Coming around the far turn into the home stretch in this endeavor of playing “Miss Manners” to the poker world, the last four suggestions of things to do – or behavior that is encouraged – are presented. Already addressed have been some “don’ts,” a number of “do’s” and the next issue will summarize everything for players’ edification, enjoyment and taping to the side of their computer for occasional review and re-enlightenment. So, with pun intended and no further a-do (sorry ‘bout that, chief), presented now are the last four things this writer wishes poker players would keep in mind.
5. Do act promptly – or in an appropriate period of time - when the action gets to you. No-one begrudges the use of some time to figure things out but in most cases this isn’t the WSOP and millions of dollars are not at stake. Squinting, hemming and hawing, questions to the opponent, gesturing, posturing, furrowed brow, grinding of mental gears and all the other delaying tactics attempting to get a read on your opponent serve to antagonize and exasperate others and merely earn you honorable mention for the “Worst Acting During a Tournament” award.
6. Do keep higher denomination chips visible to the rest of the table. This is a TDA rule and even in a tournament not following those guidelines is good form and a courtesy to other players. Before betting against an opponent it’s wise to recon their chip stack; knowing how well-stocked the arsenal of the opposition is may have direct bearing on the size of your wager. You would like an accurate idea of their strength, it is therefore proper they have an idea of yours. The courtesy afforded you must thereby be afforded them. This is part of the ‘civilized’ nature of warfare at the poker table.
7. Do wait when an opponent says “I raise.” before acting. If you act before the raise amount is properly stated – e.g. grab chips to call, muck or prepare to muck your cards – you are giving information away to the bettor. The raise amount may change and so then the play of the hand is changed. Keep your intentions and actions to yourself until prior action is fully completed. Then, and only then, is it proper to execute the actions you had in mind.
8. Do keep a “Poker Face” at all times. Even if the flop brings cards which have made your hand a monster, keep it to yourself. You may have thrown away a Q-3 offsuit and three 3’s flop; so what? If you do not throw away a winner once in a while you are playing too loose anyway. Your grimaces, groans, slapping of head or table will indicate to all but the most oblivious you had a major part of the flop. Be cool, bite your tongue and let the others play out the hand without that extra knowledge concerning flop texture from you.
The last few articles dealt with many of the “do’s” and “don’ts” of which I wished more players had an inkling. There are certainly more possible suggestions, pages and pages could be written about poor, bad and/or some kind of behavior that gets on somebody’s nerves. The “Prime Directive” for behavior during poker could be summed up as “Act with maturity, class and sportsmanlike civility.” Keeping that in mind will never be cause for anyone to regret your joining the table – at least not for behavioral issues. You may strike fear in their hearts as a player of great cunning, skill and ability and thus do they fear your arrival at the table, but they will not loathe your arrival because you’re an aperture of the rectum. Let others live up to that description. Your reputation as a “Class Act” begins as you think about poker.
Drew Chitiea is a semi-pro poker player living in Colorado. His tournament wins amount to over $500,000 with fourth place at a World Poker Tour event and a second place at Binion’s World Poker Classic in Las Vegas, NV.
