Observing etiquette in poker roomsThe
advent of poker rooms on the Internet has
allowed us to play poker anytime we want and at
our own convenience, without having to worry
about such things as getting dressed to go out,
driving to the location of the casino, ordering
food and drinks, and tipping the dealers.
Nonetheless, just because we can now play poker
online without having to see our opponents face
to face, it does not mean that we can now forget
the manners our mothers have taught us that we
need to exert whenever we are in the presence of
other people. Etiquette and manners still count
in online poker rooms.
We may not be able to see our opponents while
playing in online poker, unless the poker rooms
we play in have a webcam feature, but we still
need to behave if we want to promote an
atmosphere of fun at the table. It does not take
much to observe etiquette in the poker rooms,
and here are some ways you can do to promote it.
1. If you are not yet familiar with the way
things work in the online poker website you are
now playing in, go play in the lower limits
tables first. The atmosphere is more charged in
high limits tables, and nothing irritates many
high-stakes poker players than a clueless
newbie.
2. If the table you want to play in is full,
wait your turn by signing up for that table.
3. Chatting with your opponents while playing
poker is a great way you can socialize within
the game. However, chatting can only go so far.
No matter how badly your game has been going,
there is no reason for you to spout anything
profane, hateful or abusive on your chat box.
Also, you should refrain from commenting on your
opponents’ folded hands through the chat box.
Abusing your chat box function is the fastest
way you can get banned from chatting.
4. Speak only in English. If you are not a
native English speaker, try to talk in English
nonetheless, since almost everyone understands
this language. Just remember that it is always
rude to speak in other tongues when there is
someone in the room who may not be able to
understand what you are saying.
5. Keep your avatars tasteful and inoffensive.
One of the great things about customized
profiles is that you can make your very own
avatar. However, we should not use this to show
pornographic or hateful images that can offend
the other players.
6. If you need to be away from the keyboard or
AFK for short, please say so. Poker rooms
usually have a “sit out next hand” function for
just this purpose. In using this function, you
are making sure that the others at the table can
continue playing without having to wait for you
to come back.
It is not that hard to observe etiquette in
poker rooms. However, as they say, little things
go a long way, and little things such as
observing etiquette as you play poker can do a
lot in making the game very enjoyable for the
other players.
