If you’re used to playing poker for leisure at home or perhaps to pass the time with friends, moving on to poker tournaments or more competitive environments can be intimidating. When you find yourself in a high-stakes setting, be it at live or online poker, it’s natural to experience some level of discomfort or uncertainty.
The good news is that through practice and reading up on what not to do when playing poker for the first time, you can become more comfortable with the rules of poker game variations. Once that happens, you’ll gain more confidence and start to approach this much-loved casino game with your eye on the pot.
Poker Etiquette and Unwritten Rules
Whether you’re participating in a bingo tournament, slots tournament, or any other casino game, respect for your opponents and dealer is a universal, unwritten rule. Poker etiquette also requires you to be a team player by not being a time waster. While it’s okay when necessary to take a bit of time before playing, it’s considered bad poker etiquette to deliberately slow the game down by playing at a slow pace.
Chit-chat and murmur during a game are also widely frowned upon since some players find it distracting and disruptive. Similarly, accepting phone calls or being on your phone is poor etiquette. When you receive a call that you have to answer, it’s best to excuse yourself and step away from the casino table. Ideally, your phone should be off to avoid these distractions.
Things You Shouldn’t Do When Playing Poker for the First Time
In addition to the above first-time casino tips for poker players, these are some other things that you shouldn’t do when playing poker:
Don’t Show Your Hand During a Game
Even if the person next to you is a friend or an opponent who has already folded, you shouldn’t show your hand to anyone during the game. Similarly, seeking advice or trying to get someone to show you their hand is also against poker rules.
Don’t Go On About Bad Beats
It’s impossible to win every single poker game that you play, so you must expect some losses and not whine when things don’t go your way. Playing the blame game when you’re beaten is not only a sign of immaturity but also suggests you’re an inexperienced player.
Don’t Ask the Dealer Questions During a Game
If you’re new to poker, it’s okay to have questions that you want to ask the dealer about policies or regulations. However, it’s best not to do so during a game because you’ll disturb your opponents and interrupt the flow of the game.
Don’t Try To Act Like You Know What You’re Doing if You Don’t
Everybody in the poker room was once a beginner, so you shouldn’t worry too much about coming across as inexperienced if you are. Other players will likely welcome and guide you if you’re still finding your feet; it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Don’t Act Out of Turn
Poker is an exciting game, and it’s easy to get carried away through telling or pre-empting the action, which you should try by all means not to do. You should only act or talk when it’s your turn. Otherwise, you might put yourself at a disadvantage by prematurely revealing your position in the game and giving your opponents a chance to counteract.
Don’t Be Too Quick To Call the Clock
To “call the clock” means to limit a player’s time during gameplay. This is done when a player is taking unusually long to think and play their hand. Give other players a chance to plan their moves and avoid calling the clock unnecessarily as a tactic to prevent your opponents from thinking and planning.
Observing Professional Poker Players To Learn from Them
Regardless of which industry you’re in, it’s always a good idea to take direction and learn from professionals who have years of experience. This is true for the gambling industry as well, as it can help you strengthen and improve the poker basics you’ve already gotten the hang of. By observing professional poker players, you can learn a lot about strategic thinking.
Throughout their careers, professional poker players try out different strategies in different situations. By closely monitoring these, you can get a better understanding of what works and which approach to take in different scenarios. Although different circumstances will never be exactly the same, by being exposed to what could happen in a live or virtual poker room, your thinking will start to adapt accordingly.
What’s more, watching professionals will also teach you a thing or two about emotional stability. Playing poker can be an emotional rollercoaster, but the pros have mastered the art of remaining calm under immense pressure, which any novice poker player should also aim to do.
Put Your Newfound Knowledge to the Test at Borgata Online
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced poker player, these tips on what not to do can come in handy for you. By grasping basic poker strategy, you’ll be able to get started in the game, and by implementing these tips, you can elevate your game and increase your winning potential. If you’re ready to play poker online, make your way to Borgata Online to register and discover all the poker variations on offer.