Poker etiquette is a must when playing poker either at home, online or in a casino. Proper etiquette helps to keep the game fun and entertaining, as well as limits possible problems from arising between players. Poker etiquette is a list of simple rules of the game geared toward fairness, no matter what kind of poker you are playing.

How to learn poker etiquette covers a few basics found in almost all poker games, regardless of where you play. Step 1 of how to learn poker etiquette covers etiquette Don'ts. These actions should be avoided while playing poker in casinos and tournaments, as well as home games. Step 2 of how to learn poker etiquette addresses etiquette Do's. Regardless of where you play, they will serve you well. Finally, step 3 will discuss additional etiquette rules that apply when playing online. The enforcement of these will vary from site to site. On some online poker sites, not following these simple rules may result in the loss of player account in addition to a ban from further play.

When learning poker etiquette, remember they are for everyone’s benefit. Poker etiquette is generally considered good manners, which make learning them even easier. In the long run you will have a more enjoyable poker experience and others around you will also.

How to learn poker etiquette starts with the DON’Ts when playing poker. Everything covered here will generally be enforced when playing at casinos and tournament poker places. They should also be incorporated into your house rules for your home poker games.

Don’t flash your cards: Flashing cards means that you show what you are folding to other players when you fold or muck. Doing this gives players still in the hand information that may influence how they play their hand. The only time cards should be shown is during showdown from players in the hand. Don’t play out of turn: Poker table position is an important part of poker. Like flashing cards, playing out of turn gives other players information that can influence their action. It can also backfire and cost you more in the long run since they will already know your action before their turn. (Note: In casinos and tournaments playing out of turn can get your hand forfeited)

Don’t splash the pot: Tossing chips into the pot, as seen in movies, is actually poor poker etiquette. The problem it causes is that it makes it hard to determine what your bet was. In some casinos and tournaments splashing the pot repeated could result in forfeiture of your hand.

Don’t make string bets: One of the biggest misconceptions seen on television and movies is a poker player saying, “I’ll call your 200 and raise another 500”. A “call” in poker is considered only putting into the pot the amount another player bets, while a “raise is increasing the bet of other player. Implying both actions is considered a string bet. In tournament and casino play the first action (the call) you state is all that will be allowed. http://www.homepokertourney.com/rules_etiquette.htm

Learning good poker etiquette is as much about manners as it is about good common sense. Having good manners at a poker table will keep you from becoming a target of other players and raise your level you are respected by your opponents.

The following list will cover some of the basic Do's of poker etiquette:

Do be polite: Being polite while playing poker is important in many ways. Rude or disrespectful players are generally made targets by other players at the table. When playing in a tournament the general rule of thumb to remember is, “if you don’t have something nice to say don’t say anything at all.

Poker is a social game and should be played in a polite manner. Being polite isn’t the same as being competitive. There is nothing wrong with being competitive while playing. Learning good poker etiquette is as much about manners as it is about good common sense. Having good manners at a poker table will keep you from becoming a target of other players and raise your level of respect by your opponents.

Do play in a timely manner: It is understood that poker requires careful playing and sometimes making a call or folding is a hard decision. Most poker tournaments and casinos will allow lee way of time however there are some limits. If you stall the game for an extended period of time your opponent can request clock action. Clock action will force play after a given amount of time no matter if you are ready or not.

Playing poker online is one of the fastest growing forms of entertainment. Each site follows a set list of poker etiquette rules with additional rules for each site as well. This step will cover a few of the basic additional rules that sites may or may not enforce.

Online poker follows a set of rules to help insure a sense of fairness in play and equality amount players regardless of background. This helps leave the game to be decided based on skill and luck. Following are just a few of the most common additional etiquette rules most poker sites enforce.

One account per person: By allowing each player to have only one account at a time online poker sites help insure that no one person gains an upper hand at a table. This rule is similar to not talking about or showing your hand once you fold during that hand in that by knowing more then one hand a player gains an unfair advantage.

No foul language: Online poker sites filter their chat boxes so to limit the kind of language used with respect to all players.

Age requirement: All poker sites require player be at least 18 years of age, unlike home games where age requirement is based on house rules.