If you want to be invited back to play Poker with a group of people, there are two options: lose a lot of money, or stay within the bounds of accepted Poker etiquette. Etiquette's a lot cheaper. Follow these five simple tips to make sure you're a welcome opponent. (Some of these rules aren't followed during friendly games, but they're a great starting point if you're playing with any new opponent(s).)
1. Act in Turn
What "act in turn" usually means is this: Don't fold your cards early. If you look at your cards and know that you're going to fold, wait until it's your turn to do so. It's unfair to the other players if someone gets to know that you're going to fold out of turn. The same holds true for calling and raising, but it's much less common for players to try to call or raise out of turn.2. Keep Quiet During a Hand
Don't ruminate about the possibilities -- "Oh, a third diamond just turned up! I wonder if anyone has a flush..." -- whether or not you're still in a hand. Sit quietly and let the hand end before you offer any commentary, no matter how brilliant you believe it to be.3. Don't Splash the Pot
In other words, keep your chips in a neat pile in front of you until it's time to move everyone's chips into the middle. With a lot of players, this really helps keep track of where things stand -- and it can help avoid some truly nasty arguments. Throwing your chips into the middle is always a bad idea.4. One Player To a Hand
You don't get to receive advice during a hand, and you don't get to give it. Play your own hand and let everyone else play their own hand.5. Pay Attention
This rule is self-explanatory: Few things are more aggravating than a player who says, "Whose turn is it?" when it's been their turn for several minutes.
