play. (Recommendation: approximately 100 times the largest bet.) Do not rely on playing on credit or borrowing from others unless you have been told it is allowed. Never play in a game or under circumstances where you can not afford the level of loss you may incur. Do not invite anyone to play that you know can not afford it.

Dealing & Handling Cards

The cards that have been dealt to you should remain in clear sight on the table. In a game such as draw poker you can pick them up to look at them, but the cards must always remain visible to the other players. Don't show your cards to other players or spectators during the hand, even if you have dropped out. It is your obligation to protect your cards from being accidentally mixed with discarded or "mucked" cards. Should that happen, your hand is declared dead. When folding, discard in way that does not expose any of your cards. If you accidentally expose any of your cards, that is just too bad, you are not entitled to replacement cards.

When you are dealing the cards you must do so in a manner that protects the identity of the cards. Hold the deck in your hand close to the table surface and slightly tilted away from you so no one can see the bottom card. Deal the cards close to the table surface as well, so that no one can see a card as it is dealt. Never play with the deck in the midst of a hand or do anything that others might think is intended as trying to peek at upcoming cards. When you are the dealer it is your obligation to pay attention and deal the cards properly since your mistakes can end up costing other players money.

If the dealer exposes a player's card that card is ruled "dead" and a replacement card is provided. The player is not entitled to decide if he wants to keep the card or not. Any card exposed in this situation must be displayed to the other players so that everyone is aware of it. If a replacement card is needed it is usually provided after all the other cards are dealt in their usual order. For example, if dealing holdem the dealer exposes the second card dealt to player 6, the original sequence of dealing should be observed. That is, the very next card is dealt to player 7 and likewise to the other players in order. Once all the other players cards have been dealt player 6 gets his exposed card replaced.

Do not bend, fold, cut or mark the cards in any way. You may be suspected of cheating. Don't take out your anger of losing by ripping up the cards. Even if they are your cards you'll look like a jerk. If they are not yours you have no right to destroy someone's property. You risk either never being invited back, or getting your deck ripped up when it's your turn to host the game.

Actions

Following proper actions is one of the most important things you can do. You should always be paying attention to the action at the table and act only when it is your turn. Do not announce your action before  it is your turn. Prematurely disclosing your intention may give you or another player an unfair advantage. You also must never fold unless there has been a bet. No matter how bad your cards are, if you are first to act or it has been checked to you, you must check as well. Folding in the absence of a bet could give another player an unfair advantage.

There are only four actions you can take during a poker hand: check, bet, raise, fold. When it is time to take your action just verbally announce what you are doing. Bear in mind, you can make only one of these actions per turn. The classic violation of this rule is called a "string bet" in which a player says something like: "I call your bet and raise you...". You cannot both call and raise in the same turn. Whatever you say first is the only thing that is allowable, so in this example you have called. When you want to raise just say "raise". You may also find yourself in a string bet situation if you move chips into the pot in two separate motions. That is, putting the amount of chips out to call the bet, then returning to your stack and placing a raise out there. Place all the chips out at once. Also keep in mind that your verbal declaration is binding. Once you've said it you've done it. If you say something like "I guess I fold. Oh, wait! I call" you've folded.

As already mentioned, you should verbally announce each of your actions, that way there is no ambiguity of what you are doing. There are, however, some situations in which a non-verbal action signals your intention: Tapping the table in front of you with your hand/fingers will be taken to mean you "check". If you move a single overvalued chip into the pot without announcing a raise in a limit game it will be taken to mean you are just calling. Throwing your cards away or turning your hand face down in stud means you have folded. It is always preferable to make a verbal declaration along with non-verbal actions. This is especially true when your intention is to make a raise.

Don't take an excessive amount of time to make your actions. Most of your decisions will be fairly straight forward and they only take a moment to make. There will be times where you will need to think something through and when those situations arise just say you are going to need some extra time. But, if you continually make the other players wait while you ponder your hand it will annoy them. They may also feel you are deliberately trying to get the next player to act prematurely and thus potentially gain an advantage.

Showing Called Hands

When a hand is called at the end it is the player who made the bet who must reveal their hand first. But, rather than engage in any bantering back and forth you might as well just show your cards. You are going to need to show to win, anyway. If requested, all hands, including the losers, must be shown in a called hand. Never deliberately delay revealing what you think is the best hand, something that is refered to as "slow rolling". In a "slow roll" a player with a powerful hand lets all the other players reveal and announce their hands. Someone thinks they have made the winning hand, then the slow roller reveals the actual winner. Another similar move is to say something like "I have 2 pair...both are aces" when you have four of a kind. You will not win any friends with these kinds of "bush league" moves.

