Although poker has a set of specific rules, they don’t (and can’t) cover every possible situation that may happen at the tables.

As a result, there’s a fairly large grey zone where the rules aren’t quite clear enough, opening up space for a practice known as “angle shooting” where people bend the rules for their advantage.

In this article, we’ll cover what angle shooting means in poker, some of the more common angle shoots, and how to protect yourself at the tables.

What Is Angle Shooting?

Angle shooting in poker is when someone does things that are questionable or unethical – but not strictly against the rules – to try and get an edge over another player.

While the practice is generally frowned upon by the community, there are plenty of players who’ll take their chances walking the fine edge between what is and isn’t allowed.

Why Is Angle Shooting Bad?

As mentioned, there is a fair number of players who don’t see anything wrong with angle shooting.

Their reasoning is that if they aren’t breaking the rules, it’s no big deal.

The problem with this line of thinking is that poker is a game of people.

Just because something isn’t technically breaking the rules, it doesn’t mean it’s acceptable.

In every specific life setting, there is usually a set of unwritten rules that you are expected to follow. The same goes for poker etiquette.

And poor poker etiquette for the sake of gaining a small, short-term edge won’t win you any popularity points.

Angle shooters usually aren’t looked upon kindly, and other players will try to avoid them as much as possible.

In fact, it can even prevent you from getting into some of the best games if you get a reputation for it.

This is because angle shooting can create a toxic environment where recreational players, who are crucial for the games to run, refuse to sit down and would rather spend their time and money doing something else.

It negatively impacts everyone, including persistent angle shooters, who have no one to blame but themselves.

5 Common Angle Shoots To Look Out For

Although most of the poker community play by the rules, there will always be some players who try to cut corners and take advantage of unsuspecting victims.

So be prepared by getting to know some of the most common angle shoots in poker.

1. Going South

“Going south” is when someone secretly removes chips from the table during a live cash game.

👉 57 Poker Terms And Slang Phrases You Need To Know

For example, a player wins a big $2,000 pot playing $1/$2, and they decide they don’t want to risk it all in later hands.

So, they remove a few hundred from the table when no one is looking.

In most poker rooms, this isn’t allowed, but penalties for going south are usually quite mild.

Another problem is that it’s hard to prove if you don’t notice it immediately.

This is one of the most common angle shoots you’ll encounter when playing live cash games as there are players out there who do it routinely.

The reason why this practice is frowned upon is that all chips that are at the table should be in play at all times, unless a player decides to get up and leave.

Sadly, calling someone out for going south can cause a lot of tension at the table and lead to some unpleasant situations.

That’s why many players decide to let it go and allow others to get away with it to keep the game going and avoid any drama.

2. Intentionally Hiding Big Denomination Chips

Another fairly common practice both in tournaments and cash games involves hiding big denomination chips behind the lower-value stacks.

By doing this, the angle shooter fools their opponents into believing they have fewer chips than they actually have, which can significantly impact someone’s strategy.

For example, you find yourself in a hand against someone you believe only has 15 big blinds.

You flop a top pair with a decent kicker, and when they bet into you, you decide to put them all in.

It’s only after they make the call that you see with horror the full stack of big chips sliding from behind.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do at this point.

While the other player was supposed to keep their big denomination chips in the clear view, the usual punishment for this is a slap on the wrist for them (maybe a few hands away from the table in a tournament and pretty much nothing in a cash game).

It’s one of the reasons you’ll hear experienced players often ask someone how much they have left.

It may be annoying at times, but it helps avoid these things from happening.

When something like this happens to you in a big tournament, and ends up being the reason you bust, it really feels bad.

So, be sure to protect yourself, especially against players you know have done this in the past.

3. Pump Fake

In poker, information is gold, and obtaining the relevant information during a hand isn’t always easy.

So, some players will go to extra lengths to try and gauge a reaction from their opponent – including bending the rules.

The pump fake is one of the most common moves
from this category.

This is when the angle shooter will pick up a stack of chips and move them forward while holding them in their hand, seemingly announcing a bet or a raise.

However, at the last moment, they’ll pull the stack back and put it down with the rest of their chips.

This move is treated differently at different
venues.

At some places, you can’t get away with this kind of behavior, as any forward motion with your chips will be binding.

