Poker etiquette

Card rooms run on manners as much as rules. Here is how to carry yourself like you belong at the high table.

Learn guide. Updated October 2026.

At the live table

  • Act in turn, every time. Folding early gives information to the players still deciding.
  • Declare clearly. Say "call", "raise to 40" or "all-in" before moving chips. It protects you from disputes.
  • Keep cards on the table. Never lift them off the felt where others might see them, and protect them with a chip or card cap.
  • Don't splash the pot. Place bets in front of you; the dealer will pull them in.
  • One player to a hand. Do not advise someone else mid-hand, and do not ask to see a folded hand you weren't involved in.
  • Show winners promptly. A slow roll, holding back a winning hand for effect, is one of poker's worst faux pas.
  • Tip the dealer. In most US rooms, dealers rely on tips. A small tip from each pot you win is standard.
  • Keep your phone and food off the felt. Many rooms prohibit calls at the table entirely.

Online

  • Don't use the chat box to berate other players. It drives the recreational players away, and they are the reason the game exists.
  • Don't use the time bank to stall in every hand.
  • Use only the tools your site permits. Real-time assistance software is banned on most platforms.

Never do this

Angle shooting covers moves like hiding high-value chips, faking a call, or saying "I've got a straight" when you don't. They can be ruled against you by the floor, and they will cost you your reputation faster than any bad beat.

The real reason etiquette matters

A pleasant table is a profitable table. Players who enjoy the game stay longer, play more hands and come back. Be the person people want to sit next to. It is the cheapest edge in poker.

Frequently asked questions

How much should you tip a poker dealer?

In US card rooms a typical tip is $1 to $5 from a pot you win in a cash game, scaling with the pot size. Customs differ by country; in much of Europe and Asia, tipping is smaller or pooled.

What is angle shooting?

Using technically legal but deceptive actions, such as pretending to call to see a reaction, to gain an unfair edge. It is not cheating, but it can get you penalised or barred.

Can you talk during a hand?

You can chat, but never discuss the hand in progress if you are not in it, and never reveal folded cards while others are still playing.