Don't Make it Personal, Don't Take it Personally

Poker is a game. Checking, betting, raising and folding are just the tactics used in that game. Don't mistake them as expressions of emotion. They are not personal barbs aimed at you by others, or by you toward others. A bet or raise is not an act of malevolence. Another player bets or raises you because they have a hand that warrants that action, not out of meanness. A check is not an act of kindness. You check because your hand warrants that action, not because you are nice. Don't take these things personnally.

Table Talk

During the play of a hand keep the talk focused on the game and avoid social conversation. If you are not involved in the hand you should keep quiet. Never discuss or do anything that could reveal information about your hand or other players' hands. An obvious violation would be to blurt out something like "darn, I folded a pair of deuces!" when favorable cards hit the table. Avoid showing any reaction either verbally or physically to the cards or the play during a hand. Other inappropriate comments would be to encourage one player to call or raise another or to indicate what cards or hand you think another player is holding.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Although this point of etiquette is commonly ignored in a friendly home game, it is generally improper to ask the winning player what his hand was in an uncalled hand. In poker you are supposed to pay to see the other players' cards. If it is another player asking you what you had in that situation, you are under no obligation to tell. And, should you choose to reply, you are under no obligation to be truthful.

Whining & Bragging
	Everyone who plays poker has had losing sessions and received their share of bad beats. Quite frankly, no one is interested in hearing about yours, so you might as well keep them to yourself. While you may hear some seemingly sympathetic responses, no one really cares, they are just trying to be polite.

You are going to lose some hands with excellent cards that you felt had no possibility of being beaten. Other players are going to suck out on you every so often. It is part of poker and you have to take it in stride. No yelling, cursing or other childish behavior. No one wants to play with a jerk. Don't be one.

Just as no one is interested in hearing you whine, others especially do not want to listen to you brag. People are going to take offense to you saying something like "Thank you boys and girls. I won $100 tonight". There are a couple of reasons for this: One is that they have been playing with you and already know you won, so your comment will be seen as rubbing it in. Another is that the money you are stuffing into your pocket used to belong to them. If someone asks you how much you won, just give a simple answer, but otherwise, don't volunteer the information.

There can actually be a practical reason not to brag about your winnings: You'd like to have people think you are an average player, not a consistantly winning one.

Giving Lessons

Appointing yourself a poker instructor and giving lessons at the table is not something you want to do. Most people will consider it to be a form of bragging about how good a player you are or criticism of how poorly they play. Assuming you actually know what you are talking about a few people may actually listen to what you say and learn something. If you're a good player why give away your secrets?

If a new or novice player is attending your home game, you should certainly give him instructions regarding the rules and play of each game. And, as a new player it is okay to ask questions if you are unsure about something. But, during the play of a hand, any information asked for or given should be restricted to rule or procedural issues, not strategy or decision making. As examples, it would be fine to state that in Omaha the player must use exactly 2 cards from their hand and 3 from the board. It would not be okay to give advice on what hand you think he will need to win. Talk strategy before or after the game. If you play any of the dealer's choice games we describe, encourage a new player to use HomePokerEdge.com to familiarize themselves with them.

Sorry?

Occasionally you will hear a player say "sorry" to another after beating him out of a pot. Don't apologize for winning. Isn't that the objective? Many people will consider your "sorry" to be an insult, since it is insincere. You know you're not really sorry, the player you beat knows it and so does everyone else at the table. Those in your friendly home game may let your comment slide. But in a serious game you are likely to get a decidedly angry response. If you wish, acknowledge that you were very lucky to win, but don't apologize.

Likewise, in tournament play, do not apologize for eliminating another player from the tournament. Refrain also from making the initial offer to shake hands with the eliminated player. Some players may be upset about losing and not wish to engage in a show of sportsmanship. Leave it to them. Shake their hand if they offer it, otherwise don't concern yourself about it.

The proper place for "sorry" at the poker table is the same as in any other social encounter: when you've done or said something that you should apologize or excuse yourself for.

Collusion

Player collusion is cheating. It must never be allowed, even if it appears to be unintentional. Collusion occurs when two or more players openly act together to influence the play of a hand. Obvious examples would be when one player says to another something like "I think if you and I keep betting and raising we can get Joe to fold" or "If we all check, Sue won't be able to keep raising us". Of course there are some much less obvious or more subtle methods of collusion. Whenever a player says or does something that is intended to influence others to play a hand in some type of coordinated fashion you and the other players should speak up and stop it.