However, some casinos and poker rooms aren’t as strict and won’t force the player to stick to their action.

The main goal of this move is to try and gauge a reaction.

Lesser experienced players may even go ahead and fold their hands immediately when they see the big stack of chips in the opponent’s hand, which gives the angle shooter a massive advantage.

If they don’t get the desired result with their
pump fake, they’ll take the bet back and reconsider.

Most casinos won’t let someone get away with this repeatedly.

So if you find yourself at a table where someone is doing this over and over again, make sure to complain to the floor.

Even if there isn’t a specific rule to address
the issue, they’ll usually talk to the player and warn them that if they do it again,
their action will stand.

4. Mis-Declaring A Hand At A Showdown

Once all the bets are in and there is no action
left, it’s time for cards to speak.

However, some players like to do the actual speaking
before letting their cards do it, and they do it to get you to muck your hand.

Say your opponent bets, you call, and they announce a “full house.”

Even before they turn their hand, you throw your cards into the muck, only to see them turn over Ace-high.

You’re in shock that someone would lie so blatantly at a poker table, but this isn’t all that uncommon.

If you call the floor, they can always say they were just joking.

Again, they might get a notice, while you may be out of a huge pot and a lot of money.

If a player was honestly just messing about, they might let you retrieve your hand or just straight up give you the pot. But don’t count on it.

Even if such behavior is bad, it’s your responsibility to protect yourself against it as much as humanly possible.

To protect yourself from this particular type of “cheating,” you should never release your hand until all cards are face up.

If you’re first to show, table your hand unless you’re certain you can’t win.

Don’t believe what anyone tells you, unless it’s someone you’ve known for years and you can be certain they’d never pull such trick on you.

Someone repeatedly miss-declaring their hand at a showdown will probably run into problems, but they don’t need to do it all the time.

If they pull it off in one big pot, it’s already given them a huge advantage.

It’s up to you to take matters into your own
hands here; don’t count on anyone else to protect you.

5. Acting Out of Turn

This is another move aimed at getting extra
information.

For example, a player may bet, and while you’re
pondering what to do, you hear an angle shooter announce a call or a raise.

This sneaky trick is designed to confuse you into making a wrong decision.

Of all angle shoots out there, this is the least elaborate and least effective one.

It only works if they succeed in their intentions of confusing you.

Otherwise, they’ve just given you an extra piece of information you can work with.

For example, in most poker rooms verbal actions are binding, even if they act out of turn and the action before them doesn’t change.

So if one player bets and you hear someone declaring a raise behind you while you’re sitting there with a strong hand, you can just make a call.

Now, the player who acted out of turn will be
forced to raise, and when the action gets back to you, you can spring your
trap.

What I will say is that you shouldn’t feel bad about the poor guy acting out of turn when you’re sitting there with a monster.

Often, they’re doing it deliberately, not by accident, so let them have a taste of their own medicine.

Being a nice guy at the table is completely
fine, but don’t let others take advantage of you.

Keep Yourself Safe From Poker Angle Shooters

There will always be some degree of angle shooting involved in poker.

With a game that revolves around outsmarting your opponents, this is pretty much inevitable.

Some behaviors are acceptable and tolerated,
while others, like the ones described in this article, should be avoided at all
costs.

If you spend a fair bit of time playing poker,
especially in the live setting, you’re bound to run into all sorts of situations.

Hopefully, with this guide, you’ll be better prepared to handle them and avoid being taken advantage of at the tables.

Every sense tingling 

Build it and they will come. Hype it and they will develop a FOMO so pronounced that they board planes from the other side of the world. Deliver it and they will arrive to the Wynn as innocent as children, holes burnt into their pockets, every sense tingling.

The players will pass over the money without even thinking about it, for it is money they have and a piece of the action that they lack. They will walk over to their tables, optimistic, excited, bursting with a sense that anything is possible. They will sit indoors, some suited and booted, others in their track-suit bottoms and hoodies, all content to riffle chips in the desert. 

poker players are nothing if not masochists

There will be case cards caught, coolers and clocks called. There will be buttons bought, bubbles and bounties binked. And, of course, there will be bad beats. WTF, FML, UL, and GG as the hopes of some will inevitably be dashed. And they will leave, bemoaning their ill fortune, wondering how it’s possible that the fish and donkeys ran so good. And they will return the next night, for poker players are nothing if not masochists. 

