Math casino dealer. A casino dealer runs the games of chance in gaming settings, as he interacts with players, explains the odds and methods of play, and runs the game according to the 'house' rules. Most professional casino games dealers are adept at a variety of table games, such as. It is not the best choice for craps dealers because prop box is a mental discipline not a 'hands on' discipline. We have tested the two mats in a local dealing school and although almost everyone wanted the prop box mat at first, they soon realized that the Dice Dealer Practice Mat is far superior for base dealing practice options. Math Test For Casino Dealers, describes a simple strategy that makes blackjack an almost even game: if the dealer's up card is 2 to 6, play never bust; if it is 7 to ace, mimic the dealer. The exception to this simple rule is that one should hit a 12 if the dealer's up card is 2 or 3. Casino profitability. One casino owner would often test his pit bosses by asking how a casino could make money on blackjack if the outcome is determined simply by whether the player or the dealer came closest to 21. The answer, typically, was because the casino maintained 'a house advantage.' This was fair enough, but many.
- Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Card Game
- Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Tournaments
- Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Room
- Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Winnings
How to Play Poker When There is a Raise Ahead of You
The first thing that any beginner-level poker player needs to understand is the different actions of a poker game. The basic actions in a poker game include folding, checking and calling, betting, raising, re-raising, and check-raising, and a skilled poker player will use all of these different actions countless times throughout the course of a game, as knowing how to use each. By memorizing these ranges, you can quickly deduce a 17% preflop calling range (likely a 20% range minus the QQ+/AK 2.5% range). You can deduce a 30% preflop open-raising range by removing a few hands from that 33% range. The more you practice with poker ranges, the easier it is to estimate and visualize them at the tables.
When someone raises before you act in No-Limit Hold'em – also known as a pre-flop raise – you have three choices. You can re-raise, fold or choose to flat call. This page looks in-depth at the third option – calling someone's pre-flop raise and playing poker from there.
As you'll see below, there are a lot of factors to consider before using a flat call. These include your cards, table image, depth of your stack and position at the table. Each factor will be discussed in turn, with the maths of your different options assessed.
Here is what you will find below:
Flat-Calling and Implied Odds
If you have a good poker hand, you'll often (though not always) be re-raising before the flop. Since most of the time you will have a good, though not great hand, implied odds become an important factor.
This describes a spot where you might not have the best hand at the time you make the call – though you can win a lot of money on later streets if you do improve. The classic example would involve a small pair.
A pre-flop flat call is a useful strategy for even poker pros like Phil Ivey.
Let's use an extreme example to illustrate. The tightest opponent you ever met raises under the gun. You somehow know that he has pocket aces. You are on the button with a pair of 5's. You know you're behind, and that raising here would result in an all-in from your opponent.
Instead you call. If the flop has a 5, and no ace, you stand to win your opponent's entire stack.
Here you did not have the odds to call the pre-flop raise, though your future profit potential more than made up for it. Most of the time, you'll miss the flop and fold. That one in eight times you flop a 5 make up for this – your implied odds were huge!
Of course, things will not always be this clear cut. Casino in ok city. The important point here is that when you call, the potential to make money on later streets is a key factor. You might also win the pot when your opponent checks (giving up) and you put in a timely steal. If they are ‘raising light', you might well already have the best hand.
Primary Reasons to Call Pre-flop
Improving to the best starting poker hand is only one reason you might call before the flop. Here are several other factors that come into making this decision.
- Calling to Trap: You might have pocket aces yourself and know that someone still to act will often re-raise to steal pots. We don't recommend making a habit of this play (it is too transparent if you do it often). If you mix things up with the occasional trap, you can get a lot of money into the pot pre-flop.
- Taking the Pot on Later Streets: if your opponents are loose and passive, you may have many opportunities to ‘float' on the flop. This scenario involves calling pre-flop, then calling another bet on the flop – even if you don't hit. Many opponents will give up on the turn when they hit resistance. If you choose your spots, you can win a mid-sized pot with a bet from position.
- Defending Your Button: Late position players will raise with a wide range of hands. If you have the dealer button position, you can make their lives difficult with the occasional flat-call. This is particularly effective when the flop contains lower cards, which are more likely to have hit a caller's range than those of a raiser.
- The Raiser is Loose: Sometimes you'll face opponents that raise almost every time with a huge range. This can include any ace, junky suited hands and more. With a good, though not premium hand you could choose to call here. After the flop, you'll have a better idea of where you stand.
