Table Etiquette

Poker is more fun when everyone follows a few simple rules. This page shows how to act at the table, what to say, how to handle chips and cards, and how to avoid common problems. Easy, friendly, and clear.

Quick rules (read these first)

  • Act in turn and keep the game moving.
  • Keep your cards on the table and protect them.
  • Keep your chips visible and stacked clearly.
  • Say your action clearly: “check”, “bet”, “call”, “raise”, or “fold”.
  • Do not talk about a live hand if you are not in it.
  • Be polite—win or lose. No insults, no slow-rolling.

Acting in turn

  • Wait for your turn. Do not act early. It gives unfair info and can change actions.
  • If you are unsure, ask: “Is it on me?” The dealer will guide you.
  • If someone acts out of turn, the dealer will fix it. Stay calm and let them handle it.
  • Keep the pace. Decide in a reasonable time. Long tanks slow the whole table.

Handling chips and cards

Protect your hand

  • Keep cards face down on the felt. Use a small card protector if you like.
  • Do not lift cards high in the air. Other players could see them.
  • Keep drinks and phones away from your cards.

Chip manners

  • Do not splash the pot. Put bets in one neat stack in front of you.
  • Keep big chips where others can see them. No hiding stacks behind small chips.
  • Move betting chips forward in a single motion (see “Clear betting” below).

Buying in & cash on table

  • Change cash for chips before the hand starts. Ask the dealer for help.
  • Keep cash off the table unless converting to chips (house rules vary).
  • Tell the table if you add chips (“topping up”) between hands.

Table talk: what’s okay, what’s not

  • Do not reveal cards or live hand info. Never say, “I folded a queen,” during the hand.
  • No coaching during a hand. Advice can wait until the hand is over.
  • Keep it friendly. Jokes are fine; insults are not.
  • Be quiet when a big decision is happening. Let the player think.

Clear betting (no confusion)

Say it or push it (one motion)

  • Verbal actions are binding—if you say “raise to 20k,” that’s your bet.
  • Avoid “string bets.” Put your chips out in one motion or declare the full amount first.
  • If you toss one chip without speaking, many rooms count it as a call (not a raise).

Keep it tidy

  • Bet in clean stacks so the dealer and players can count them.
  • Do not reach into another player’s stack. Ask the dealer to count if needed.
  • If you mis-bet, let the dealer fix it. No arguments—house rules apply.

Showdown & winning the pot

  • Aggressor shows first (the last player to bet/raise on the final street). If nobody bet the river, show in table order from left of the button.
  • Turn your cards face up so the dealer and table can read the hand.
  • Do not slow roll (waiting a long time to show the winning hand). It is rude.
  • If there is an all-in, leave all hands face up until the dealer awards the pot.
  • Side pots can happen. The dealer will push each pot to the correct winner—please let them work.

Need a refresher on hand order? See Hand Ranks (Best → Worst).

Tournaments vs cash: small differences

Tournaments

  • Arrive on time. Blinds go up; the game won’t wait.
  • Follow seat draws and table moves quickly.
  • Protect your short stack—act clearly, no splashing all-in chips.

Cash games

  • You can sit in/leave between hands. Tell the dealer when you stand up.
  • Keep your chip stack visible. No hiding “back chips.”
  • Local custom may include dealer tips when you win pots—ask about house rules.

Phones, food & hygiene

  • Keep phones on silent. Take calls away from the table between hands.
  • Don’t stall the action with texting when it’s on you.
  • Keep food and drinks tidy—wipe spills fast and keep the felt clean.
  • Respect personal space. No leaning over others’ cards.

If a problem happens

  • Stay calm. Let the dealer manage the table.
  • If needed, ask for the floor (a supervisor). Their decision is final.
  • Do not touch the pot or other players’ cards/stacks.
  • Be honest and clear about what happened. Most issues are easy to fix.

Common mistakes (avoid these)

  • Talking about folded cards or live hands during play.
  • Acting out of turn or taking very long on simple decisions.
  • String betting (multiple motions) or throwing chips without speaking.
  • Hiding big chips behind small ones; making messy piles.
  • Slow rolling at showdown.
  • Splashing the pot or reaching into other stacks.

Mini glossary

String bet
Putting chips in with more than one motion (or adding chips after seeing a reaction) without first declaring the full raise. Usually not allowed.
Slow roll
Taking a long time to show a winning hand at showdown. Considered rude.
Angle shooting
Using tricks to confuse or trap opponents outside the spirit of the game. Not illegal rules-wise, but poor etiquette and often penalized.
Verbal is binding
If you clearly say “call” or “raise to…”, that action stands even before chips move.
No splash
Don’t throw chips directly into the pot. Place them neatly in front of you.

Play safe (Uganda)

Poker should be fun, not stressful. Set a money limit and a time limit before you play. Take breaks.

Legal age: In Uganda, casinos and most betting are 25+. The national lottery may be 18+. Rules can change—see Uganda & the Law.

Table Etiquette — FAQ

Can I talk during a hand?

Light chat is fine, but do not reveal live hand info, give advice, or discuss folded cards during play.

What if someone acts out of turn?

Say “action is here” and let the dealer correct it. Don’t argue—house rules decide how to fix it.

Is a single big chip a call or a raise?

In many rooms, a single chip without a clear verbal raise counts as a call. Say your amount first to avoid confusion.

Who shows first at showdown?

The last aggressor on the final street shows first. If nobody bet on the river, show in order from left of the button.

Can I use my phone?

Keep it on silent. Don’t slow the action. Take calls away from the table between hands.

Beginner Guide

Start safe and learn fast.

Texas Hold’em Rules

From blinds to showdown.

Hand Ranks

Best → worst with tie-breaks.

Information only. We do not run games or accept bets.