R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I maintain that I play AHL Poker for a variety of reasons including being able to play with friends, socialize, have fun, and from time to time win a little money. The side benefit I get from playing AHL Poker is that it helps me work on my "Tilt Game". Or being immune to Tilting. I still think that is a valuable by-product of playing. But I think it's about time to shine a light on some problems.

While it is a stretch to call poker a sport, it is certainly, by any measure a competition. One of the key components to any competition is the sportsmanship of the competitors. Embedded in the concept of sportsmanship is respect for the game being played, and respect for the participants.

Whether or not it's written into the rules or not (and most of these are)it comes down to valuing each of the players time, and respecting their desire to compete in a fair game.

So to make my point and share my thoughts on the topic, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, this is what it means to me...

It means not muck diving.

It means not rabbit hunting.

It means paying attention to the hand, so that you don't have to be reminded to post your blinds, or that the action is on you.

It means shuffling a few times and dealing the cards. The fact that the cards are in your hands is not a good reason to shuffle the cards 27 times, and go off on a monologue.

It means not hiding your chips.

It means not covering your cards.

It means playing in turn.

It means not splashing the pot.

It means letting the dealer run the table while they are dealing.

It means asking for help if you don't know how to handle a side pot.

It means you move to the correct seat when you are moved to a new table.

It means acting like adults.

and it means treating others the way you want to be treated.

Diatribe over.