- Implied Odds: Some hands work better heads-up against a single opponent, others work better multi-way. If the stacks are deep, your implied odds can be big.
Best Types of Hands to Flat Call a Pre-Flop Raise With
Many of the situations covered above rely on position – and detecting when your opponent is weak after the flop to justify your call. There are three types of hands which are ideal candidates for a flat call. These can make monsters after the flop – and win you big pots.
- Suited Aces: Adding the ability to make the nut (highest possible) flush gives you a powerful way to win a big pot. I do not recommend calling with hands like Ace-8 off-suit, though hands Ace-2 to Ace-5 suited have shots at both flushes and straights. Higher suited aces are re-raise candidates.
- Suited Connectors: This category includes hands from 4-5 suited to J-Q suited. They can make both flushes and straights. The real strength of these hands is that you can play them aggressively when you flop strong draws. This gives you multiple ways to win the pot. You will sometimes improve to the best hand, and other times win as a semi-bluff.
- Small / Mid Pairs: Here the strength comes from those times you make a set on the flop. If your opponent(s) are tight, then you can win a lot of money those times they incorrectly believe that the flop is safe for their aces.
You could also add suited Broadway hands and ace-jack / ace-queen off-suit to this list. Those are more dependant on the table dynamic and table image. If you are unsure of your post-flop skills, it is usually better to either take the lead in the hand by raising or ditch those hands pre-flop.
How Table Position Affects Your Pre-flop Flat Call Range
Not only your own position, but the position of the player that raised needs to be factored in before you call pre-flop.
If the raiser is in early position – and a thinking player – their raising range is likely to be strong. If you are sat on their immediate left, then there will still be a lot of players still to act. Here re-raising looks very strong, and even calling should involve a stronger hand range than from later position. Those implied odds hands covered above can't stand a 3-bet from later position and become too risky in this setup at all but the most passive (‘call-heavy') games.
If you are in later position, especially on the button, and the raise comes from early position – then the implied odds hands go up in value. With the raiser having a narrow / strong range, they will be more reluctant to fold to a single bet on a ‘safe' flop. If you are in the blinds facing an early position raise, then you need to factor in the fact that you are out of position before you consider a call. It is hard to get full value when you act first on the flop, turn and river.
Raises from middle position should be with a wider range of hands. This improves your ability to take the pot on later streets, even when you miss the flop – since your opponent will not always have a hand which can withstand pressure.
If the raise comes from the button or cut-off position and you are in the blinds, a different dynamic applies. Here the raiser will often have a wide range. While this might mean you have the best hand more often, it also means you are less likely to be paid off with those implied-odds type hands. Add being out of position, and many calling hands should be ditched. With many hands, it is better to take the lead (or win the pot right there) with a 3-bet instead.
Calling vs Tight or Loose Opponents
Sometimes an opponent will be the classic loose ‘calling station'. This means they will raise a lot of hands (sometimes oblivious to position), and then call too many bets post-flop with any chance of winning. While calling can win a lot of money, you will often find that re-raising is the better play. You'll knock out the hands behind you that might have called. If you hit the flop, you can win a lot of money from these players.
Tighter opponents increase your chance of winning a big pot after the flop with the right types of hand. If you miss and they raise, you should often give them credit for a premium hand and get out of the way. If you do spike a set with a small pair (for example), expect to win multiple bets.
Your own table image also comes into play. If you are calling a lot of bets pre-flop, then folding to continuation bets – you are encouraging opponents to open a wider range against you.
If there are loose opponents still to act, you should generally play a narrower range of hands for flat-calls. An active button, that likes to 3-bet when seeing a raise and call can make your life difficult. You are denied the correct odds to call – and would have to play out of position for the rest of the hand.
Stack-Depth Factors and Pre-Flop Calling Hands
Cards worthy of a flat call when faced with a pre-flop raise.
When considering a call, the amount of money you can win on future streets is a primary factor. If either you or the raiser has a shallow stack – for example 20x the big blind – then you do not have the correct odds to call with your implied odds hands. In fact, calling both pre-flop and on the flop will make the pot so big that you are probably committed to call bets on later streets.
With very deep stacks of 200x the big blind or more, certain hands shoot up in value. Those suited aces and suited connectors can now win huge pots after the flop – and can be played more often. Conversely, vulnerable hands like Ace-9 or K-10 off-suited go down in value. These hands are easily dominated, making it difficult to know where you stand after the flop. This means that have ‘reverse implied odds' – you could lose a big pot those times you do hit the flop, and someone else hits it better.
