Lesson 2 - Card Room Code of Conduct - Limit Holdem

Lesson 2

Most of the points I'm about to make are common to card rooms, casinos or online poker establishments. Although the industry has not set them all in stone, they are working towards reaching an accepted (standardized) set of guidelines that everyone can endorse.

Getting Started - Online you just click on the tab of the game or tournament you want, click again to add your name to a particular table waiting list for ring action, or double click to register for a tournament. If there are seats open in the ring game, you will be given a prompt to accept the seat. Tournaments are usually run on a schedule and although you registered, you must then remain online and will be seated automatically as the tournament begins. Note: In most online sites, you can un-register from a tournament prior to being "called-to-the-table," and if you don't want a seat in a ring game (say your in one already and doing well), you simply can decline when you are prompted. Your name will then be removed from the list. While waiting for a tournament to start, you can play a ring game, in fact, once the tournament starts you could be playing in a ring game and the tournament using a split screen setup on your computer. This is not advised for beginners, concentrate at the game at hand.

In a tournament you won't have to buy chips and when you register (or prior to registering), you are able to read specific details concerning the event and you will know the fixed amount of chips everyone will start with. In a ring game, you will be asked to bring a minimum amount of chips (also a maximum allowed) to the table. Example: you select a 2/4 limit table and the minimum should be $20, for a ½ table, it should be $10. You should select an amount of chips that will allow you to play your style of poker. It has been suggested that 10 times, up to 20 times the largest bet allowed (in the game you selected), might be good amount to have at your disposal. So for a 2/4 limit game, anywhere from $40-$80, however, you will see a number of players that will buy-in for the minimum ($20). Note: Often times you will see this player fall into two categories, either very aggressive right away and go all-in with their money, or they will sit tight and all of a sudden play for a pot with a big pair, hoping to double up and have more ammunition for battles to come. Short stacks most commonly tend to behave in either manner mentioned (personal preference).

If you enter a casino or card room as they have in California, you will have to find the place in the poker room to signup (usually a whiteboard hanging behind a raised podium), where a person will ask you, what games do you want to play and what are your initials. You can have them put your name on as many lists as they have by providing the person your initials (ALS). If you select a game that does not have a full table, they will point you to your table and you may select an empty seat, or the remaining seat that is open. Note: Always ask the dealer, because a player at the table may have requested a seat change following the hand they are in, and they have their choice over you. Chips can be purchased from the dealer in most casinos and card rooms; however, some of the smaller rooms might sell the chips you desire, right at the podium. If you purchase chips at the table, lay your money in front of you where the dealer can reach it and they will give you the chips you want to purchase and any change you have coming. Your chips should remain, directly in front of you and near the rail or the table (they can be slightly off center to allow you to view your cards as well).

Betting - The order in which the cards are dealt and the order in which betting occurs is clockwise. Someone should have a white round disc in front of them indicating they are the designated dealer for that hand (although you have a real dealer who will act in their behalf and shuffle up and deal each hand). The two positions (clockwise) from the dealer button are known as the "Blinds" and have a pre-determined forced bet.

The Small Blind is next to the button, and the Big Blind is right after the Small Blind. Everyone at the table will have the responsibility to "post" (you put a designated amount of chips out in front of you where the dealer can reach). In a 2/4 game the small blind will post $1 and the big blind $2. So, each time the dealer button goes a full turn around the table, each player will be required to post a total of three dollars. The higher the limits, the higher the blinds become. The blinds will be the last to act as the cards are dealt, prior to the flop (which are the 3-community cards that are turned face up and positioned in the center of the table). The small blind (if still in the hand), will be asked to bet or check.

Once betting has stopped following the flop, the 4th card (called the turn card) will be added to the 3-community cards face up and once again the small blind will be first to act (bet or check). This will again happen on the 5th card (called the river card). If neither blind remains in the hand, then the next person with cards going clockwise from the button will be the first to act. Having the button in front of you allows you to be last to act on all rounds following the flop. It is very good position to be in and sometimes the seat just before the button seat will raise early in the hand in order to make the button player fold. This person, in the what's called the "cut-off" seat, then becomes the last to act, and again, gains a favorable and desired position on the table enabling them to bet last.

