Learn how a poker table is set up, the player positions and more

You might wander, what’s to understand?  It’s a table you sit at it and play poker.  That kind of thinking would be a dead giveaway you’re a novice, definitely not something that you want other players to know. 

Even if you’ve been playing for a while its likely you might not firmly grasp all the aspects that go into what is going on at a poker table.  There’s even etiquette that should be followed. You need to understand the table, which starts dictating play before a single card’s been dealt.

The Poker Table Itself

The table will usually be circular or oval shaped with a felt top, if you are playing at home you can use any table.  The amount of players that can play at the table varies depending on the game that’s being played and of course the size of the table.  You can play ring games which just include one table, or you can play tournaments that have multiple tables.  In a tournament, each table will have a single winner who will then move on to another table with winners from the other prior tables.

The Dealer

The dealer’s position is the most important one at the table.  That’s because where they’re sitting is going to determine the position everyone else is in. 

When there’s a set dealer for a game there has to be a way to change positions so that it’s fair to all the players.  That’s where the dealer button comes into play.  The dealer button doesn’t have to be a button so to speak but is usually a disc that indicates which player is in the dealer position.  It is rotated around the table clockwise one position for each game, just as the cards are dealt.  A common term for being in this position is “on the button”.  The button is also called the buck.

Then playing with blinds there are some rules with how the dealer button is moved.  For one in head’s up play, that is when only two players enter a game, the dealer is the small blind and the other player is the big blind.  Also when players get eliminated from play it can mess with the dealer button position if the small blinds go out.  In that instance when the player who was getting the small blind next goes out all you do is simply skip the small blind. 

That means there would only be a dealer and a big blind.  Typically the dead button rule is used if the player getting the button next is eliminated.  In a dead button situation you move the button one place to the left where the empty seat is as you would if someone were there, and on the next round everything will be as it should be.

The Player Positions

There are many positions in the game of poker and they vary depending on whether or not blinds are being used.  Since you can just disregard the blind positions if you’re not playing with them the seating order here includes them.  Of course the position also varies depending on the number of players in the game.

Dealer:  This is the most desirable position at the table since they are dealt cards last and are last to act in the betting round, giving them the advantage of already seeing how everyone else acts in the first round.

Small Blind:  This is the position just to the left of the dealer button.  The small blind must put in a minimum amount to the pot before the cards are dealt.  This is done because community card games like Texas Hold’Em typically don’t have antes.  The betting goes round the whole table and then comes back to the small blind.  At that point they must put in the remaining amount that was put in by the small blind or meet the raise if there was one in order to keep playing the hand.

Big Blind:  This is the position to the left of the small blind.  The same rules for the small blind apply to this position except the big blind must put in a bigger bet usually twice that of the small blind.  Also when betting finally comes back to the big blind they must meet the raise if there was one to stay in the game.

Early:  If blinds aren’t applicable the early position will be directly after the dealer.  Even when there aren’t blinds this is the least desirable of all positions because they to have to be the one to bet first.  This position is said to be under the gun.  Unlike the blinds there can be more than one player in the early position depending on how many people are at the table and this includes the small and big blinds if there are any. 

Middle:  This position again can be single or multiple players depending on the number at the table.  The middle is the seat(s) to the left of the early position but before the late position.  This position is aptly named as you see how some players bet but not others. 

Late:  This is where you want to be in a poker game.  Again there can be more than one player in this position and it includes the dealer who has the best of the late seats.  These players to the left of the middle position have the advantage of seeing what other bet and can read into it before making their own decision. 

Poker Table Etiquette

There is most certainly etiquette guidelines to playing at a table, though some grossly overlook them.  If you don’t want to be shunned at the tables you must learn to play with at least minimum manners.  The first rule of thumb is don’t splash the pot.  Contrary to what you see in the movies coolly tossing your chips into the pot is definitely not acceptable.

Not only does this make a mess of chips on the table that someone is going to have to straighten out after they win, but it can also be seen as a method of shortchanging the pot.  When you throw a wad of chips in instead of putting them in a neat stack its difficult for the dealer to be certain of how much you’re really putting in.  The last thing you want anyone to think is that you’re cheating.

One of the biggest etiquette guidelines is being civil in the way you speak to other players. It doesn’t matter if you’re having a bad run, there’s no excuse for using profane language (unless the whole table is throwing around swear words) harassing, verbally abusing, heckling, pressuring or making other players feel uncomfortable in general. 

This includes using a language other than what the majority of the players at the table speak.  This can quickly get you tossed out of a game.  Equally so if you are talking or chatting with a friend who’s at a table you aren’t a part of you need to keep the talk to a minimum so as not to distract the other players and in no way are you to coach another player while a game is going on.

It’s understandable that someone may need a minute to make a decision when betting turns to them.  It’s a game that requires thinking.  However, taking an excessively long time slows the game and makes other players disgruntled.  There’s no set rule or amount of time but getting upwards of five minutes is really pushing it.  For those playing at multiple tables it’s suggested to use the pre-select boxes if you can. 

It’s not acceptable in poker to comment on the cards that are being dealt.  Even if you have folded your hand, mentioning cards you had or doing anything to express emotion after seeing community cards dealt because that could throw the game off for those still involved.  It’s very understandable seeing as if you throw your hands up in disappointment after seeing an Ace on the Turn that others will get the impression you had an Ace.  It’s best just to stay neutral to the game as you would if you were still in it.

It’s also in poor taste to comment on another player personally.  Never make negative comments about the appearance of other players.  This is just a basic guideline to everyday etiquette. 

Lastly, try not to leave the game while playing is going on even if it’s between hands.  Other players will become very uneasy with someone going off and coming repeatedly.  No one will know if you’re getting coaching or cheating in a number of other ways.  It also slows the game down which we already know isn’t considerate to everyone else.