PokerSchool Online works hard to create a learning atmosphere to help better our player's skills. Therefore we require a certain amount of etiquette from each of our members. Pokerschool Online, Inc. has a 'no tolerance' rule for abusive language. All chat is logged and the tables are monitored. Abusive players can be removed from the site at the discretion of Pokerschool Online, Inc. without a refund.

• Choose a nickname/user name that is not offensive.

• New students are joining all of the time and one of the first things they do is start playing right away and have some fun before reading any of the lessons. We ask all members to be patient with newer members and if possible, direct them to the lessons on PSO.

• Treat other players the way you wish to be treated.

• When using the chat function, use English only.

• Do not discuss a hand while it is still being played.

• If you need to excuse yourself, click on the 'post and fold' button to avoid making other players wait for you to time out of your turn.

• If another player appears to be lagging, please bring it to his or her attention in a kind manner. Often the player is not aware of the situation.

• If observing a table, please respect the players' wishes if they ask you to stop chatting.

• There will be times when players do not want to be interrupted and players' wishes must take preference over observers'.

• The PSO Software also has features that will allow players to block chat from observers and other players.

• If you wish to talk to a player who is involved in a pot, please wait until the pot is over.

• Use the Live Help feature to call a manager into the room if there is a dispute rather than allowing tempers to flare.

When a player first goes to a live casino poker room, the intimidation level is about as high as it will ever be. Just as with any new circumstance, we human beings feel unsure of ourselves, perhaps a little self-conscious and not at our optimum. Learning poker room etiquette will certainly help to keep the new player from falling into the many pitfalls that can pull him into that territory of complete "tilt" (the place where a player plays poorly, irrationally and emotionally).

Here is a list of things to keep in mind at all times when you are new to a casino poker room:

• Familiarize yourself with the house rules. In almost every poker room, there is a large sign hanging on a nearby wall that will explain everything you will need to know that is particular to this poker room. Below are some examples:
  • English only can be spoken at the table
  • Vulgar language will not be tolerated
  • A game may be broken at any time
  • Check raising is permitted
  • A three raise cap is allowed on all betting rounds
  • The decision of the poker room manager or floor person is final

• Keep your cards on the table at ALL times. Never take them off the table to "peek" at them as you will be reprimanded immediately.

• Do not hide your cards behind your chips or under your hands by accident or on purpose.

• Play in turn. This includes folding your hand out of turn so that you may get up and leave your seat. Wait until it is your turn, then do so. It also includes betting out of turn. Both these actions gives valuable information to players who have yet to act.

• Play at a reasonable speed. All of us at one time or another is faced with having to make an important decision which will require a longer period of thought than usual. Most players will not object to you doing this...unless you do it consistently.

• Treat others the way you wish to be treated. It is the old adage about people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. We are all human, and we all make mistakes. Criticizing other players, swearing at them when they draw out on your perfect hand, and saying condescending things to intimidate another player is just plain inconsiderate and rude.

• When you bet, place your bet where the dealer can reach it.

• Don't splash the pot by throwing your bet into the middle of the previous hands chips. The dealer needs to be able to see your bet and he will collect all the bets and place them together in the center of the table. That is his job, and no one else's.

• If you are angry because you continue to get really crummy cards, don't turn them over and expose them to the other players while the hand is still going on. This gives information that may skew the way the game was going to be played.

• If you are going to wear a headset and listen to music, don't play it so loud that it disturbs the players around you.

• After a hand has been completed, don't sit around dissecting it. The hand is finished and it is on to the next one. No one, including you, wants to hear about what is wrong with your play.

• Don't throw your cards. Don't throw them on the floor, across the table or at the dealer. Enough said.

• Don't make statements that could sway another player's action. If you have folded and you had the K4 and a KK6 comes on the flop, don't gasp and announce that you had a K and you would have won that pot "dad burnit." This could completely influence the actions of the other players now, regardless of whether you had the K or not.

• When you decide to fold, do it by placing your cards face down and sliding them gently within reach of the dealer.

• Don't take up more space on the table than is rightfully yours. Your chips, cash (if allowed) and perhaps a card cover used to protect your cards is all that is needed.

• Don't try to peek at another player's cards.

• Clarify your action verbally. Announce clearly your action so no one will have a chance to be confused. "I CHECK." "I RAISE." "I CALL." "I FOLD." If you are in a tournament and your intention is to go all in, then say "ALL IN."

• Do not 'string bet' as this will cause you undue embarrassment. A bet and raise has to be made all in one motion. In most clubs, if a player announces "I RAISE," then making multiple trips back to his stack to put in his chips is allowed. HOWEVER, if a player puts in his call with one motion and then reaches back into his stack and says, "and I raise"...be ready to receive the wrath of some very unhappy poker players. The reason why string betting is illegal is that a player might put in part of his bet, hesitate just long enough to see the reactions of the other players, and then, dependent on their reactions, maybe increase his bet. Not a good idea. This is called an 'angle,' and not looked on very kindly by anyone.

• Try to keep in check your general conversation. Not everyone wants to sit around and shoot the breeze with you. Some people love to sit and socialize. Some do not. Be considerate and sensitive to other people and their needs.

• One person to a hand. Other players really get perturbed to see one player coaching another.

• If you choose to use alcohol while playing, please make certain your cocktail consumption does not have an adverse effect on your behavior.

• Please tip the dealer. These guys work very hard to give you a good, fast, fun game. They don't make a great deal of money in wages and depend on tips or tokes to make a living. When you get bad cards, it is not their fault. Don't shoot the messenger. They are doing their job. Take care of them, just as you would want to be taken care of.

• Basically, just be nice. Enjoy your game. If you find you are not enjoying the game and the only thing you feel is anger and animosity toward the other players and the dealer, remove yourself and come back another day. It will be best for everyone.