Cash Game Cash Game Etiquette (1 Viewer)

[Broadway Str8ght]

In 2017 I have decided that I will play a lot more poker in a live setting than I previously have been, but since the only live games I have played in have been home games & I've never played in a casino before I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the proper etiquette is for playing in a cash game i.e how to leave the table correctly at the end of a session/bathroom break or cashing out.

Also when & how much should you tip a dealer/waitress & also general do's/dont's at the table.

 

[Shaggy]

1. whenever you want
2. as little as possible

 

[manamongkids]

$1 per drink. $1 per hand won, I usually tip on any hand won over $10

 

[Rhodeman77]

$1 per drink. $1 per hand won, I usually tip on any hand won over $10

Exactly this with tipping. Some people have different minimum pot size to tip, some tip even if they only take the blinds. It is all personal.

As far as leaving the table, do it whenever you want. It is a bad idea to announce it actually as it may cause players to not give you action if they know you are leaving in the next few hands.

 

[trever]

There isn't any particular rule about leaving the tables, just stand up and go. If you're done for the night, grab an empty rack (or four) pile in your chips say goodnight and go. Most people stick around until it is their blind, but that's got nothing to do with etiquette. Same deal for bathroom breaks, when you gotta go, just get up and go, although personally I'd appreciate it if you took an extra 30 seconds while you're there to wash your hands properly.

As for tips, $1 is standard, I'll tip more if I win a big pot or suckout on someone, but you aren't expected to.

In general, if you're amiable, polite and listen to the dealer you're already in the top 1/5 of players so don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[derekdd23]

I leave whenever I feel like I'm not playing optimally and never ever play out of a rack, even for 1 hand since I know I'm not playing optimally. I never announce it since it isn't any one else's business and you don't need them playing differently against you.

I only tip when a bet is called after the flop. Preflop takedowns and cbets delayed or immediate that take down the pot I don't feel should get a tip.

ALWAYS tip the drink girl, she is serving you an open container and doesn't need any incentive to mess with it.

 

[Josh_LF]

Great advice so far.

Leaving / bathroom break etc. is rarely a big deal. The two things that can take some getting used to are....
(1) Never talk about a hand if you're not in it,
(2) Put your big chips out where everyone can see, and don't take offense if people ask how much you've got.

A lot of home games, it's not a big deal to comment on the flop or whatever after you fold. It's verboten in a casino. You'll get a lot of dirty looks the first time, and then maybe the floor will come over for a chat if you do it again.

In NL games, most (but not all) cardrooms won't allow you to hide big chips/bills behind your stack. Either way, you're expected to clearly display all your chips on request. It's just a part of the game, don't take offense and don't be intimidated.

Also, always protect your hand and never stand up if you're in a hand, even if villain is tanking. Some places will assume you fold if you stand up. It's not like on TV.

 

[mike32]

@derekdd23 what do you mean by the statement you will never play out of a rack? I'm curious as I've never heard of playing out of a rack.

 

[upNdown]

I've seen some people who, when they're getting ready to leave, they'll pack their chips up in a rack, but leave it on the table in front of them, and see another hand or two.

 

[iballman]

This is a great thread. Any tips on cell phone use and a brief description of straddling and action relating to options when straddles are done.

 

[Chicken Rob]

Mostly good advice so far.

Some extra things I've learned: Tipping $2 per drink CAN get you better service. If you let the waitress know that you want them as fast as she can bring them, tip $2 each with every 5th drink tip $5, you can bet you'll get more than the 2 per hour they're supposed to limit you to. Or not. Depends on the server. But mostly yes.

I had one waitress warn me when she was about to come by so I'd be sure the current drink was empty when she got there.

Also, depending on where you are playing I have been surprised how far a $1 tip will take you:
I would tip the person running the list in the poker room every night, and was always moved to second on the list (must be reg for this to work IME).
$1 allowed me to skip the line at the buffet and use the VIP line.

 

[Chicken Rob]

@derekdd23 what do you mean by the statement you will never play out of a rack? I'm curious as I've never heard of playing out of a rack.

Keeping your chips in a rack is considered poor form. Stack them on the table. Some rooms do not allow keeping your chips racked at the table, some do allow you to keep the chips racked and just 1 or 2 playing stacks on the table.

 

[upNdown]

This is a great thread. Any tips on cell phone use and a brief description of straddling and action relating to options when straddles are done.

Only use your phone when you're out of a hand.
Don't straddle.

 

[duffman]

All great advice so far. One thing I didn't realize the first time I went was it's ok to throw out 1 single higher denom chip to make a call if you don't have exact change and you don't want to speak. I didn't realize this and would say "call" every time. For example in a 1-2 game if you just wanted to call the $2 blind and all you had were $5's, you could just throw out a $5 chip and this would be considered a call. The dealer would then just give you change if everyone just limped in to see the flop or if you folded if someone raised.

 

[Rhodeman77]

This is a great thread. Any tips on cell phone use and a brief description of straddling and action relating to options when straddles are done.

As above on cell phone. If you are a nit type player throwing out a straddle early on in the night can pay dividends later on when you are able to get action from it. If you are an action player, don't waste the money.

