Poker Etiquette - the top 5 unwritten rules of the ever-popular game

Poker may have been doing the rounds since the 1820s, but thanks to the Poker boom in the early 2000s, the game has sky-rocketed in popularity. It is believed that 60 million people play the game in the United States, whilst over 100 million are reported to play Poker worldwide. To put this into perspective, Poker attracts more players than some mainstream sports, like golf - which has about 60 million players worldwide.

However, for many novices it can be pretty daunting to take a seat at a Poker table, next to a seasoned veteran - whether it's in a top Las Vegas establishment or in your local casino. You don't want to hold-up the more experienced players to the point where they are going to lose their rag, but at the same time, you don't want to make the wrong decision. You also probably don't want to annoy the dealer or slow them down. If these are the things that you worry about, then panic no more, as we're going to talk you through the essential Poker etiquette that's sure to keep you in everyone's good books.

1. Wait your turn

This is one of the most important things you need do at the Poker table. During any game of Poker, the action rotates clockwise around the table - one player at a time. Making a decision when it's not your turn not only shows a lack of respect to the rest of the table, but can also effect the rest of the round. For example, if you place your bet in front of you before your turn, you could wind up showing the rest of the table that you have good hand, whilst, alternatively, folding early is also unfair on those about to act, as they may have had a better chance at the hand.

2. Don't chuck your chips into the pot

You should never toss your chips into the pot - otherwise known as 'splashing the pot'. Tossing your chips into the pot makes it difficult for the dealer, and the players, to tell how much you have bet or if you have matched the correct amount. Not only is it a massive inconvenience in that respect, but it may also grind the game to halt for a period of time. This is down to the fact that the dealer may have to count the pot to make sure it's the correct amount altogether. The proper conduct when making a bet is to place the chips directly in front you - allowing the dealer to count them before placing them in the pot on your behalf.

3. Don't take lengthy periods of time to make a decision

The majority of starting hands are folded, meaning a lot of the time spent at the Poker table is just watching the game unfold. Therefore, you'd want your opponents to make a timely decision, so you should too! Obviously this doesn't mean that you can't take your time on the more difficult decisions when the stakes get high or when you're called all-in - in these situations you might even want to call 'time, please'. However, if it's an easy decision like folding your starting hand, then you should do it quickly and not ponder.

4. Don't over-celebrate winning a round or a tournament

Obviously you are going to be excited when winning a massive pot or scooping first place in cash-prize tournament - that's absolutely fine and expected. However, taking it too far and pushing your opponent's buttons is disrespectful. Alternatively, be gracious in defeat as well - there's nothing worse than a sore loser!

5. Tip your dealer

Whilst tipping isn't mandatory, it's good etiquette to tip the dealer when you win a pot. There are also no set rules on how much you should tip. However, the amount you tip should depend on how much you won. If you win a small pot you should tip £1 or £2, whilst the tip should increase as the bigger the prize pot. Don't be that guy that doesn't tip!