Clarity and Manners

First off I want to clarify a few things from the last post. Yes, I was whining about losing. I don't do it in the game, so I get to do it here. Its my blog I can whine here if I want. Selfish, yes. Second, I did not say anyone played poorly. In fact when we got down to four handed I was the dog in that game. All three of those players are better than I am and I knew it. I should have quit. I know that. I also did not say Aaron played poorly, in fact he played brilliant. His hyper aggressive style works very well short handed, and with his reading ability he will kill a short game. He did. He is a favorite short handed in every game he sits in.

Aaron also has the disadvantage of being a friend that I have known for a long time, so I have seen him play many many times. Most of the time I am not in the game with him as I just watch the bigger games he plays, but his personality comes out when he plays, and frankly there are parts of his game that I do not like. I am not saying it is bad to talk, and whine in a game, in fact it works to his advantage most of the time because it puts people on tilt, and they want to beat him more and gun for him. That works to his advantage, as he plays a killer game. He killed me. If you combine that with losing that night which I did, and you do that over a number of sessions you can see how that would impact what happens away from the table. I can not separate the two, maybe that is wrong, but it is the truth. His table talk bugs me, and not just this one night of it, this has been a pet peeve of mine for years about his game, mostly when I just sweat his game. My opinion will not change on that so I just need to not play that much with him. I don't have to like most of the people that I play with, in fact most of the players I only see at the casino, so I do not have to have a relationship with them. Heck, most of them probably don't like me, that's fine. I do have a relationship with Aaron, he is a good friend and I don't want a game to harm that, so I will adjust. Nuff said, so off to table manners.....

It is interesting to note that the higher the game played or witnessed, the worse manners the players have. I have witnessed some really poor behavior in some of the biggest games played in Vegas and LA. I think it has to do with the more money you have, or success you have in poker, the more arrogant you get that the world revolves around you. So here is my list of table do's and don'ts.

#1) Respect the dealer. The dealer has no impact on the cards, why get pissed at the dealer if you get sucked out on, they can't help you. Why beat them up? Also, ask if rabbit hunting is allowed at the casino. If it is, every once in a while you can ask the dealer to show you the river or the flop. Don't do this a lot as it slows the game down. Never just grab the cards without asking. That is their space, and they will take offense if you just grab the cards.

#2) Pay attention in the game. If you are in the game, please pay attention when it is your turn to act. I see a lot of players that are playing really long sessions and get super tired and start to sleep at the table. You have to keep reminding them that it is their turn to act. If you are tired take a break, or quit. There will be another game. Also, don't read or play with your cell phone as this also distracts you from paying attention. I sometimes break this rule with my phone but try not to do it much. It just slows the game down.

#3) Respect the other players. You don't have to like the other players, and you can even use table talk to put them on tilt. Never make it personal, call people names, or use derogatory or racist language. Poker is a game which has brought all nationalities together. In fact a lot of the time when I am in a game, a white guy will be the minority at the table. Making ignorant or hurtful comments just hurts the mood at the table and the game. Don't do it.

#4) Don't throw cards or chips. Subset of number one. It slows the game down. If you throw your chips around or splash them into the pot, the dealer has to take time to collect the chips, make sure the right amount has been bet, or even in extreme cases count the whole pot down. It just slows the game down, and in my case just irritates me. It also can open the game up to stealing. When there is a sloppy pot someone can rake chips back out.

Also, don't throw the cards or muck them hard across the table. If the cards hit the floor they have to ask for a new setup, if they hit the dealer it pisses them off, and if they hit another players hand it could kill their hand. It just slows the game down, and once again just irritates me. It shows your character and lack of self control.

#5) Don't slow roll, or fail to act in turn. If the hand is over and you are first to act, either muck your hand or turn it over. Don't try and wait to see if you are beat to show. If you are embarrassed to show your hand why the hell did you play it in the first place. Don't call out "you got it", and then when the other player shows you realize you have the winner. This really gets under my skin. Also, in a lot of the bigger games if you are fist to act you just call out your hand and the other player will just turn over if they have you beat. Now this is not a rule but it is just good game manners. Don't force the other player to turn over his hand. If you win, table your hand and take the pot. Who cares what two cards they had, if you are good you should be able to figure it out anyway. Some people will just want to see the cards anyway, I think it is rude and it happens a lot in lower limit games. Lastly, if you are not involved in the hand don't ask to see the cards. I see this also happen a lot in lower limit games. The only time you should ever do this is if you suspect collusion among players. If not, you don't need to see it. Who cares if you finished 2nd.

I am sure I have missed a few things. If you have one that I missed feel free to leave it in the comments section. Hope you are all winning and I will not play this weekend. Talk to you next week..SJ