Tipping is Not a City in China, and Other Assorted Tidbits

Wow, another season is in the can for the World Poker Tour, and new poker players keep coming. Everywhere I go, the lists for games are long and cardrooms are spreading more games than ever before. For the most part, it's all great. What is not so good is that there are many new players out there who aren't aware of some of the accepted practices and customs for conduct in a cardroom. I am hoping that some of these players are reading this column, as I would like to tell them some things they might not know, or remind them of things they may have forgotten.

We all watch the WPT and then rush out to play poker in the vast green felt wilderness. As novice players, many of you have seen poker only on television before venturing out, and therefore have seen only tournament poker. It is played similarly to live-action poker, but there is one huge and glaring difference. In televised tournament poker, you never see the toking, or tipping, that takes place. While in tournament poker it is customary to tip after an event is over, this is not seen by the viewing audience. As a result, it is easy to understand why novice players may not realize that it is common practice to tip when they win a hand in a live-action game. Dealers are paid minimum wage by the casino and rely heavily on tips to make their living. While many players see tipping the dealer as an expense, and don't believe that they should pay but that the house should pay dealers more, it is important to note, "This is the way it is." Just as you tip 15 percent to 20 percent of your bill to your waiter in a restaurant, it is commonplace to give $1 or so to the dealer when you win a pot. Please try to help the industry keep up the fast pace of hiring needed dealers by helping dealers to make a decent living. While you are at it, also take care of the brushpeople, chip runners, floorpeople, cashiers, and others who help make your poker experience a good one.

Another item I would like to note, especially to new players, is that when you win a pot, don't ask to see the losing player's hand. It is poor etiquette. While it is allowed, it should be done very rarely, if ever. It is a needle, of sorts, and makes the person who lost the pot feel worse. Also, it makes you look bad, as you have now taken on the role of the "needler," and that is not a label you want to own.

Something else on my agenda of items to note is commenting on the play of a hand, especially while it is in progress. You should never talk at the table about how someone played a hand. If it is a noteworthy hand that bears discussion, jot it down to discuss away from the table. For one thing, you don't want to educate players as to how they "should have played." Also, if you make comments during the play of a hand, it can affect the outcome. For example, in a stud game, if someone pairs his trey on fourth street and you comment that you threw one away, it hurts his chances in the pot because you've given the other players information to which they are not entitled. You would hate it if someone did that to you, so don't do it to them! Keep your thoughts to yourself and take the details of the interesting hands to your discussion group or poker friends to hash out.

Slow-rolling, which is a pet peeve of mine, has no place in a poker game. What is that? It is waiting an extra long time to show down your hand when you have a winner. It makes the other player think he has won the pot, and then you add insult to injury by bursting his bubble with an ill-timed winner. If you have the best hand, show it either immediately or in turn. Never make comments like ones I have heard at the table as you are shown a hand you can beat, such as, "Nice hand … for second place." This won't win you any popularity contests, for sure. While poker is not a game played to win friends and influence people, it is best played in a fun and friendly atmosphere. The live ones will be happier to give you their money if they are not being made to feel stupid. I suggest playing nicely, amicably, and happily. If you can't do that, you shouldn't play. Class dismissed.

As always, please contact me with your poker-related questions and comments. I also am happy to see your column ideas. Please visit the www.cardplayercruises.com website for information about poker and cruising. If you haven't yet been on a poker cruise, you haven't lived!