Our tournament is a "friendly" tournament, with players of all skill levels. Having said that, there are certain rules of behaviour that make sure that everybody enjoys themselves.

One Player To a Hand
You don't get to receive advice during a hand, and you don't get to give it. Play your own hand and let everyone else play their own hand.

Acting in Turn
Although you may see others fold or call out of turn, don't do it yourself. It is considered rude because it gives an unfair advantage to the players before you who have yet to act. This is especially important at the showdown when only three players are left. If players after you are acting out of turn while you decide what to do, say "Time!" to make it clear that you have not yet acted.

Handling Cards
You may find it awkward at first to peek at your own cards without exposing them to others. Note that the other players have no formal obligation to alert you to your clumsiness, although some will. Watch how the other players manage it and emulate them. Leave your cards in sight on the table at all times; you cannot hold them in your lap or show them to other people.

It is not a bad idea to put a chip on your cards. If your cards are just sitting out in the open, you are subject to two possible disasters. First, the dealer may scoop them up by mistake, or they can become mixed up with another player's cards as they fold.

Keeping Pace
In order to ensure the tournament ends in hours instead of days, everybody must do their part to keep pace. If the bet comes around to you, try and be prepared.

Accidentally Checking
While you decide, don't tap your fingers nervously. Tapping fingers is a clear declaration that you are checking.

String Bets
A "string bet" is a bet that initially looks like a call, but then turns out to be a raise. Once your hand has put some chips out, you may not go back to your stack to get more chips and increase the size of your bet, unless you verbally declared the size of your bet at the beginning. If you always declare "call" or "raise" as you bet, you will be immune to this problem. Note that a verbal declaration in turn is binding, so a verbal string bet is possible and also prohibited. That means you cannot say "I call your $5, and raise you another $5!" Once you have said you call, that's it. The rest of the sentence is irrelevant. You can't raise.

Splashing the Pot
In some home games, it is customary to throw chips directly into the pot. In a public tournament, this is cause for dirty looks, a reprimand from the dealer, and possibly stopping the game to count down the pot. When you bet, place your chips directly in front of you. The dealer will make sure that you have the right number and sweep them into the pot.

Showing Cards and Mucking Hands
A person who makes the final bet and is called must show his cards first. The losers do not have to show, and can "muck" their cards. It is inappropriate to ask to see the losing cards. If everybody checks on the final round, then everybody should show their cards at once, at the same time. Some people may delay showing their cards in a rude attempt to induce another player to show their hand first in impatience, and then muck their own hand if it is not a winner. Don't do this yourself. Show your hand immediately if you get called. If you have called a bet, wait for the bettor to show, then show your own hand if it's better.

Most cardrooms give every player at the table the right to see all cards that called to a showdown, even if they are mucked as losers. (This helps prevent cheating by team-play.) If you are extremely curious about a certain hand, ask the dealer to show it to you. It is considered impolite to constantly ask to see losing cards. It is even more impolite if you hold the winning cards, and in most cardrooms you will forfeit the pot if the "losing" cards turn out to be better than yours.

As a beginner, you may want to show your hand all the time, since you may have overlooked a winning hand. What you gain from one such pot will far outweigh any loss due to revealing how you played a particular losing hand. "Cards speak" at the showdown, meaning that you need not declare the value of your hand. The dealer will look at your cards and decide if you have a winner.

Raking in the Pot
If you win the pot, don't lunge to scoop up the precious chips with both arms. Let the dealer push it to you, ok?

Touching Cards or Chips
Don't. Only touch your own cards and chips. Other players' chips and cards, discards, board cards, the pot and everything else are off-limits. Only the dealer touches the cards and pot.

Correcting Mistakes
Occasionally the dealer or a player may make a mistake, such as miscalling the winning hand at the showdown. If you are the victim of such a mistake, call it out immediately and do not let the game proceed. If your opponent is the victim, let your conscience be your guide; many see no ethical dilemma in remaining silent. If you are not involved in the pot, you must judge the texture of the game to determine whether to speak up. In general, the higher the stakes, the more likely you should keep your mouth shut.

Not a Team Sport
Poker is not a team sport. Do not take any actions or comments that suggest you are "siding" with another player.

Silence is Golden
Poker is a social activity, and by all means have fun. However, you should be careful with your comments so that you don't upset other players, interfere, or influence the game. Don't ruminate about the possibilities, regardless whether or not you're still in the hand -- "Oh, a third diamond just turned up! I wonder if anyone has a flush..." -- . Sit quietly and let the hand end before you offer any commentary, no matter how brilliant you believe it to be.

Pay Attention
This rule is self-explanatory: Few things are more aggravating than a player who says, "Whose turn is it?" when it's been their turn for several minutes.