How to play poker

Once you are confident that you have learned how to play No Limit Texas Hold'em, you will be anxious to compete in an actual tournament. Before you go, take a moment to learn a little poker etiquette.

Play in turn - Do not check, fold or bet until it is your turn. You can give important information to the players after you and the other players don't take too kindly to that.

Play at a reasonable speed - Don't consistently take a long time to make decisions when the play comes to you. No one will mind if you occasionally pause to think. If you do need more time, call for "time."

Don't splash the pot - Don't toss the chips you have bet into the pot. You may see this in the movies, but in a tournament or casino game this is inappropriate. Not only is this rude, but the dealer and other players have no way of knowing if you have put the correct number of chips in the pot. Place them neatly in front of you where the dealer can reach them.

Leave your chips on the table - In a tournament game, you either leave with part of the prize pool or nothing. The chips are not to leave the table. Even in a limit game, once you buy-in to a game, the chips on the table must remain there until you leave the game.

Be cautious of your table talk - If you are not in the hand, keep quiet. It is not appropriate to make comments about the hands being played, including your own. In addition, don't offer or ask for assistance from other players.
Be polite - No one wants to play with a jerk at the table. Be polite to the dealer and the other players. Watch your choice of words, swearing is not good poker etiquette.

No string bets - Do not make more then one motion to move your chips to call and raise. Not only is this unethical, but you can be forced to withdraw the raise. The best practice is to verbally declare a "raise" and then you can go back and forth for chips as many times as you wish.

Don't slow roll your hand - When showing your hand, do not wait a long time or slowly roll your cards off one at a time. Lay your hand down nicely and declare what you have.

Don't miss-declare your hand - If you are unsure of what you have, let the dealer read your hand once you lay it on the table.

Don't mess up the table or cards - If you must have food or a beverage at the table, don't make a mess or get food or drink on the cards.

Don't switch seats - You are not allowed to switch seats in a tournament (unless asked to by the tournament director when combining tables). Even in a regular game it is not appropriate to switch seats or leave the table, especially when it is your turn to pay the blinds.

Don't expose your cards until the showdown - Be cautious to protect your cards so no one else can see them until the showdown. Do not expose them when you fold. Additionally, if you are the uncontested winner of the pot, you do not have to show your hand. If you choose to show your hand to one person, then show it to everyone.

See more on Poker Etiquette:

Poker Table Etiquette
Online Poker Etiquette
Poker and non-smokers
UK Poker Etiquette