Poker for Dummies (Mini Edition) (11 page)

Timeout

Anytime you’re unsure of anything, the best procedure to follow is to call “Time!” This freezes the action. Then get your questions resolved prior to acting. Poker etiquette suggests that you not abuse this privilege, particularly if you’re in a game where you’re charged a fee for sitting at the table. Players usually want a fast, efficiently run game, with as few interruptions as possible.

Decks and dealing

Dealers — and decks — generally rotate every half-hour. In addition, players unhappy with their run of cards are prone to holler “Deck change!” Most cardrooms permit a change after a deck has been in play for an entire round.

The finer points: Etiquette

Poker rules and etiquette help speed the game along and keep it orderly. These conventions are as much a part of the game as the cards themselves. In fact, when you play casino poker for the first time, poker etiquette may take more getting used to than the game itself.

Keep in mind the following points of poker protocol:

Act in turn.
Each player is expected to act in turn as play proceeds clockwise around the table. If someone bets and you plan to discard your hand, wait until it’s your turn to act before doing so. Not only is acting out of turn impolite, it can give a big advantage to one of your opponents. If your opponent knows you’ll fold your hand, it makes it easier for him to bluff, and is unfair to the rest of the players. In poker, as in most things, it’s considered polite to wait your turn.

Keep your cards in plain sight.
In order to maintain the integrity of the game, players need to keep their cards on the table during the play of the hand. The best way to protect your hand is to keep it on the table, and look at the cards by shielding them with your hands while lifting a corner of each card to peek at it. In a game like Texas Hold’em, where players have only two cards in front of them, it is customary to leave them on the table after looking and to place a chip on top of them. This alerts the dealer that your hand is still in play.

Avoid discussing hands in play.
Discussing your hand with others, even if you have released it and are no longer contesting that pot, may provide information that would give another player an unfair advantage. If you want to discuss a hand with a neighbor, wait until the hand is concluded.

Practice toking.
We’re not blowing smoke here, but
toking
(poker parlance for
tipping
) the dealer is customary when you win a pot. In poker casinos, tokes constitute a significant part of each dealer’s income. The size of the pot and the game’s betting limits generally determine the amount of the toke. If you’re new to casino poker, take your toking cue from the other players at the table. In games with betting limits of $10–$20 or higher, a dollar is a typical toke for all but the smallest pots. In smaller games, tokes of 50¢ are the rule.

Chapter 2

Texas Hold’em

In This Chapter

Understanding the basics

Taking a deeper look

Starting hands

Getting to know the ins and outs of raising

Playing the flop, turn, and river

Knowing what to do if you make your draw