In a tournament, when one player is all-in and two or more other players are also in the hand, it is customary for the others to check rather than bet. This is especially the case when reaching the money. Each knows that playing that way will increase the chances of eliminating the all-in player. As long this happens without any prompting or comment it is perfectly alright. However, it would never be permissable for a player to say anything or to "remind" the others about this tactic.

Another form of collusion in tournament poker is to "softplay" an opponent. It is particulary wrong once players have reached the money. Most commomly this occurs between two players who know one another. When they are heads up in a hand they simply check it all the way no matter how powerful their hand may be. Softplaying allows them to conserve their chips and prevents either of them from hurting or knocking out the other. At first glance this may not seem problematic. After all, if no one else is in the hand how does it adversely affect the other players? But remember, with each player that is eliminated the others move up in prize money. When others are softplaying it makes it more difficult for the other players to advance. Imagine this situation: There are 3 players left in a tournament, you and 2 others. If they are playing honestly and one of them knocks out the other, you advance to 2nd place and make more money. But, if they are softplaying one another that will not occur. You will not advance in the prize money unless you knock them out yourself. You are essentially playing against a team.

Other Unethical Behavior

Occasionally a player will misread his hand and state he has a better hand than he actually does. It's a mistake that anyone could make once in a while. But deliberately miscalling a hand in order to try to get the other players to fold should never be done. Always make a player who claims to have the best hand show it. Never muck your hand until you see you are beaten. It should go without saying, that engaging in any unethical behavior is certainly a violation of etiquette as well.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS for CASINO POKER ETIQUETTE

Whatever is expected with home poker etiquette will also be expected when you are playing in a casino poker room, only more so. At home you know the people you are playing with and against. They are likely to be more understanding of your behavior. At a casino you are playing against strangers, so casino poker etiquette tends to be more formal. They will have no reservations about pointing it out should you violate a rule or behave poorly. Additionally, a casino is a highly regulated place of business. They are also going to expect you to treat their employees and customers appropriately and follow their rules.

Find & Follow the Rules

Each casino will post their particular rules of play and standards of behavior somewhere. If not posted, rules may be in a printed pamplet at the check-in desk. Make sure you find and read them, especially if it is your first time playing or its been a while since you where there. Those are the rules you are going to be held to so you need to know them. Some common standards may include banning cell phones, smoking or communicating in a foreign language while at a table. If there is a bad beat jackpot or other bonus offered, be sure to read those eligibility requirements. Before you push all your money into a pot you better know if your hand qualifies. While you could ask for an explaination right in the middle of a hand, that tends to give away what you have.

Buying or Exchanging Chips

If practical, it is usually better to get your chips at the poker room cashier window or "cage" before you are seated. While you can exchange cash for chips at the table, it stops the game while the dealer attends to it and so may annoy the other players. Regardless of where you buy your chips, never hand money directly to casino personnel when you do so. Place money in front of them and let them pick it up. Follow a similar protocol when exchanging chips for cash. You will not be able to cash out at the table. It must be done at the cashier window. The dealer can exchange your smaller chips for larger denominated chips ("coloring up") if you ask.

Don't Blame the Dealer
	Your poker room dealer is there to serve you. If you lose a hand it is not the dealer's fault. The shuffling of cards is random (unless you're in some crooked game) so the cards you get are random. There is an element of luck in poker and sometime you will get unlucky and lose. Suck it up and take it like a man (or woman). Do not abuse the dealer.

On the Table

The only things that should be on the table are the cards and chips (or cash). You can also usually have a small object to act as a card "protector". Once placed on the table any cash or chips must remain there. You can not put it back in your pocket until you leave the game. You also are not allowed to put additional money on the table during the play of a hand, though it is perfectly fine to do so between hands. Keep other things like drinks and food off the table.

Actions
	Your actions at the table are the same as in a home game. It is equally as critical that you make them properly in a casino. In fact, observing proper actions is one of the most important contributions you can make toward observing poker etiquette.

Handling Cards

Proper handling of cards is also very important in a casino. Never take your cards off the table. Never touch another players cards or chips. Never mark the cards in any way. Such actions will place you under suspicion of cheating and casinos (as well as their state regulators) do not take kindly to cheating. Never throw the cards at another player or the dealer. It is imperative you protect your hole cards from being accidentally mucked, so place a chip on top of them. Be especially careful if you are sitting to the dealer's immediate right or left. Those seats are the ones most prone to the dealer accidentally taking and mucking your cards.

Splashing the Pot
	Professional poker room tables usually have a bet line. Place all you bets or raises in front of you and inside that line. If there is no line, place them out about a foot in front of you. Never toss chips directly into the pot ("splashing" the pot). At the end of each betting round the dealer will collect all the bets and move them into the pot.

