For many new players, learning the unwritten rules of poker is as vital to your early enjoyment of the game as your mastery of strategy and actual game play. To assist in your enjoyment of the game, we suggest the following tips to ensure your next Australian Masters Poker Tournament is played in a manner enjoyable to both yourself and your fellow players.
Play at a reasonable rate of speed
Be polite
English only to be spoken at the table
Play when it is your turn
Keep your cards on the table.
Don't reveal your cards before the showdown
Don't remove chips from the table until you leave for good
Verbally announce your action, so other players know your intentions
Stay quiet if you're not in the hand
Do not “splash the pot" When you are making a bet, place your chips neatly in front of you in easily countable stacks within the dealer's reach and let the dealer pull them into the pot. Players who toss chips into the middle run the risk of having to put more in, if the other players are unable to tell how many chips were originally thrown into the pot.
Don't offer or ask for help from other players Two or more players discussing a hand is a definite no-no in poker. If you have questions, ask the dealer, and never lie about your hand.
Do not "slow roll" your cards Taking your time to reveal a winning hand so as to taunt the other players at the table is the epitome of poor sportsmanship.
Let the dealer read your hand if you're unsure If you're an inexperienced player confused by the hand you have, it's acceptable to lay your cards on the table to let the dealer figure out where your hand ranks. However, this should only be done as a last resort and not on an ongoing basis.
Showing all of your cards If you win a pot uncontested and decide to show your cards to another player, proper poker etiquette insists that you must show everyone at the table the cards you folded.
