Poker etiquette
for home games
Even the most
die hard online poker players like to take a break from online
casino games in order to get together with a small group of
friends to play poker at home. Home games are a great way to
play your favorite game and physically visit with a couple
friends or even family members.
Home games
range from laid back easy going events to regular Friday night
no holds barred games for real cash. Whatever the case may be -
if you are relaxing with a group of close friends, new friends,
or even playing a more serious home poker game – these few tips
are something you should consider taking to heart.
Home games can
give all types of poker players a chance to bone up on their
poker playing skills at a more leisurely pace. Some home games
are pretty serious and offer major action. Again, no matter what
your particular home game’s genre is, be sure to implement these
universal tips on how to behave at home games.
-
Be honest (we are not talking about bluffing). Never try to
short change any of the players in the game. This goes for all
home games, whether it is at your house or someone else’s house.
Do not attempt to short change the pot or cheat in any way. It
is just plain tasteless and uncalled for. You won’t get away
with it at online poker rooms or land based casinos – so don’t
try at a home game.
-
Play at a reasonable pace. The quicker the better. Do not sit
and think about your hand each and every time it is your turn to
act. Slow players are only a waste of everyone’s time – yours
included.
-
Always be courteous and friendly. You are not playing in the
Main Event of the WSOP. This is a home game. If you are the type
of player that is unlikely to be able to be friendly – stay at
online poker rooms where you are not physically sitting at a
table with others. We are not saying that you should be rude at
online casinos, but you can just get away with being a lot
quieter there.
-
Be a good winner. Do not gloat when you win a hand. It is
annoying and no matter what the other players say – they hate a
gloater. Be gracious. You could just as easily be the loser
here.
-
Be a good loser. Just as you should be a good winner, you need
to be a calm loser. Even if you got stuck with a really bad beat
– move on. Your next win could be just a short hand away. Bad
losers usually don’t get invited to the next home game. Do not
insult another player’s win, it is just senseless.
-
You should always let the other players know if you have to
leave early or otherwise break the game up. Communication in
this matter in strongly suggested, especially if you are
winning. NO player likes to see someone leave the game early
when they have won a bunch of money. You don’t want o give the
wrong impression in any way when you leave early – unannounced.
-
If you are the host of the home game, make all your guests feel
comfortable. It is a really good idea to offer snacks and
refreshments. By showing the other players at the table that
they are welcome is a very nice touch.
-
Many poker players will enjoy a few adult beverages while
playing at home games. While this is fine a very normal – do not
get drunk or otherwise unruly. Whether it is your house or not,
it is never acceptable to impair your judgment when real money
is changing hands. More disagreement will happen when people are
incapacitated in any way.
-
It is always a good idea to set firm house rules before the
first hand is even dealt. Never add rules during game play and
make sure all players understand each home rule. Home rules are
frequently implemented at home games. More strict and serious
home games do not usually differ from official game rules.
-
If you want o set a time limit for the entire night, be sure
that all players involved know the time limit on the game. Some
games go until the wee hours of the morning. Some have a basic
time frame. Whatever type of game time you wish to play – be
certain that everyone ids on the same page before you even start
playing. More players will be likely to get upset if you all the
sudden say ‘okay one more hand and let’s call it a night’
right out of the blue. Losers will especially feel jilted and
that they were not given a chance to win there money back.
Guidelines are always a great plan, this sway there is no reason
for any p[layer to feel jilted.
-
Never give another player advice in the middle of a hand – even
if they ask for it. This is a no win situation. If you give the
wrong advice and the player loses, you look bad. If you give
advice and the person wins, others may be offended that you are
in collusion with that player. If you are at home with family
and the game is just for fun – obviously things will be
different. Be a good judge of this. If you usually help each
other, but there is a new player(s) at the table – they may also
be offended.
While we
realize that home games come in many fashions, the basic
etiquette should be followed pretty closely. If you already have
a familiar group of players that you play with on a regular
basis, you will deviate a bit from some rules of home game
etiquette, but the more uniform a game you play, the better
results you will get out of the experience as a whole.
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