Las Vegas Poker: It pays to learn the rules - Las Vegas poker

As a Las Vegas Poker Dealer and Certified Poker Tournament Director, I often see poker online players inadvertently violate rules both in live (cash) games and tournaments. A brief study of Poker Rules will greatly increase your table image and help you avoid possible costly penalties or perhaps disqualification.
Know the Basic Poker Rules and Etiquette...
Know the correct mechanics with the game you might be playing prior to deciding to sit down in the table. Understand antes and blinds, position, how you can raise so when to act therefore.
Know the best way to protect your hand! Be especially careful when seated immediately left or right from the dealer since many 'accidental' muck incidents involve these positions.
Know the best way to raise and get away from string bets. Say 'raise', and also the amount that you would like to raise before putting your chips who are holding cards.
Know when it is your turn to do something, try to play consequently. Don't call, bet or fold unless it's your turn.Know your position then when it's your use post the blinds (and antes).
Know the Applicable TDA Rules...
The Poker Tournament Directors Association (TDA) rules are employed in most live poker tournaments as well as set the standard for tournament poker. TDA rules supplement the House Rules of the casino or card room.
There are still 54 TDA rules, below are a few samples...
4: CommunicationPlayers might not talk about the phone while in the chat box. House rules connect with all other forms of electronic devices.
25: Rabbit HuntingNo rabbit hunting is allowed. Rabbit hunting is revealing any cards 'that could have come' when the hand we had not ended.
27: Action PendingA player must stop at the table if she has a live hand.
You can easily see the complete TDA Rules at
Know Your House Rules...
Every Casino and Poker Room could have its own unique house rules. House rules generally supersede TDA rules when conflicting rules connect with a situation. Next time you check out the Poker Room, check the your laws to avoid any difficulty. They are posted (usually about the wall) nearby the desk, and quite often available online or you can request a printed copy.
And Know a couple of Unwritten Rules...
Always maintain your cards and chips about the table in plain view.
Don't splash (throw your chips into) the pot. Place bets prior to you so that they can be counted and verified. The Dealer will likely then rake the bets into pot following your betting round is complete.
Don't Tap the Glass. Don't criticize the novice players' action and scare the fish away.
Don't talk $#@! All casinos, poker rooms and card rooms prohibit using obscene language. 'Any player who uses such language or constitutes a foul, profane, obscene or vulgar statement, or speaks abusively to a new player, a dealer or perhaps a Tournament staff member, will be penalized or ejected.'
Never comment about the players' cards if you're not within the hand.
Don't switch seats unless asked by the state or leave the table when it's your turn at the blinds.
If you take in or drink with the table, don't come up with a mess. Don't be a pig...
These rules come in place to insure game integrity. All Players have the right to sit back at the table, and expect that this game will probably be fair.