Table Etiquette in Texas Holdem...

Table etiquette is arguably just as important as knowing when to raise and when to fold. It is all too common to even see professional players acting unprofessionally at the poker table. Flaunting your superior knowledge and belittling the play of others is, quite simply, a bad play.

Suppose a player has just cracked your pocket aces on the river by catching a miraculous card to make two pair. He cold-called your early position raise with a 92s, called another bet on the flop with a pair of deuces, called your turn bet unimproved, and caught a nine on the river.

This sort of thing happens, as you will soon realize, with surprising frequency. The worst thing for you to do is to ask this player "why?". The absolute worst thing you can do is tell him how badly he played. Control your emotions, try to say something complimentary (if you can do so without sarcasm), and do your best to get over it.

Sure, it's frustrating to lose with a premium hand, especially to a horrible hand and a horrible player. But what do you hope to accomplish by berating that player? Do you want him to play better? Would you rather have it that he starts learning the game?

You always need to remember that poker is profitable for you because of other player's mistakes. You need to learn to be pleased when you see people make these sorts of plays, because you'll end up with their money in the long run.




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