If there is a short-stack still to act, then you have another type of risk. For example, someone with 100x the big blind opens, and you call (also with 100x) with a small pocket pair. A player nursing a 10x stack then goes all-in behind you, and the original raiser folds. Here you have huge odds to make the call – though would have preferred not too, as you won't have the best hand most of the time.
When to Flat Call Pre-Flop in Poker Tournaments
All of the factors covered above apply as much to tournaments as they do to cash games. There are also some extra considerations for tournament poker. These arise from the generally lower standard of strategy knowledge for tournament players, stack size differences and bubble dynamics.
Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Card Game
In the early stages of poker tournaments, pots will be contested by more players than in cash games. You can call a raise before the flop, only to see 2 or 3 other players also flat call. When you see the flop 5 handed, you'll need to hit it hard to have a shot at winning the pot. This improves the value of hands like small pairs and suited aces. It significantly reduces the value of high card hands (even as good as Ace-Queen). Many poker experts recommend a flat call only from position in small stakes poker tournaments – and choosing hands which can hit hidden monsters.
When you get to the middle stages, with bigger blinds, there will be a huge range of stack sizes at your table. Some players will have 100x stacks, others will be 10x or so – with many in that comfort-zone in between. If you want to flat call, you need to take stack depth into consideration first. While you might have great implied odds against a deep stack, a small stack behind you is a big risk. Instead of using a flat call, you should raise more often. This keeps the pressure on your opponents. It works well against those comfortable mid-sized stacks, who will often decide to look for a better spot.
The bubble of a poker tournament sees most players tighten up – and the big stacks go on the rampage, stealing as many pots as possible. When a small or medium stack raises, they usually have a good hand (otherwise they would not take the risk). A flat call is not recommended. Instead, you should be looking to chip-up – taking the lead in the hand whenever possible.
Playing poker live for the first time can be a nerve racking experience, and also a bit intimidating. The last thing you want to do is upset another player by doing things you shouldn't, right? The purpose of this column is to offer some hints and tips on good poker etiquette and to make the introduction to live poker as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
I'll assume that you already know the basic rules of poker and are comfortable with the mechanics of the game. But there are many more rules, regulations, and etiquette issues you should know before embarking on your first foray into live poker.
Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Tournaments
Don't let anything in this column put you off playing live poker. Everyone was a novice at one stage and poker players are generally a friendly bunch who are welcoming to new players. If you explain you're new to the game then nobody will expect you to be perfect, but the following points should help you integrate into the game without any unexpected bumps:
#1 – Keeping Up with the Game
Poker players get frustrated when the game is moving slowly. Pay attention to the game so you know when it's your turn to act. When it's your turn to post blinds/antes, then do so without having to be continually prompted. Everyone can forget sometimes, so don't beat yourself up about this too much – but players will appreciate it if you pay attention and keep up with the flow of the game. Also, only act when it's your turn – don't check, call, or fold out of turn. This annoys other players.
#2 – 'I See You….And'
You've probably seen poker in the movies where they all say 'I see you…and I'll raise' – STOP! This is incorrect, and phrases like 'I see you' are classed as a call, plain and simple. If you wish to make a raise then just say 'raise'. Then make your bet. At some venues you might get away with this kind of sloppy table talk, but it's a bad habit and one that should be eliminated early on.
#3 – Saying 'Raise' When You Mean 'Bet'
Another very common verbal error that beginners to poker make is saying 'raise', when they are just making a bet. Don't say raise when you mean bet. For example, after the flop the first to open the betting should say 'bet' rather than 'raise'. Even though there is money in the pot, they aren't raising a new bet – they're opening the betting. Saying 'raise' should only occur when you're actually increasing the bet and thereby raising someone else's previous bet. Other players probably won't say anything because it's such a common occurrence, but a good one to avoid nonetheless. It won't get you into trouble but saying raise when it's just a bet is like holding up a big neon sign saying 'I'm a poker novice'.
#4- String Betting
A string bet is when a player entering his chips into the pot as a bet or raise proceeds to move chips in multiple chip movement, such as dropping chips one at a time or going back to their chip stack to pick up more chips. The ruling for string bets varies from region to region, with some places being far stricter than others. Avoiding a habit for string betting is a good idea as it can prove to be a costly mistake. Here's some advice – when you want to make a bet, put the chips in one smooth movement. Better still; verbally declare your bet amount before even touching your chips.