Dream big

The World Poker Tour dreamt big. The WPT World Championship would be no humble poker festival, but instead something daring, something breathtaking, something befitting its 20-year anniversary. When the event was first announced in the summer, it was not without trepidation that the organizers set about their mammoth task. 

there is no substitute for hard work

A fear of failure can paralyze, but it can also spur. A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and sacrifice. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning and there is no substitute for hard work.

As such, the preparation was initially accompanied not with an obvious visible enthusiasm, but rather a hidden one, an excitement burning with a cold flame. Eventually, however, that excitement revealed itself, warming, then sizzling, before eventually shooting off in all directions, like the colored arrows from a Fourth of July rocket.

Hit different

December arrived and it was clear that a lot of thought had gone into making the WPT World Championship hit different. Tournaments aplenty in week one, but also a star-studded meet-up game that allowed low-stakes cash game players to rub shoulders with the titans of the game. The live-streamed “Rail-Heaven” nose-bleed game was a mix of old and new, evoking memories of poker’s past, but with modern polish. 

Then came the first sign that the numbers could be huge as the $1,100 WPT Prime shattered expectations, 5,430 entries and a massive prize pool of $5,267,100. That tournament played down to the final six players with the talented 2021 WSOP Ladies Event champion Lara Eisenberg leading the way when play resumes on December 19. The eventual winner will take home over $700,000.

All the talk was not of the prize pool hitting $25m, but by how much?

The only true measure, however, would be the big one. A record $15m was promised, but there was a growing hope, nay an expectation, of a greater sum. And so it came to pass with that guarantee being hit before the second break of Day 1B. All the talk was not of the prize pool hitting $25m, but by how much? 

In the depth of winter, an invincible summer

With the Wynn Las Vegas, the WPT has found the perfect bedfellow to pull this off. In the depth of winter, they have learned that within their collaboration lies an invincible summer, a genuine rival to the WSOP. They envisioned a record-breaker, but they delivered a groundbreaker. They imagined creating something conspicuous, but they have set a new bar. 

Adam Pliska, Angelica Hael, Ryan Beauregard, Ray Pulford, Charlie Stone, Samuel Carioti, Cathy Zhao, Keta Ozolina, Hilary St. Clair, Anna Cedarburg, Madison Evans, Pinky Mejias, Danny McDonagh, Hermance Blum, Maxime Rouison, Fernanda Salas, Lance Bradley, Eric Lusch, Will Butcher, Jeff Walsh, Tim Fiorvanti, Easton Oreman, Jamie Kerstetter, Xuan Liu, Thomas Keeling, Dan Moar, Amanda Botfeld, Matt Savage, Lynn Gilmartin, Tony Dunst, Joe Ingram, and doubtless countless others, you all should take a bow. The ambassador giveaways and satellite overlays might have told the community that there was value, but it is your diligence and passion that has assured that there was quality. 

The WPT will be dreaming of an even bigger World Championship in 2023, capitalizing on the phenomenal turn out and response to this one. But for now, with the stage set, it is the turn of the players to focus on that coveted Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup and dream big. 

Magic waters 

The ballers. The grinders. The enthusiasts. Some dream about playing against their heroes, others dream of becoming heroes, but all play the game as if dipped in magic waters, dreaming about capturing a slice of that almost $30m. For a few, the memories created will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces.

poker has marked the time

From all around the people have come. They have come because the one constant through all the years has been poker. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a browser history or the value of a bitcoin, rebuilt and then erased again. But poker has marked the time. 

This felt, this game: it’s a part of our past. It reminds us of all of how it was once good and could be again. Congratulations WPT. You built it and people most definitely came. 

The post Felt of Dreams: The WPT Built It and They Came appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

Source link

Casino Poker Etiquette – The Basics

In general, poker etiquette means a set of unofficial rules that players are expected to follow during gameplay and on the poker table. While not following most rules will not get you disqualified or asked to leave the table, it will show a lack of respect and sportsmanship towards your fellow players.

We will also talk about online poker etiquette, but that will come later in our guide as most of these guidelines are for players that physically sit on a poker table in a gambling establishment. Below, we will list the most notable points of casino poker etiquette that you should follow.