Note: There will be betting limits in all fixed limit hold em' games, and no one is permitted to exceed that amount. The amount will vary as the hand progresses. Example: In a $10/$20 game, the betting limits are $10 -$20 for the first two rounds, and then they jump in increments of $20. Caution, there are variations of games and it is not uncommon to have a Spread Limit game in Vegas, where the bettor can wager any amount within the limits set at the table. It might be anywhere from 1-8 at a spread table, and any raise must be at least double the original bet. In pot limit games, the money already in the pot determines bets and raises and the person betting can count his call as part of the pot. In no-limit games, the player may bet any amount of chips they have in front of them.

Other related explanations and guidelines

1. Table Stakes - You may play only with all the chips (although some casinos still allow you to leave additional paper money) on the table in front of you. If you run out of money you can only bet up to the amount you have and you may not reach in your pocket for more (that only happens on TV westerns).

2. String Bets - Making a bet (calling), then reaching back to your pile of chips and adding to your bet while then announcing raise, is not permitted. If you are intent on raising, you should verbally announce your desire to raise (in a limit game it is double the betting limit, and in nl you should announce the exact amount since you can bet up to all-in).

3. Going All-In - When you don't have enough chips to cover the bets and raises, you can declare All-In and you are then in the pot (for only the portion of the pot your money covered until that point). Although you are now out of chips, the other players can continue to bet and a "side-pot" will be established that you are not eligible to win (even if you have the best overall hand shown at showdown). Your entitlement remains solely with the main pot, which is all the money you covered prior to running out of chips.

4. Splashing The Pot - When you make any bet, simply and neatly, put the chips directly in front of your position at the table (where the dealer can reach them). Do not toss them about and have them roll or bounce into the established main pot (usually located in the middle of the table, directly in front of the actual dealer). This would be splashing the pot and may not allow the dealer to count the chips you actually placed during the bet. Additionally, when the bet is made in front of you and neatly, the players at the far end of the table can observe the entire table and see who did what (and the amount).

5. Protecting your Cards (hand) - It is very advisable that you use a chip or small object to place on your cards after you have looked at them. It alerts the dealer your cards are in play. If not, and when it is your turn to act, the dealer may sweep away your cards into the muck, thinking you wanted to fold. Not being attentive at the table can cost you a pot. All cards must remain in plain sight and you should not remove them "away" from the table. The best way to view your cards is to shield them with your other hand and peek at the two corners of the cards. You will see their denomination and suits (something you should practice remembering, as you should avoid frequent looks at your cards). At the end of any hand, if you are not sure what you have, turn the cards over and place them just in front or your stack and keep your hand on them until the dealer calls out the winning hand. Cards speak, so when in doubt, let the dealer make a final determination, you could miss your flush and hit a straight and not realize it.

6. Time - If you have a question or need a little more time to make a decision, simply ask the dealer for "time." This freezes the action and allows you to get an issue resolved or for you to make a final decision to bet or not. You should not abuse time requests, as players tend to want to play at a table with few interruptions.

7. Acting in Turn - As the play proceeds clockwise around the table, you must wait until it is your turn to act. Don't attempt to muck your cards prior to your turn, it is impolite and provides information and an advantage to someone at the table.

8. Don't Discuss Hands While In Play - Any discussions of a hand should be done after the hand is complete (the best time is during the shuffle). Never talk about or show your cards to anyone while the hand in progress, even if you or they are not contesting the pot.

9. Tipping - It is common practice to tip the dealer after each and every hand. The size of the tip is generally determined by the size of the pot won, or by the betting limits in your game. Most low limit games the dealer receives a dollar or two from the winner (this is how they make a living). In large games the tips do run higher and then there are players who tip well at any level table they play. You are not required to match their generosity but you are expected to contribute something to the dealer, although you not required to do so.

10. Cashing Out - When you get ready to leave (I suggest just prior to you having to post your big blind again), you can tell the dealer, "deal me out." They will pass you by and you may then put your chips back into empty racks found throughout the card room. Hopefully you need many and have had a winning session. Take your chips to either the podium where you purchased them, or to the cashier cage in the poker room. They will promptly cash you out and thank you for your play.

11. Comps - Find out prior to play if you can earn comps for playing a certain number of hours (just ask the floor person). Some casinos will provide you with a meal comp and in addition, when booking a room, call ahead and always check with the poker room directly for a "poker rate." Again, based on daily play, you may save yourself a tremendous amount of money each day for your room.