Audience:
(Applause)
- Hey, hello, hi.
- Oh, yes, hello, hello.
Hello, everyone,
and welcome to PlaySmart's
Get Your Game On:
Ask an Expert Edition.
Today we're going to learn
some of the rules
and etiquette of casino poker,
specifically Texas Hold 'Em.
So let's get at it.
Here with me
is our resident expert.
- Are you ready, Jason?
- I'm good to go, let's do it.
Perfect.
You know, let's start
by explaining why casino poker
is different
than playing at home.
Okay, well, they are actually
quite different from each other.
For starters,
playing in a casino
is certainly more complicated
just because there's so many
other factors
-that come into play.
- Okay. Like what?
Well, when you're playing
at home,
there might not be rules
beyond the actual gameplay.
But playing live in a casino
requires some
additional knowledge
of how players should act
at the table...
the "etiquette",
so to speak...
how they bet,
and how they play their cards.
While some of these rules may
seem a little bit over the top,
they're in place
so that gameplay can follow
a standard and fair approach
for everyone.
All right,
now that sounds great.
You know, the first question
that a lot of players have
is if there are rules
around table etiquette.
I know for me, personally,
I sometimes
get a little intimidated
when I'm around the poker table,
not sure if I am doing
the right thing
- or the wrong thing.
- Right,
and that is very common,
but with a little know-how,
you'll be just fine.
So here's a few helpful tips
about table etiquette
that'll build your confidence
and help you play
without looking like a newbie.
First, do not,
under any circumstance,
reveal your cards to anyone
on or off the table.
Keep them face down on the table
in front of you
and only bend them up
just enough
to be able to see your hand.
Right, so you don't want
anyone to see them.
Oh, of course.
Not only is it not allowed,
it could give players
a huge advantage over you.
Another tip
is watch your "tells".
- Ooh, tells?
- Yes.
Now, tells are a change
in your behaviour or demeanour
that could indicate
what your hand is.
Most people, even the most
experienced players,
do it without even noticing.
Paying attention to tells
isn't a requirement for playing,
but it can help
inform your play strategy.
So try to control your body
and behaviour ;
a change in eye contact,
getting excited,
acting distracted,
trembling hands,
or even facial expressions
like the rise of an eyebrow
may reveal more about your hand
than you intend.
You know what,
that is good to know,
very good to know.
Thank you.
You know, are there tips
around poker chips too?
For sure, how you treat
your chips is very important.
So keep your chips stacked
and out in front of you,
so that every player
can see what you have.
Don't take them off the table.
Not only is it not allowed,
it's also strategic
for all players
to compare what they have
versus others.
Okay, great.
Now, another question
that comes up a lot is,
"Is there a proper way to bet?"
Absolutely, and we're not
talking about "how much",
but rather, "how to".
In other words,
how to bet
so that there is no confusion
around your actions.
Hmm, okay, can you give us
an example?
Well, for instance,
when making a bet,
you could either say it
verbally
or you can put down your bet
without saying anything.
Now, I recommend verbally
communicating your bet
because it makes things clearer.
Keep in mind that verbal bets
are binding,
even over actions on the table.
So, if you were to say,
"I raise you $20,"
but mistakenly only put down,
say, 10,
it's the words that will be
what the dealer goes by.
- Okay, I never knew that.
- It's true.
You know,
and a lot of people don't.
Now, keep in mind,
voicing your bet is up to you,
but there are other
aspects of betting
that aren't allowed as a rule.
For example,
if you're raising,
you have to put in
the full amount all at once.
You can't put some chips down
and then reach back
to your stack to bet more.
When a player does this,
it's a version
of what's called a "string bet".
Now, you might be able
to get away with a string bet
at a home game,
but not a casino.
The first amount
you put into the pot
counts as your bet, period.
Unless, of course, you verbally
communicated differently.
Now, another tip,
and this is very common,
is you can't say,
"I call your bet
and raise you X,"
like they do in the movies.
- Movies, of course.
- Right? We've all seen it.
But these are two
distinct plays.
You can either call
or you can raise, not both.
Ah, okay, so you're trying
to say that I wasn't as cool
as I thought all those times.
No, no, no, don't worry,
a lot of people
do not know this,
but it's a key part
to playing poker at the casino.
String bets and unclear bets
create confusion
and slow down the pace
of the game for everyone.
Okay, well, thank you, Jason!
- Thank you.
- We appreciate you.
You know those are
some great answers
to some popular poker questions.
That's it for this episode,
but there are a lot more
questions to answer out there,
so stay tuned for more
PlaySmart's
Get Your Game On:
Ask an Expert Editions,
helping you play smart
and play with confidence.
( ♪♪ )
