What If I Wanna Leave?

It is so very cool, the number of e-mails and letters I get from players of all abilities, asking me questions about so many different things. Of course, I defer the tough ones to someone who knows what is going on so I don't have to fake it, but with the basic stuff, I like to share the information here, as it would seem these wonderments are more common than I might have thought.

Recently, I got some questions that reminded me of how foreign a territory live-action poker can be. Especially due to the huge growth of Internet poker and the World Poker Tour, many players are finding themselves in a brick-and-mortar casino for the very first time. As always, I like to remind regulars to be nice and make sure these novices enjoy this experience. You never get a second chance to make a first impression, you know. So, don't run them off with bad behavior, and please answer their concerns with a smile, OK? Here are some of the recent things I have been asked; let's see if I can help.

Jesse L. from Atlantic City wrote:

I am playing in a normal $3-$6 game in a cardroom at a casino with blinds, and I want to get up and leave; can I just do so anytime or is there a certain time that is better than others? Do I just tell the dealer, then stand up and take my chips and go, or am I supposed to do something else? I always feel a bit awkward that I am leaving at the wrong time, and I don't want to make anyone mad at me.

This is a more common question than you might imagine. You may leave anytime you want. You are never required to play even one more hand. The only exception to that would be if you are playing in a kill game, in which you are required to post an additional blind after winning the preceding pot. Other than that unusual circumstance, you may leave anytime you want. You can leave when you're on the button, in the big blind, in the middle of the round – anytime. That being said, there are pros and cons to leaving just any ol' time ya want. I tend to leave either on my big blind or when I am under the gun (when the big blind will be mine on the next hand). The reason is, I have paid the price to play all of these hands. By posting my blinds, I am entitled to play an entire round. If I pay the blinds and then leave, I am not getting good value. It is the same thing when leaving on the button. You have paid for that position, so why not take advantage of it? You also may want to leave because you just had an ugly beat put on you. That is OK, too … you may leave anytime. That's it! You don't need to ask anyone's permission, just go. It is courteous to tell the dealer to deal around you if he is ready to deal and you don't want a hand, but you sure don't need to ask for anyone's approval!

Another reader, Irene S. from Colorado, wrote and asked about hiding her cards accidentally. She said she was in a cardroom for the first time and didn't know where to keep her cards. She was playing hold'em. Once, the dealer didn't see her cards and the action passed her. They had to call for a floor decision to straighten out the mess. Of course, she was terribly embarrassed by it all. She said she nearly left the game after that, but decided to play on and ended up having a great time. Many new players would have gotten up then, rather than be made uncomfortable. The bottom line is that it is correct procedure to look at your cards and then put a chip on them and leave them in front of you so that everyone will know you have a hand. Don't cover your cards with your hands or anything else. Leave them visible, but protected. That way, you won't be passed when the action comes around to you. Also, this makes it fair for all of the players at the table, so they can see how many players remain in the pot. Be sure to put your cards in front of you, but do protect them. If you just set them in front of you, the dealer might grab them, thinking you are folding. Also, another player could inadvertently foul them when he discards his own hand.

Thanks for the questions. Please feel free to write and ask me poker-related questions, and I will try to answer them in my columns. Class dismissed.

There still is time to drive an hour north of Las Vegas and "meet me at the Oasis." The tourney in Mesquite at the Oasis Hotel and Casino begins on Oct. 24. You still can reserve your room at the $15 rate and get in on the action. There will be seven tournaments in five days. Come on up and see me!