TH-P's “Poker Etiquette” checklist
Here's TH-P's “Poker Etiquette” checklist. So please take time and memorize it.
TOP FIVE NO-NO's1. Don't reveal your cards during hand play. Though it's not against the rules (some places may give a penaly), it is a horrible breach of etiquette. If you were not folding, you're hand will be ruled dead. The problem is that it can give one player an advantage over another and potentially ruin a pot for someone. Even if it is an accident, you should be apologizing your ass off.
2. If you folded and your cards would have made a great hand on the flop, don't reel back in your chair or bang your hand off of the table or let your stupid jaw hang open, letting everyone know that you would have hit that flop. In fact, don't react to the cards on the board at all. Again, it can potentially ruin a pot by giving some players an advantage.
3. Don't be a douchebag. You can become one by criticizing an opponent's play, being verbally abusive to another player, or by being cocky about how good you are (or think you are). On the flip side, if someone has met those qualifications by talking directly to you, the best thing to do is just smile and agree. “Ya, I got lucky there”, “I can see how I might've played that wrong”, and “Oh ya, I've heard of you before, I was told to look out” are all acceptable comments that will hopefully end the discussion. Don't let the sarcasm show though.
4. Don't blame the dealer. Also, don't wing your cards at the dealer or not tip him as a result of previous bad beat. They really, actually, and truly have no control over what cards are dealt. They are just there to do their job and they deserve respect.
5. Do not talk about a hand when you aren't in it. Giving advice to a live player is actually against the rules in most places. Simply talking about the hand is also in very bad taste though. The players who are still in the hand don't want to have to listen to your noise pollution when they're trying to focus on the other live opponents. So shut yer mouth.
There are, however, situations where a player not in the hand can talk about the hand and it's okay.
One situation is in "no limit" hold'em when players go all-in and there is a problem counting chips as well as the dealer. What happens is that players ofter get flustered, just making the biggest bet they could possibly make and the counting section of the brain short-circuits. Normally players who don't have all their money at stake can usually count faster, so it is acceptable to speak up and declare their all-in.