If you're wondering why this is even at all important, then let me be clear about why string betting is frowned upon. String betting is not allowed because it opens up the possibility for cheating, by trying to gain a visual tell or response from another player in the pot. Other players will probably pull you up on string betting – so just be extra careful when making bets.
#5 – The One Chip Rule
Here's another betting situation that beginners to live poker often fail to understand – until it's too late. If you don't announce raise or call and throw one chip into the pot then it can be classed as a call. For example if it's 100 to call and you place one 500 value chip across the line without declaring raise or call it's usually only classed as a call. This is why it's good to declare your action verbally before moving your chips. Just like with string betting, verbal declarations help cut out any potential mistakes.
#6 – Verbal Goes
In a few of the points mentioned so far, I've recommended making verbal declarations. I even said 'verbal declarations help cut out any potential mistakes' – but they can also be costly, if made in error. You'll often here poker players say 'verbal goes', and what they mean by this is – what you said first and foremost stands. If you say 'call' and proceed to muck your cards, then your call stands and you have to put the chips in (you cards will be dead though in this example).
Make sure you're up with the game (see #1) before making any verbal declarations. For example, if someone had made a raise before you and you thought there hadn't been a raise, yet you announced call, then your call will stand. Sometimes this ruling is relaxed, especially for beginners, but it could cost you a lot of chips/money. So use verbal utterances with great care and concentrate on what's occurred before it's your turn, so you know exactly what you're calling or raising.
#7 – Cards on the Table
The cards should remain on the table at all times. Sometimes new players like to hold the cards up towards their chest when sneaking a look – and most people won't be too strict about this. It's something beginners tend to do. However, your cards should be visible at all times. Do not hold your cards under the table or away from view. It's quite obvious why this would be unacceptable, but I've seen many new players do this.
Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Room
/GettyImages-78767504-59a086edd963ac0011495727.jpg "Can you re raise a call in poker room")
When someone raises before you act in No-Limit Hold'em – also known as a pre-flop raise – you have three choices. You can re-raise, fold or choose to flat call. This page looks in-depth at the third option – calling someone's pre-flop raise and playing poker from there.
As you'll see below, there are a lot of factors to consider before using a flat call. These include your cards, table image, depth of your stack and position at the table. Each factor will be discussed in turn, with the maths of your different options assessed.
Here is what you will find below:
Flat-Calling and Implied Odds
If you have a good poker hand, you'll often (though not always) be re-raising before the flop. Since most of the time you will have a good, though not great hand, implied odds become an important factor.
This describes a spot where you might not have the best hand at the time you make the call – though you can win a lot of money on later streets if you do improve. The classic example would involve a small pair.
A pre-flop flat call is a useful strategy for even poker pros like Phil Ivey.
Let's use an extreme example to illustrate. The tightest opponent you ever met raises under the gun. You somehow know that he has pocket aces. You are on the button with a pair of 5's. You know you're behind, and that raising here would result in an all-in from your opponent.
Instead you call. If the flop has a 5, and no ace, you stand to win your opponent's entire stack.
Here you did not have the odds to call the pre-flop raise, though your future profit potential more than made up for it. Most of the time, you'll miss the flop and fold. That one in eight times you flop a 5 make up for this – your implied odds were huge!
Of course, things will not always be this clear cut. Casino in ok city. The important point here is that when you call, the potential to make money on later streets is a key factor. You might also win the pot when your opponent checks (giving up) and you put in a timely steal. If they are ‘raising light', you might well already have the best hand.
Primary Reasons to Call Pre-flop
Improving to the best starting poker hand is only one reason you might call before the flop. Here are several other factors that come into making this decision.
- Calling to Trap: You might have pocket aces yourself and know that someone still to act will often re-raise to steal pots. We don't recommend making a habit of this play (it is too transparent if you do it often). If you mix things up with the occasional trap, you can get a lot of money into the pot pre-flop.
- Taking the Pot on Later Streets: if your opponents are loose and passive, you may have many opportunities to ‘float' on the flop. This scenario involves calling pre-flop, then calling another bet on the flop – even if you don't hit. Many opponents will give up on the turn when they hit resistance. If you choose your spots, you can win a mid-sized pot with a bet from position.