On the one hand, most unwritten rules seem easy to understand, but others will require a deeper explanation, especially for new players yet to learn proper poker etiquette. We will next go over each DOs and DON’Ts that will promote sportsmanship and a healthy atmosphere.

Even when you’re playing at the best online poker sites, there are still some guidelines to follow, especially when communicating with other players. Poker is a competitive and stressful game, especially when the wagers increase. Being generally accepted as a respectful and fair player that follows casino poker etiquette shows understanding and sportsmanship.

Showing Respect at the Poker Table

One of the foundations of good casino poker etiquette is to be polite and respectful to other players and keep the atmosphere friendly. You should not comment or react to the way other people are playing. You can affect their psyche or even show them the true level of your skill. Don’t verbally abuse the dealer or serving staff. Swearing or ruining the game in any manner is also not acceptable.

Don’t Disturb Others

This rule can also be considered a part of the way you show respect at the table. It is considered impolite and disrespectful when you disturb other players, especially when a hand is still in play. You should keep the tone of your voice at a lower level, and you should not talk too much as others are thinking and keeping their head in the game.

Don’t Waste Time and Act Swiftly

Proper poker table etiquette dictates that you should not be disturbed while thinking during your turn. On the other hand, you should not be wasting the time of other players and try to act swiftly. Try to focus and play your hand without paying attention to other things or talking to the staff. In some cases, especially during tournaments, players can “call the clock”, which will put a time limit to your turn. Some poker tournaments even have a fixed time for each turn.

Focus and Pay Attention

This is an important part of poker etiquette because when all the players are focused and don’t waste any time, it promotes good game flow and speed of play. While it is quite common nowadays for players to have their headphones on and listen to music, you should still ensure that you are not distracted from the game. There is a wide range of poker tells that you should look out for to improve your gameplay.

Avoid Unnecessary Arguments

Understandably, the game can get tense, especially when the stakes are high but you should refrain from starting any arguments with other players. If you also value good poker table etiquette and have a discrepancy with another player, advise the dealer (staff) or contact the support team if you’re playing online. If you’re to accuse another player of cheating, you must be 100% sure.

Do Not Influence Hands You Are No Longer a Part Of

This rule is important and another one of the foundations of proper poker etiquette. If you fold and are no longer a part of a hand that is still being played, keep comments and actions to yourself. It is frowned upon and frustrating for other players if you do something that will influence a game you are not a part of because you folded.

Do not announce your folded cards, do not show your cards to another player before you fold and keep any reactions to a hand being dealt to yourself. It is also considered bad etiquette to discuss a hand that is still in play.

Angle Shooting – Unethical and Deceptive

Angle shooting is when a player is deceptive and intentionally tries to take advantage of other players. A great example is to be talking to another player about how they should act out their hand while still involved in a multi-way pot. Angle shooting can also be considered when you’re being intentionally unclear about your actions or misrepresent your hand. This is considered very unethical by poker players.

Avoid Doing a “Hit and Run”

Hitting and running refers to a player almost immediately leaving the table after winning a large pot. It is considered disrespectful and improper casino poker etiquette. Of course, something can happen, or you will have a respectful reason to leave. In that case, apologising to your fellow players is considered a courtesy and excuses yourself.

Avoid Being a Sore Loser

No one likes to lose, especially when real money is involved. But also, no one likes a sore loser. Avoid swearing, slamming the table, throwing cards and chips around and showing aggression. While it may be frustrating, you should not complain or criticise the play of others when you lose. You lost for a reason, and it is respectful to appreciate your opponents and lose graciously.

Win with Grace

In some cases, winning can be exhilarating, and you can be overwhelmed with endorphins. While you are allowed to be happy for your winning hand, it is frowned upon when you overdo your celebration. Do not try to rub your win in the noses of other players and add salt to the wound. It is perfectly acceptable and proper poker etiquette to quietly tip the dealer and stack your chips.

Poker Table Etiquette and General Gameplay Guidelines

After going through the 10 basic rules of proper poker etiquette, we would like to go over some more rules you should follow while at the poker table. Maybe the most important thing that you will need to learn is to carry out your actions on the table with clarity.

