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Thursday, July 24, 2014

DON’T TALK ABOUT THE HAND IN PROGRESS



It is one of the primary rules in a poker game. Talking at a poker table is allowed, you can talk about anything with everybody. But don’t talk about a hand in progress and especially if you are not involved. 

I have played many live or online tournaments. I rarely heard the poker manager, the floorman or even the dealer talk about this one rule. There are many beginners that are so excited by the game that they often talk about the folded cards or about the nuts when seeing the flop.

Once this occurs, the players involved in the current hand get more information about the opponent’s possible hole cards as they should have. 

I think it is not only about talking but also about gestures or emotional outbursts at the table. If, for example, you folded pocket threes and in the flop comes you possible set, you can’t stand up beating with your hands on the table and cry: “…why I didn’t play this hand!” or say to another player: “… I knew my set would come, damn!”

Whose fault is it, when the players don’t know the rule? Is it on the dealer, the floorman or the event manager? Or should the rules of the tournament, including this one, have to be written and shown to the players before the game begins?

Either way, think about this rule every time and that it is necessary to keep your poker face even if you are not involved in the current hand.



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