- Defending Your Button: Late position players will raise with a wide range of hands. If you have the dealer button position, you can make their lives difficult with the occasional flat-call. This is particularly effective when the flop contains lower cards, which are more likely to have hit a caller's range than those of a raiser.
- The Raiser is Loose: Sometimes you'll face opponents that raise almost every time with a huge range. This can include any ace, junky suited hands and more. With a good, though not premium hand you could choose to call here. After the flop, you'll have a better idea of where you stand.
- Implied Odds: Some hands work better heads-up against a single opponent, others work better multi-way. If the stacks are deep, your implied odds can be big.
Best Types of Hands to Flat Call a Pre-Flop Raise With
Many of the situations covered above rely on position – and detecting when your opponent is weak after the flop to justify your call. There are three types of hands which are ideal candidates for a flat call. These can make monsters after the flop – and win you big pots.
- Suited Aces: Adding the ability to make the nut (highest possible) flush gives you a powerful way to win a big pot. I do not recommend calling with hands like Ace-8 off-suit, though hands Ace-2 to Ace-5 suited have shots at both flushes and straights. Higher suited aces are re-raise candidates.
- Suited Connectors: This category includes hands from 4-5 suited to J-Q suited. They can make both flushes and straights. The real strength of these hands is that you can play them aggressively when you flop strong draws. This gives you multiple ways to win the pot. You will sometimes improve to the best hand, and other times win as a semi-bluff.
- Small / Mid Pairs: Here the strength comes from those times you make a set on the flop. If your opponent(s) are tight, then you can win a lot of money those times they incorrectly believe that the flop is safe for their aces.
You could also add suited Broadway hands and ace-jack / ace-queen off-suit to this list. Those are more dependant on the table dynamic and table image. If you are unsure of your post-flop skills, it is usually better to either take the lead in the hand by raising or ditch those hands pre-flop.
How Table Position Affects Your Pre-flop Flat Call Range
Not only your own position, but the position of the player that raised needs to be factored in before you call pre-flop.
If the raiser is in early position – and a thinking player – their raising range is likely to be strong. If you are sat on their immediate left, then there will still be a lot of players still to act. Here re-raising looks very strong, and even calling should involve a stronger hand range than from later position. Those implied odds hands covered above can't stand a 3-bet from later position and become too risky in this setup at all but the most passive (‘call-heavy') games.
If you are in later position, especially on the button, and the raise comes from early position – then the implied odds hands go up in value. With the raiser having a narrow / strong range, they will be more reluctant to fold to a single bet on a ‘safe' flop. If you are in the blinds facing an early position raise, then you need to factor in the fact that you are out of position before you consider a call. It is hard to get full value when you act first on the flop, turn and river.
Raises from middle position should be with a wider range of hands. This improves your ability to take the pot on later streets, even when you miss the flop – since your opponent will not always have a hand which can withstand pressure.
If the raise comes from the button or cut-off position and you are in the blinds, a different dynamic applies. Here the raiser will often have a wide range. While this might mean you have the best hand more often, it also means you are less likely to be paid off with those implied-odds type hands. Add being out of position, and many calling hands should be ditched. With many hands, it is better to take the lead (or win the pot right there) with a 3-bet instead.
Calling vs Tight or Loose Opponents
Sometimes an opponent will be the classic loose ‘calling station'. This means they will raise a lot of hands (sometimes oblivious to position), and then call too many bets post-flop with any chance of winning. While calling can win a lot of money, you will often find that re-raising is the better play. You'll knock out the hands behind you that might have called. If you hit the flop, you can win a lot of money from these players.
Tighter opponents increase your chance of winning a big pot after the flop with the right types of hand. If you miss and they raise, you should often give them credit for a premium hand and get out of the way. If you do spike a set with a small pair (for example), expect to win multiple bets.
Your own table image also comes into play. If you are calling a lot of bets pre-flop, then folding to continuation bets – you are encouraging opponents to open a wider range against you.
If there are loose opponents still to act, you should generally play a narrower range of hands for flat-calls. An active button, that likes to 3-bet when seeing a raise and call can make your life difficult. You are denied the correct odds to call – and would have to play out of position for the rest of the hand.
Stack-Depth Factors and Pre-Flop Calling Hands
Cards worthy of a flat call when faced with a pre-flop raise.
When considering a call, the amount of money you can win on future streets is a primary factor. If either you or the raiser has a shallow stack – for example 20x the big blind – then you do not have the correct odds to call with your implied odds hands. In fact, calling both pre-flop and on the flop will make the pot so big that you are probably committed to call bets on later streets.
