Make Your Poker Playing More Enjoyable And Profitable WIth These Tips

More and more people are now getting into poker. Why not? It's a very enjoyable hobby and some organizations are heavily promoting it up as a sport. This can be a lucrative career if you ask me so I think it's good to consider getting into poker. Well, if you ever decide to actually get into poker, here are some tips to make playing it a very enjoyable and potentially profitable ride for you:

Firstly, as a beginner, you should always verbalize your action. Whether you "Check", "Call"or  "Raise"! Unless you are proficient at counting out your chips behind any betting line and placing them into the betting area in one motion, better to say what you mean to do, before you push your chips in. "RAISE TO $25." "All IN!" Just say it, and to the dealer!

Secondly, remember to always protect your hand. This is the best piece of advice any poker professional can give you. You won't be needing an air tight grip on your cards but you will need a protector at the least. A chip works fine, a coin smaller than the size of the card works just as fine. And you also need to be aware of where your cards are at all times. Keeping a hand on them is fine, but you must not obscure them completely from the dealer's view. If you are at showdown with one or more players, you don't have to expose your cards until the dealer asks you to. If he says show them, then show them but keep your hands in front of you and on the cards until the pot is pushed to you or the dealer mucks your hand. You can muck your hand any time, but you should do this by gently pushing them to the dealer, and he will do the rest.

The next tip is to NOT discuss the hand in play AT ALL. If you are heads up, some people just can't help it so there can be some trash talk, but that's about it. And you must not show your cards to your neighbor, even when you are folding.

And If you get up to leave, you don't have to tell the dealer why, unless it is for an extended period. Although, you should know that if you miss a blind, you will have to pay it. Plus, be mindful of a couple or more players leaving a table for 10 to 15 minutes. It sort of hurts the game. If you are going to take longer than that, you might want to rack up and just get back in later. It is usually easy to do.

This next one is about tipping. Just remember it is completely discretionary, yet a sensitive subject. Depending on where you play, like in Las Vegas, dealers, brushes, and chip runners all live on a low hourly wage which is supplemented only by tips. If your dealer is running the game efficiently, being personable, and doing a good job, he almost certainly expects a tip. It's his livelihood after all. A dollar for a win is acceptable. Just scooping the blinds does not require a tip. Larger pot sizes offer you a chance to show your appreciation with a larger tip.

And lastly, whether you Win or lose, do so graciously. You must not throw your cards, jump up and down or say anything offensive to your opponent. Foul or abusive language is not tolerated.