How To Use Poker Etiquette

Poker is a highly competitive, and entertaining game. And when money is involved it can often create quite an adrenaline rush. It is important to remember that the main reason you are playing the game is for the entertainment aspects. Professional poker players have a passion for the game, and love what they do. You should have the same mentality. Fun first. Having this mindset is the key to successfully using proper poker etiquette. Below are some tips that will make for an enjoyable game for you and your opponents.

1. Don't offer advice. You may have gotten a read on another player. Great. Do not share this with others! Okay, so you know Bill is bluffing Bob. Do not make any comments such as "re-raise him", let them play their own game.
2. Don't reveal your hand. If you are folding your hand, be certain to place your cards face down near the dealer. Exposing your hand will allow the others to know that those cards are "dead cards". (They are not going to appear in another player's hand, and will not be dealt by the dealer). This can be a huge advantage/disadvantage for the other players who are still involved in the hand. In the event that you expose your cards accidentally, be sure to apologize to the parties involved in that hand. It is a fast paced game, and accidents happen.
3. Don't criticize others play. The guy across from you is playing like an idiot? Bluffing too much? Whatever the case, you never want to bad-talk anyone at the table. Remember to have fun first. You may make a poor decision yourself, and you wouldn't like the others to rub that mistake in your face.
4. Don't brag. So your on the top of your game. You've won a lot of pots. Luck has been going your way all night and you are feeling like a pro. Bragging about it is bad sportsmanship. After-all, if you were doing poorly you would not want someone else cackling about how well they have been doing. You're having fun, so why create tension which may take you off your game?
5. Don't blame the dealer. You may catch a run of bad cards. It may seem as though the dealer is out to get you. Please realize the dealer has no interest in who wins. He or she is simply trying to make a living.
6. Refrain from explicit language. Yes, it is a game with intense emotion, and the occasional f-bomb will slip. And Yes, we are all adults. You should never direct any explicit language toward a specific player or the dealer. If your language is circumstantial, it likely did not offend the other players. In any situation, once you regain your cool I recommend apologizing.
7. Tip your dealer. In a tournament you should tip the dealer any time you finish in the money. In a ring game you should tip the dealer every time you win a pot. However for split pots and hands won pre-flop, exceptions apply. I have provided a link which will detail proper tipping procedure.