A great example is the way you view your cards. You should make sure to protect them from other payers’ views. Another example is the way you put chips forward. Whether you’re sure you will be understood or not, you should still clearly announce what your intentions are.

The way you stack your chips in front of you is also something to consider. It is considered proper poker table etiquette that you stack your chips in neat, easily countable piles of 20 without hiding one stack behind the other. This is because many players decide upon their actions based on how many chips the opponent has, and in general, it shows respect towards the other participants.

We would like to note two more general casino poker etiquette tips that are frequently overlooked. The first one is personal hygiene. We will not go in-depth here as it is self-explanatory. The second one is to tip your dealer or serving staff. Tipping the staff after receiving a drink or meal is considered customary. Also, after winning a medium or larger pot, you should also tip the dealer. See what other veteran players are doing if you’re ever confused about how much.

Poker Etiquette Guidelines During Gameplay

After getting the general poker table etiquette points out of the way, we would like to talk more about the unwritten rules applied during gameplay. It will not be enough to act properly on the table; the way you play should also be respectful and inoffensive.

By this time, you might think that poker players are either quite gentlemen or fussy. It may seem that way, but you should consider that large sums are frequently played in this game. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on, so players accept these unwritten rules to ensure a friendly atmosphere.

Let’s start off with the way you place a bet. You should clearly announce your action so that everyone, especially the dealer, knows what you’re doing. When making a bet, whether a raise or a call, you should place your chips forward carefully and avoid what is called “splashing the pot”.

If you just throw your poker chips unannounced and unclearly into the pot, it will be a hassle for the dealer and the players to figure out how much you’re placing forward. This is regarded as highly disrespectful and very frowned upon. You should also know that placing one chip in the pot in many cardrooms means you are making a “call”, no matter the chip’s value.

When you want to make a raise, you should make sure that you put into the pot at least double the size of the previous bet and ensure to specifically call out “raise”. If you announced that you were making a raise and then said that you wanted to call, this would be considered an angle shoot. It is considered unethical by most players.

Showing your cards also affects others’ perceptions of you. If it is your turn to show the cards, do so without wasting any time. This should be done even if you have one of the best hands in poker at the showdown. Taking your time before turning your cards can confuse others that you’re hesitant or not sure of your hand, giving them the idea that they still have a chance to win. It is quite unethical and called a “slow roll”.

Proper poker etiquette also dictates that when you fold, you should keep your cards low to the table and not expose them. You should also push them forward enough so that they are within hands reach of the dealer. Mucked cards stay mucked. Don’t ask other players what their mucked hand is, and certainly don’t turn them over yourself. This is quite disrespectful.

Although it might sound like common sense, you should also make sure that you know the rules of poker. It is amateur and considered disrespectful to sit at a table without knowing what the rules are. Some might debate whether poker is a skill or luck game, but in the end knowledge is essential.

Poker Etiquette in Casino Tournaments

When you’re attending a tournament, except for maintaining a proper casino etiquette, you should also keep a few things in mind. First, you should never verbally agree to check it down. This is the case when a player is all-in in a game with three or more participants, and others decide to check it down and let the hand play out until the showdown without any additional bets.

Tipping your dealer or serving staff during tournaments is considered customary. Do not forget to do it. Some casino establishments include a gratitude fee towards the dealers as part of the entry fee. It is good poker etiquette in casino tournaments that the winner tips the dealers.

General Online Poker Etiquette

You should follow some unwritten online poker etiquette rules, even though you are behind a screen. While most of the guidelines that we covered so far are not applicable in online poker, there are still some rules that you should follow.

If you’re new to the idea of playing poker online and would like to practice it a bit before risking real money, then you can join one of the free online poker sites. There, you can also practice proper poker etiquette, as it is welcomed there even when no real money is involved.

Final Thoughts About Poker Etiquette

As a conclusion to our guide, we would like to mention the most notable points of good poker etiquette. In general, you should avoid wasting the time of others, avoid disturbing or ruining the game, act with clarity and not overly show any emotion that will disrupt the game. Maintaining good poker etiquette in a casino will make you a respected regular player and a wanted addition to any table, even by the best poker players.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will showcase the most popular queries that players have towards maintaining proper casino poker etiquette. If you don’t manage to find what you’re looking for below, you can always contact us with your question, and we will do our best to answer it rapidly.