(Distributed March 28, 2006)

KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND FOR MAXIMUM POKER ENJOYMENT

Proper etiquette in poker can win friends, create an enjoyable atmosphere, and move the game along. That benefits everyone.

From what I’ve seen, new players drawn in huge numbers to card rooms across the nation are learning correct table manners pretty quickly. Often, it’s the long-time player with entrenched bad habits who slows down the game or spoils the fun.

Even on televised major tournaments, big-name players with credentials that deserve respect turn into mouthy poor sports or throw a tantrum like a baby when things don’t go their way. Not many do this, mind you, but it only takes one to put a damper on a game.

So what should you do for the good of your game? Here’s a list:

* BE READY TO ACT – Pay attention on every hand. Try not to slow things down by betting the wrong amount or failing to promptly post your blinds and antes. Unless you’re playing for megabucks at a final tournament table, your decision to bet, call, raise or fold should take just a few seconds.

* ACT IN TURN – Folding or betting out of turn can change the outcome of a hand. For example, let’s say three players are left at the end of a hand and Player No. 1 bluffs at the pot. Player No. 2 may have a mediocre hand and fear calling because Player No. 3 behind him might raise. If Player 3 mucks prematurely, Player 2 could then see the showdown for just one bet with a hand he otherwise might have folded. Costing someone a pot by acting out of turn is a sure way to make an enemy at the table.

* DON’T BELITTLE OPPONENTS – Don’t chastise another player who snags a pot away from you with a miracle card. Players who always buck the odds will lose in the long run. You want them to keep playing so you can get your money back. Just tap the table twice and say nothing. Or, say “nice hand” or the less-congenial “nice catch.”

* MIND YOUR SPACE – Even on the bigger tables, your defined space often is just enough for your chair and chips. Keep yourself, your chair, your drink, etc. within your space. If you’re crowded by other players, ask the dealer to “square up” the table.

* DON’T SPLASH THE POT – This bad habit seen in home games will draw a warning from a card room dealer. When you throw your bet directly into the pot, no one knows for sure how many chips you tossed. Just put your bet in front of you, about halfway between your cards and the pot. If you have change coming, wait for the dealer to take care of it. Never touch anyone else’s chips.

* DON’T THROW CARDS – Losing a big pot when you were a favorite is frustrating, but madly throwing your cards across the table or into the dealer’s bank just labels you as a poor loser and disrespectful player. Do it more than once and you could be banned for a day or a week.

POKER TERMS

Muck – (v.) To fold your hand; (n.) the pile of face-down cards folded during a hand.

Blind/ante — Forced bets, before the cards are dealt, to initiate the action. In Texas hold’em, the first two players left of the dealer button must post the small and big blinds, respectively. In other games, such as seven-card stud, each player must ante the same amount.

Busted draw – A promising hand, such as a flush or straight, that fails to materialize on the last card.

Showdown – The exposure of all remaining players’ hands after the final betting round ends to determine the winner (or winners in a split-pot game).

Bank – The tray of chips and cash maintained by the dealer.

Flop – The first three exposed community cards in hold’em and Omaha after all players have received their face-down pocket cards and first-round betting is complete.

Turn — The fourth exposed community card after post-flop betting is complete.

River – The final dealt card in a hand, such as the fifth community board card in Texas hold’em or the seventh card, dealt face down, in seven-card stud.

       E-mail your poker questions and comments to russ@luckydogpoker.com for use in future columns. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2006 RUSS SCOTT
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