With very deep stacks of 200x the big blind or more, certain hands shoot up in value. Those suited aces and suited connectors can now win huge pots after the flop – and can be played more often. Conversely, vulnerable hands like Ace-9 or K-10 off-suited go down in value. These hands are easily dominated, making it difficult to know where you stand after the flop. This means that have ‘reverse implied odds' – you could lose a big pot those times you do hit the flop, and someone else hits it better.
If there is a short-stack still to act, then you have another type of risk. For example, someone with 100x the big blind opens, and you call (also with 100x) with a small pocket pair. A player nursing a 10x stack then goes all-in behind you, and the original raiser folds. Here you have huge odds to make the call – though would have preferred not too, as you won't have the best hand most of the time.
When to Flat Call Pre-Flop in Poker Tournaments
All of the factors covered above apply as much to tournaments as they do to cash games. There are also some extra considerations for tournament poker. These arise from the generally lower standard of strategy knowledge for tournament players, stack size differences and bubble dynamics.
Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Card Game
In the early stages of poker tournaments, pots will be contested by more players than in cash games. You can call a raise before the flop, only to see 2 or 3 other players also flat call. When you see the flop 5 handed, you'll need to hit it hard to have a shot at winning the pot. This improves the value of hands like small pairs and suited aces. It significantly reduces the value of high card hands (even as good as Ace-Queen). Many poker experts recommend a flat call only from position in small stakes poker tournaments – and choosing hands which can hit hidden monsters.
When you get to the middle stages, with bigger blinds, there will be a huge range of stack sizes at your table. Some players will have 100x stacks, others will be 10x or so – with many in that comfort-zone in between. If you want to flat call, you need to take stack depth into consideration first. While you might have great implied odds against a deep stack, a small stack behind you is a big risk. Instead of using a flat call, you should raise more often. This keeps the pressure on your opponents. It works well against those comfortable mid-sized stacks, who will often decide to look for a better spot.
The bubble of a poker tournament sees most players tighten up – and the big stacks go on the rampage, stealing as many pots as possible. When a small or medium stack raises, they usually have a good hand (otherwise they would not take the risk). A flat call is not recommended. Instead, you should be looking to chip-up – taking the lead in the hand whenever possible.
Playing poker live for the first time can be a nerve racking experience, and also a bit intimidating. The last thing you want to do is upset another player by doing things you shouldn't, right? The purpose of this column is to offer some hints and tips on good poker etiquette and to make the introduction to live poker as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
I'll assume that you already know the basic rules of poker and are comfortable with the mechanics of the game. But there are many more rules, regulations, and etiquette issues you should know before embarking on your first foray into live poker.
Can You Re Raise A Call In Poker Tournaments
Don't let anything in this column put you off playing live poker. Everyone was a novice at one stage and poker players are generally a friendly bunch who are welcoming to new players. If you explain you're new to the game then nobody will expect you to be perfect, but the following points should help you integrate into the game without any unexpected bumps:
#1 – Keeping Up with the Game
Poker players get frustrated when the game is moving slowly. Pay attention to the game so you know when it's your turn to act. When it's your turn to post blinds/antes, then do so without having to be continually prompted. Everyone can forget sometimes, so don't beat yourself up about this too much – but players will appreciate it if you pay attention and keep up with the flow of the game. Also, only act when it's your turn – don't check, call, or fold out of turn. This annoys other players.
#2 – 'I See You….And'
You've probably seen poker in the movies where they all say 'I see you…and I'll raise' – STOP! This is incorrect, and phrases like 'I see you' are classed as a call, plain and simple. If you wish to make a raise then just say 'raise'. Then make your bet. At some venues you might get away with this kind of sloppy table talk, but it's a bad habit and one that should be eliminated early on.
#3 – Saying 'Raise' When You Mean 'Bet'
Another very common verbal error that beginners to poker make is saying 'raise', when they are just making a bet. Don't say raise when you mean bet. For example, after the flop the first to open the betting should say 'bet' rather than 'raise'. Even though there is money in the pot, they aren't raising a new bet – they're opening the betting. Saying 'raise' should only occur when you're actually increasing the bet and thereby raising someone else's previous bet. Other players probably won't say anything because it's such a common occurrence, but a good one to avoid nonetheless. It won't get you into trouble but saying raise when it's just a bet is like holding up a big neon sign saying 'I'm a poker novice'.
