Learn How To Play Poker: Online Etiquette

Be courteous to other players when playing online poker, but, as always when participating in online events, do not be stupid. Never give out personal information. You have no idea who you are playing with or talking to.

Courtesy and manners make you a better person all around and will open a lot of doors for you in the world. While you want to be courteous and gracious to your online poker pals, you are not there to make friends. You are actually competing with them to win money. It may come down to you or them. Now, if the jackpot is between you and someone who you met online - who do you want to win?

If you answer that you would rather the other person win, you should sign up for the nearest mission and start helping the homeless. If you, like 99.9 percent of other people would rather win yourself, then you have to follow the rules when playing online poker and observe online poker etiquette:

Do not brag or use the chat option to brag about how great you are in order to intimidate other players into leaving the game. In fact, use the chat option sparingly.

If someone leaves the game or enters, it is polite to acknowledge them leaving or entering by giving them a greeting or wishing them luck. If someone wins, you can congratulate them on a job well done.

Never make the mistake that someone is not playing but wants to view the cards in your hand so that they can learn to play the game by watching you. This can be a buddy of someone else who you are playing against. In real casinos, people are not allowed to look over your shoulder when you play poker and ask to view your cards. In virtual casinos, people can actually set up as many accounts as they want. Never let anyone know what is in your hand until it comes time to call.

No profanity, even if you lose. That is just bad form and can even get you kicked out of the casino if someone complains. It just makes you look like a sore loser. If someone badgers you, do not fall into their trap but complain to the administrator or put them on "ignore." Yes, it is good to stand up for yourself, but you do not want to do so at the expense of your game, which is what they are really after.

When in Rome... This is for Americans- When playing in a poker room, remember that not everyone is American and observe the customs of the host country. Avoid perpetrating the stereotype of the "ugly American" and follow other customs.

When in Rome...This is for bi-lingual players- If you are in a room where everyone is speaking English or another language, do not start chatting in a different language so that others cannot understand what you are saying. This is just plain rude.

Never talk about what type of hand you folded with another player. This can be construed as cheating and can get you tossed out of the casino. If the other player is in the game and you tell him that you folded with a pair of twos, he has an edge over the other players still in the game. This is why, when you fold, your cards are placed face down.

Have fun and be courteous when playing online poker. Remember your manners but also remember that you are there to play poker and not to make friends. If you are looking for friends, join a social networking site.

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