Cryptocurrency poker has recently become very popular worldwide due to its anonymity and accessibility. Thanks to the advantages of easy participation without identity verification or complicated procedures, new players are quickly coming in, but there are also increasing cases of players participating in the game without being familiar with basic poker rules or etiquette.
These players’ bad manners disrupt the flow of the game and cause friction with existing players. In particular, since cryptocurrency poker is played quickly online and can be played with global users, it is most important to maintain order and manners in the game.
In this article, we will introduce 7 implicit poker manners that all players must follow, although they are not in the poker rulebook. These etiquettes apply regardless of whether it is online or offline poker, so please be sure to familiarize yourself with them and practice them in real life.
1. Do not shoot at angles
Angle shooting is a play that maliciously exploits loopholes in the rules to gain an advantage. For example, this includes deliberately hiding high-value chips behind other chips or expressing one’s actions in an ambiguous manner to elicit a reaction from the opponent. Although it may not be a rule violation in terms of form, it is considered unethical in the poker community because it clearly intends to deceive the opponent. Although this behavior may be beneficial in the short term, it is a shortcut to losing trust and becoming an unwelcome player at the table in the long term.
2. Do not string bet
String betting refers to betting chips in multiple installments instead of betting all at once. Since the moment of betting is generally a very important moment in the nature of poker games, it can be seen as an act of trying to gauge the mood of the opponent. In online poker games, this is impossible due to the system, but it happens more often than you think in offline poker games. Even intermediate players make such unmannerly bets more often than you think without even knowing it.
3. Don’t Slow Roll
Slow rolling is the act of deliberately making your opponent wait while holding a winning hand and then slowly opening. Especially in a showdown situation, this behavior can create unnecessary expectations for your opponent and cause mental discomfort. In poker, bluffing is also a strategy, but a clean finish is more highly regarded after the game is over. If you have seen your opponent’s hand, it is polite to quickly reveal your hand.
4. Don’t Hit and Run
Hit and Run refers to leaving the table immediately after winning a large pot. It is relatively common in online poker, but it is considered bad manners offline. This is because the losing opponent does not get a chance to recover and ends up feeling frustrated. Of course, you may have to leave for personal reasons, but in such cases, it is better to briefly explain the situation or play one or two more rounds and leave. This is more than just courtesy; it is respect for the game.
5. Don’t waste time
While it is natural to play long-winded in a pot with a large bet, thinking too long in a pot with a small amount of money can ruin the flow of the game. Also, some players use waste time as a strategy, but this is considered bad manners play that greatly reduces the fun of the game. Cryptocurrency poker often proceeds at a faster pace than regular poker, so you should be very careful.
6. Hide your chips to let your opponents down
It is basic poker manners to clearly show your chip stack. If you hide your high-value chips behind you and only show your low-value chips in front, your opponents may not know your actual stack and may make incorrect strategic decisions. This is also considered an act related to angle shooting, and opaque stack placement, whether intentional or not, is not welcome. In online poker, chip counts are clearly displayed, which reduces such mistakes, but you should be even more careful in live poker.
7. Commenting on the game in progress
Even if you are not in the pot, talking about the game in progress or making exclamations can influence your opponents’ judgment. For example, saying something like “I think there’s a flush over there!” can convey unnecessary information to the remaining players. Some speech plays (verbal bluffing) are used as a strategy, but these situations should also be approached with caution, as a single word can disrupt the fairness of the game.
Poker is not just a card game. It is not only about skill, strategy, and psychological warfare, but also about mutual respect and manners. Even in an environment where anonymity is guaranteed, such manners are absolutely necessary. Remember that etiquette is as important as rules, and try to be a player who leaves a good impression on your opponents in the next game.
