Many players wouldn’t think that basic poker etiquette would be much of a factor when playing online, but the truth is that maintaining your composure and being courteous to other players is just as important on the digital felt as it is in the brick and mortar casinos.
Even though you can’t throw anything or physically assault your online opponents, there are a couple of things you can do which will irritate your fellow poker players, sometimes without you even knowing you are doing it.
Slowing Down the Action
If you ask any online poker player the one thing that drives them nuts day after day, they will probably start to complain about how many players take such a long time to make a decision that it feels like they simply got up and walked away from the computer.
The major culprit here is that the player is focusing on something else while they are playing, such as watching TV.
They eventually notice that it is their turn to act, albeit 20 seconds after the first alert sounded. Don’t become one of these people. Everyone that plays online does so because they get to see many more hands per hour than they would playing live poker, and you take a piece of that enjoyment away from them whenever you needlessly slow down the action.
Written Harassment
Though it is hard to understand, many players love to berate their opponents via the table chat function that every internet card room provides.
It is natural to get mad and frustrated whenever a weaker player gets that one card they needed on the river to take the pot, but that doesn’t mean you need to hit them with every lewd profanity in the book.
The vast majority of online poker plays are playing for the fun and excitement online poker can provide, not to be abused because they got lucky. In some cases, if abuse is particularly brutal or ongoing, an online card room will suspend or even permanently revoke a player’s right to play at that site.
Luckily, these are really the only two ways a player can be a major nuisance online considering splashing the pot and blowing smoke in someone’s face is impossible to do through a computer monitor.
Thankfully, most people refrain from writing a lot of negative comments to their opponents. Make certain, however, that you pay attention to the game and the action at all times and try your best to not slow down the action for any reason. Your competition will thank you, hopefully by losing their bankroll to you.
Key Points
• Stay focussed on the game to avoid slowing down the action
• Treat your opponents with respect
Chris
- Chris Laquinta is a magazine editor, content specialist and poker fanatic with 10+ years writing experience and over 1,500 published articles. Chris is a naitive of Southern California, where he spent his entire life learning gaming concepts and theories from relatives that had been former professional gamblers. He currently resides in Torrance, CA where he works as a professional content writer and part-time SNG professional.