#4- String Betting
A string bet is when a player entering his chips into the pot as a bet or raise proceeds to move chips in multiple chip movement, such as dropping chips one at a time or going back to their chip stack to pick up more chips. The ruling for string bets varies from region to region, with some places being far stricter than others. Avoiding a habit for string betting is a good idea as it can prove to be a costly mistake. Here's some advice – when you want to make a bet, put the chips in one smooth movement. Better still; verbally declare your bet amount before even touching your chips.
If you're wondering why this is even at all important, then let me be clear about why string betting is frowned upon. String betting is not allowed because it opens up the possibility for cheating, by trying to gain a visual tell or response from another player in the pot. Other players will probably pull you up on string betting – so just be extra careful when making bets.
#5 – The One Chip Rule
Here's another betting situation that beginners to live poker often fail to understand – until it's too late. If you don't announce raise or call and throw one chip into the pot then it can be classed as a call. For example if it's 100 to call and you place one 500 value chip across the line without declaring raise or call it's usually only classed as a call. This is why it's good to declare your action verbally before moving your chips. Just like with string betting, verbal declarations help cut out any potential mistakes.
#6 – Verbal Goes
In a few of the points mentioned so far, I've recommended making verbal declarations. I even said 'verbal declarations help cut out any potential mistakes' – but they can also be costly, if made in error. You'll often here poker players say 'verbal goes', and what they mean by this is – what you said first and foremost stands. If you say 'call' and proceed to muck your cards, then your call stands and you have to put the chips in (you cards will be dead though in this example).
Make sure you're up with the game (see #1) before making any verbal declarations. For example, if someone had made a raise before you and you thought there hadn't been a raise, yet you announced call, then your call will stand. Sometimes this ruling is relaxed, especially for beginners, but it could cost you a lot of chips/money. So use verbal utterances with great care and concentrate on what's occurred before it's your turn, so you know exactly what you're calling or raising.
#7 – Cards on the Table
The cards should remain on the table at all times. Sometimes new players like to hold the cards up towards their chest when sneaking a look – and most people won't be too strict about this. It's something beginners tend to do. However, your cards should be visible at all times. Do not hold your cards under the table or away from view. It's quite obvious why this would be unacceptable, but I've seen many new players do this.
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When your cards are on the table, avoid covering them with your hands. Other players should be able to see who is involved in the hand, and shouldn't have to ask 'do you still have cards?' If you want to protect your hand then just place a chip onto of them or buy a card protector.
#8 – Mucking Your Cards
When the time comes to fold (muck) your cards, then place them into the muck pile. A lot of new players will barely push their mucked cards forward. This can cause confusion, with other players unsure whether they've actually been folded. Avoid any potential confusion and properly muck your cards face down along with the other mucked cards.
Be careful and muck your cards properly. Don't wildly throw your cards into the muck, because if you cards should miss their intended target and end up on an opponent's hole cards, then their cards could be declared dead. They won't be best pleased with you either! This is one reason why it's a good idea to protect your cards (see previous point), should someone do the same to you.
#9 – Talking / Gesturing During a Hand
When a hand is in progress you should refrain from talking about the hand. General table talk is usually acceptable, but if things get serious then pipe down. If by chance you would have made a great hand, then don't let the whole table know about it either. For example, you fold 7/2 pre-flop and the flop comes 772. Don't thump the table, yell 'Oh my god!' or shake your head profusely. Do this after the hand if needs be, but never during it. It indicates what you had to the other active players involved in the hand and is considered very poor etiquette.
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#10 – Slow Rolling
If a hand enters a showdown (where cards are revealed) then you should show your hole cards as soon as possible, if you've been called. If your opponent has shown their cards first and you have a better hand, then reveal it immediately. Don't let your opponent think they might have won the pot, then slowly turn over the nuts (best possible hand). This is known as 'slow rolling' and is one of the main ways to upset people at the poker table. You want to win their chips, not upset them!
Playing poker live is great fun. I hope you've found this article useful, particularly if you're interesting in playing live poker for the first time. If you're playing in a casino or cardroom and are unsure or confused about any aspect of the game (such as the structure, blinds/antes) then just ask the dealer when you're not involved in a hand, preferably upon sitting down.
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By Tim Ryerson
Tim is from London, England and has been playing poker since the late 1990's. He is the ‘Editor-in-Chief' at Pokerology.com and is responsible for all the content on the website.
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