 

[derekdd23]

@derekdd23 what do you mean by the statement you will never play out of a rack? I'm curious as I've never heard of playing out of a rack.

Putting your chips into a chip rack on the table and playing your cards while the chips are in the rack.

 

[manamongkids]

Putting your chips into a chip rack on the table and playing your cards while the chips are in the rack.

I'd disagree, playing out of the rack throughout a night is fine. But if you are going to cash out and have just racked them up and then begin to play a few hands with them racked, I would stay away from that

 

[Jomama]

Dont straddle, I usually tip 1 for pots from 10 to 40 and 2 for big pots or suck outs. Dont hide chips, watch your table talk. Think about you questions before you ask anything, people will probably figure out you are new to live poker but dont give them a head start.

 

[DJ Mack]

I'd disagree, playing out of the rack throughout a night is fine. But if you are going to cash out and have just racked them up and then begin to play a few hands with them racked, I would stay away from that

That's probably more local custom than anything then. I guess the key is be consistent. Either play from the rack or don't. I was observing a game in Pittsburgh once and a guy stood up and put his coat on and started racking his chips. There was a long wait so the attendant nodded at the next guy on the list and pointed to the opening seat. Then the first guy sat back down and started playing out of his rack for another hand. He almost got his ass beat for that.

 

[colter ripton]

I like to straddle on the button when it is not getting raised consistently. I feel like it does a couple things for me. For 1 it makes me look like more of an action player even if I am playing very snug. For 2 when I flop a big hand or have a big hand pre flop I often get paid off when I am in the straddle. I do it more in short handed games, and games where there is not a lot of pre flop aggression. I almost never straddle in any other position than on the button, and I don't do it when I am getting raised off my straddle often. I also don't do it when I am short stacked or running bad. I am kind of an action player though, and I like to see alot of flops. Straddling can get you in a lot of trouble too though, so you have to be pretty comfortable at the table and pretty confident in your game to do it often. For a new player I would suggest not Straddling.....I have been playing at the casinos live for about 8 years now in both 1-3 and 2-5 and have only been Straddling the last couple years, and only when I feel the game is right for it.

 

[BukNaked36]

As far as leaving the table, I always thinks its nice to declare this is my last time around or my last orbit. I think this is especially true if you're up a decent amount.

 

[colter ripton]

Also I tip a dollar every pot I win, and more for big pots. A dollar tip is pretty standard, and it's also by no means required, especially in small pots. For the most part just be polite and friendly and you will be fine. Don't run your mouth about other players and don't get upset about losing. Lose with grace and win with grace even if your playing against a douschebag.

 

[Chicken Rob]

As above on cell phone. If you are a nit type player throwing out a straddle early on in the night can pay dividends later on when you are able to get action from it. If you are an action player, don't waste the money.

You've never played in new england have you?

 

[BukNaked36]

Putting your chips into a chip rack on the table and playing your cards while the chips are in the rack.

I've always looked at this as begging for bad luck. Same with buying in with 50's.

 

[Rhodeman77]

As far as leaving the table, I always thinks its nice to declare this is my last time around or my last orbit. I think this is especially true if you're up a decent amount.

In a home game definitely, a casino no. But at the same time you don't want to get a reputation as a person that hits and runs if you plan on playing at the same place on a regular basis.

 

[Jambine]

.......In general, if you're amiable, polite and listen to the dealer you're already in the top 1/5 of players so don't sweat the small stuff.

,

THAT

 

[riotouslevity]

Either announce your bet /raise amount before you grab chips or count out your action by your stack then put it in the pot.

Some casinos will make you put every chip that crosses the line into the pot.

For example , you want to bet $10. You grab a stack of 7 $5 chips and reach over the line to drop 2 of them on the felt pulling the other 5 back.... Dealer may give you a warning not to do that... Additonal infractions , they will make you bet all those chips.

Proper: either announce "ten" then they don't care what's going back and forth.. or count out your $10 and only put $10 in the pot.

In general, announce your action before you act as verbal is binding. There will be no confusion.

----
When I go to a card room for the first time, I usually ask the folks at the desk the following:

What is the initial buy in procedure?
buy at the table or at the cage or something else. Rebuys are at the table always.

What is the cell phone policy?
Some you must be away from the table, others you can take a call while your in a hand... Tho I hate when people do that.

Where are the restrooms?
Critical to time what position to get up, pee and be back before the blinds pass you without giving up your most favored positions.

 

[GoStumpy]

Big one for me is don't muck your cards when you win. Slide them TO the line and let the dealer take them. Nice time to tip too throw a $1 on your mucked cards.

 

[Wils]

.I have been playing at the casinos live for about 8 years now in both 1-3 and 2-5 and have only been Straddling the last couple years, and only when I feel the game is right for it.

OK looking from the reverse angle, if I'm in a game and someone else is straddling what does that tell me about that person and how they perceive the table?

Sorly if that is a stupid question.

 

[colter ripton]

Usually when people are straddling alot it just means that they are there to play and gamble. If a very good player is straddling it could be that it is a bit of a slow table and he's trying to get some action going.