It may sound obvious to some that playing any game with other people requires some basic sense of decency and poise. Well-designed software will usually bear the brunt of your aggression and impatience with saintly resignation and if your purpose for playing poker is to get rid of pent up emotion or to redirect frustration you had better stick to customized bot opponents. But it is surprising the amount of people who behave like bullies and hillbillies, sometimes in the belief that it is a manner of bluffing.

Behavior, obviously tells a lot about a player, and I think one may fairly depend that reserved, politely brisk behavior is characteristic of a focused, purposeful player who is there to stay for some decent, quality or at least honest games. The reverse is also true: the more purposeful and efficient learner a player is, the more they are likely to intuit basic etiquette.

Professionals are known for both being masters at their craft and masters of manners. A pleasant atmosphere is the result of good manners which makes a focused, professional game a reality. Common sense dictates that insulting your opponents is always a mistake, they are responsible for your game being profitable.

There is definitely as great a need for etiquette on line as in live games. First and foremost, minimize chatting. Remember that every time you type a message, you reveal information, as well as receiving it. Information gleaned that way may easily mislead, and frequent messages, to you or between others, may distract. It is sensible, depending on your sensibilities, to even close the chat for the duration of the game or at any specific stage.

Just as it is considered impolite to discuss your income with outsiders, it is equally so to discuss your level of mastery of the game or of any acquaintances’ game. So if you are indulging in a chatfest, you may be revealing way more than you intend.

If you must, greet friends and answer questions with polite reserve. Save the juicy chit-chat for ICQ: you will be doing your friends, and the rest of the table, as much a favor as yourselves. Games do not happen in chat rooms, but in Time - a realm beyond the control of your laser-pad mouse - and wasted time is wasted opportunity. Avoid using negative language: it will not achieve as much as you perhaps think it might and will unnecessarily pollute the atmosphere with repulsion. A few nice words to anybody may help, or will simply keep the atmosphere adequately neutral.

Attempting to raise the ire of your opponents by insulting their technique is not going to increase your odds of winning and again, may reveal more than you intended about you and your level of mastery. Out and out rudeness is officially not allowed in most online rooms.

If you must type a message, avoid doing so in upper case. This comes across as shouting or expressing yourself in an intensely emotional vein, which has no place in a game of cards. This is the mark of an immature player and reveals much more about your true self than you intended. No matter what, be cool, and never let anyone see you sweat.

The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker and receives Rakeback at InterPoker and Rakeback at Poker Heaven.

Tags: Poker

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