If you’ve ever played Texas Hold’em poker, roulette or blackjack at a land-based casino, you’ll know that there are certain unwritten rules in place (and some written ones, too!) These are in place to ensure everyone has a good time without any embarrassing moments or complications. For example, most casinos insist on a smart casual dress code and many expect you to keep your phone in your bag or pocket for the duration of your playing session. For obvious reasons, slow-rolling and angle shooting are also massive don’ts.

Considering that most people who play online poker do so in the comfort of their homes and, in many cases, in their cozy PJs with their smartphones close at hand, you could be forgiven for thinking that poker etiquette doesn’t apply in digital gambling situations. But the truth is that there is a right and wrong way to play online poker with friends – and even when playing against people you don’t know in person.

Read on to discover a list of online poker etiquette fails and how to avoid them.

Being Disrespectful To Other Players

Nobody enjoys it when they find themselves on a persistent losing streak, but nobody likes a sore loser either! Make an effort always to be respectful when playing real poker online, even if someone else says something rude to you. You’ll find that most online poker sites have rules in place in this regard, banning hate speech and discriminatory comments. Remember to always read through the rules of the casino thoroughly when signing up, not only so you know what to avoid but also so that you know exactly what your rights are.

Taking Too Long To Play Your Turn

If you’re still a beginner, you might need a little more time to make a calculated decision when playing live poker online. Obviously, it’s never a good idea to rush and make a choice that you’ll later regret. But taking an unreasonably long time to play every time your turn rolls around is bound to irritate the other players involved in the online poker tournament. As such, it’s a good idea to practice your skills and decision-making abilities with video poker online (where you play against the computer) until you’re truly confident in your poker prowess! Only then will it be time to move on to playing against real people.

Feeling Sorry for Yourself or Celebrating Too Enthusiastically

Did you lose a significant amount of money at the end of the last hand? Maybe someone pipped an impressive hand that you felt sure was going to win? No matter what kind of disappointment you experience when participating in an online poker tournament, it’s important to swallow your pride and carry on with your head held high. Complaining in the chat box isn’t going to help matters and is only going to annoy everybody else. Similarly, steer clear of boasting in the chat box following a sizable win. Rest assured that it’s not going to make you any friends!

Trying to Coach Another Player

Keep it to yourself if you notice that another player made a mistake or a poorly calculated decision. No matter how pure your intentions are, very few gamblers will take kindly to you trying to coach them to improve their gameplay. If the person in question is a real-life friend, relative, or acquaintance and you’d really like to assist them in bettering their game, go ahead and make the offer in private once the game ends. Poker-playing tips and advice have no place in the communal chat box!

Pulling a “Hit and Run”

A “hit and run” happens when someone wins a big amount of money, usually early on in the game, and then immediately leaves the table to play at another table, thinking it decreases their chances of losing the money. This obviously isn’t the case and is a move that serves no purpose except to annoy everyone else who’s playing. It’s a tell-tale sign that someone is an inexperienced poker player when they pull a “hit and run.” It takes away from the excitement of the game for other participants and is a general annoyance for most.

Using the Chat Box to Bluff

While it’s not necessary to perfect your “poker face” when playing poker online, it’s still possible to “bluff” and convince other players that you’ve got an impressive hand. The right way to do this is to raise your bet. The wrong way is to proclaim which cards you have (whether truthful or not) in the chat box! Just as you wouldn’t brag about holding a royal flush when sitting down at a poker table in a real casino, you shouldn’t do so when playing online.

Playing With a Poor Internet Connection

While it’s often impossible to predict when your internet connection will give you trouble, it’s important to avoid logging into an online casino and playing a live dealer tournament when you know your connection isn’t currently as stable as it usually is. This instability is sure to lead to delays and irritate other players. It could also put you at risk of losing money by unintentionally missing your turn!

Play Poker Online at Betmgm

Are you looking for an online poker site specializing in both video poker and live poker online? BetMGM ticks all the boxes, offering you a variety of poker variants to choose from, along with several different ways to play. Players of all experience levels are welcome to explore our expansive gaming menu and check out our online poker guide. Along with poker and other casino table games, we also promise a selection of online slots, Slingo, arcade games and sports betting.

Jump right in whenever you’re ready by registering via our convenient mobile portal.