Table Talk

There is going to be a lot less social conversation in a casino, especially during the play of a hand, so generally keep quiet. The usual avoidance of bragging, whinning, gloating, "sorry" or insulting remarks is quite important. Do not exhibit a reaction, either verbally or physically, to the cards or play. Never ask another player what his cards were in an uncalled hand. If a disagreement develops stay out of it unless you are involved in the hand or you are asked for information. Let the dealer or floor personnel handle it.

Changing Seats or Tables
	Sometimes you might want to change your seat at the table or move to another table altogether. If you want to stay at your table, but move to another seat just ask the dealer. Depending upon what position you moved from and to, you may have to post an additional blind. If you want to move to another table, ask the floor person.

Taking a Break

Once at a table, if you want to take a break, there may be some rules that come into play, so it is best to check with the dealer to find out. If you want to take a lengthy break, for example for a meal, there will probably be a limit (usually 1 hour) on the time you can be away from the table. Stay away for longer than that and you'll probably lose your seat. When you take a lengthy break, it is a good idea to leave your comp card on the table with your chips. If you stay away too long and your chips are removed they will be identified. When another player or 2 are already away from the table, there may be additional restrictions on how long a break you can then take. For example, there might be something like a "ten minute" rule or "third person out" rule where the 3rd person to leave the table for a break must be back in just 10 minutes. Any time you leave for a break but are intending to return, you must leave your chips at the table. Whenever you take your chips with you, you are giving up your seat.

Who is Enforcing the Rules?

The answer to this is not always clear. The table dealer is in charge of assuring that the game is played according to the procedural rules. For example, the dealer will make sure players act in proper order or determine the winning hand. These are rules that apply to the entire game. But, remember, poker is played between the players at the table. It is the players' money at stake, not the casino's. Therefore, there may be other rules which involve actions between players that the dealer will not enforce unless a player points it out. This most commonly involves string betting/raising or adding money during a hand. Even if the dealer observes it, unless another player objects, the rule might not be enforced by the dealer. But, remember this other very important point of poker etiquette: if you are not an active participant in the hand keep quiet. It is not your place to point it out.

While dealers generally do an excellent job, they are human and they can make mistakes. It is ultimately your responsibility to protect your own interests, so be observant and speak up immediately if you think something is not right. This is especially the case if you think you have won or split a pot and the chips are being pushed toward another player. If a dealer makes a ruling against you, you should expect an explaination of what the rule is and how it has been applied. If you are not satisfied, it is your right to ask to have it decided by one of the floor personnel. They will have the final say.

Choping the Pot

In a cash game when everyone folds pre-flop up to the small blind it is often customary to "chop the pot". Each of the blinds takes back their chips and a new hand is dealt. If the hand goes to a flop, the house will take a rake from the pot. So, while this is totally voluntary between the two remaining players, it is usually to your advantage to chop. I suggest you ask the other player if they wish to do this or agree to it if they ask you. This type of pot chopping is not applicable to tournament play.

A form of chopping that may arise in a tournament involves the remaining players reaching an agreement to split prize money. The point of etiquette in that situation is that the terms of any arrangement or deal is subject to negotiation and it must be agreed to by all the remaining players. You are under no obligation to accept a deal if you don't want to. Nor should you bully another player into making one or try to get them to agree to a decidedly unfair arrangement. See our Tournament page for more thoughts on tournament deal making.

Tipping Etiquette

Tipping or "toking" the dealer is going to be expected of you when you win a decent sized pot in a cash game. You need not go overboard with this, however. Watch the game and see what seems to be the customary tip and use that as your guide. Don't feel obligated to tip at all if the pot is meager, if the dealer has been sloppy, rude or made a mistake that cost you money. Don't be overly impressed by a player who seems especially generous. They might be an off-duty dealer themselves.

If you make a payout in tournament play a tip is also customary. It can vary widely depending upon how much you won, but somewhere between 2-5% is usually sufficient, while 10% would be the maximum. In some tournaments part of the entry fee may be designated for tips to the dealers, so it is a good idea to ask about that when registering. If that is the case a tip becomes more optional. You can still give one if you wish, but a lesser amount.

Another situation that calls for a tip is if you are fortunate enough to win a bad beat jackpot or a high hand bonus jackpot. Depending on the size of your winnings, 5% is often sufficient up to a maximum of 10%. Typically, this would go to the dealer, but if one of the floor personnel is involved in a significant way (more involved than just filling out the IRS form), some portion of the tip could go to them.