Poker 101

Much has been discussed about poker ethics and proper behavior when playing. Although it is generally assumed that we all know how to act when in public, it seems as though some of us sometimes forget. I travel a great deal and am fortunate to be able to attend many of the big poker events and some of the smaller ones. I have visited cardrooms nearly everywhere in the country as well as in many foreign venues. I also monitor the poker newsgroup RGP, Rec.Gambling.Poker, and have read all of the latest postings regarding different things in cardrooms that annoy many of you. Much of what I am reading is causing me great distress. Unethical behavior and abuse, toward both dealers and other players, once again needs addressing.

When you go out to play, one of the reasons that you do so is to have a good time, right? If it isn't, it should be. How can you have a good time if you or the players around you are not having a good time? It's not my suggestion that when you play poker, you need to sit and giggle at the table while wearing a smile all the time. It is important, however, to either enjoy playing or pretend that you are so that those around you may enjoy their experience. Obviously, some of your poker experiences will be better than others. It certainly is easier to have a good time when you are winning than when you are losing. But when things are going badly for you, sometimes you need to suck it up and pretend that all is well.

That having been said, recently I have received letters about some unethical conduct that has been observed at the tables. Readers have asked me about situations in which they were not sure what to do or how to act. Some of these questions have come from novices, yet most have come from seasoned veterans. One regular player recently told me that during the span of a 10-day poker event, he had seen things going on at the table that caused him to question whether he was missing something or should be reacting differently. One such situation involved a player putting too much money into a pot and the dealer not catching it. Should he or should he not say something?

It's my opinion that as players in the game, we are all responsible for protecting what is fair and right. If it was a dealer oversight that allowed someone to put too much money into a pot, I absolutely would say something. In fact, regardless of the reason, I would say something! It seems that if someone shorts a pot, everyone speaks up. Why is the reverse not as automatic? I have seen everyone put the wrong amount of money into the pot at one time or another, myself included. It is in the best interest of the game to make sure that bets are completed accurately at all times. Whether or not you are involved in the hand at the time, I believe that it is your duty to help to ensure the accuracy of the pot. When players short a pot, are they cheating? Probably not. Seldom, if ever, have I seen what I thought was an intentional error in chip count. More often than not, a player wants to put the right amount in, and would be ashamed to later find out that he had not done so and that no one had alerted him to that fact.

There are many things going on at a poker table before, during, and after the actual play of a hand. It is the dealer's responsibility to be certain that everything is correct, but dealers are only human, and even the best may make occasional mistakes. It is much easier to correct an error before the action progresses than after the fact. Players assisting in the game's accuracy speeds things up and helps to eliminate the need for a floorperson's ruling. There are many similar things that a player can do to help a game run smoothly and fairly. Please write to me with anything you would like to see mentioned here about ways to speed up and professionalize the game. Class dismissed.

Please write to me at [email protected]. I welcome your questions and comments.