Rules of VIPM

Please carefully review the following rules, policies, and disclaimers.

Poker etiquette is not rules, but manners that relate to the orderly maintenance of the game and civility among those who participate in the game. A player who repeatedly violates poker etiquette, conduct code or inappropriate behavior violating any league rule repeatedly may be penalized by the tournament host. Penalties will range from verbal warnings to punished by eviction from the tournament and possibly the league and property.

VIPM - Poker Etiquette

The following actions are improper, and grounds for warning, suspending, or barring a violator:

  • Deliberately acting out of turn.
  • Deliberately splashing chips into the pot.
  • Agreeing to check a hand out when a third player is all-in.
  • Reading a hand for another player at the showdown before it has been placed faceup on the table.
  • Telling anyone to turn a hand faceup at the showdown.
  • Revealing the contents of a live hand in a multihanded pot before the betting is complete.
  • Needlessly stalling the action of a game.
  • Deliberately discarding hands away from the muck. Cards should be released in a low line of flight, at a moderate rate of speed (not at the dealer's hands or chip-rack).
  • Stacking chips in a manner that interferes with dealing or viewing cards.
  • Making statements or taking action that could unfairly influence the course of play, whether or not the offender is involved in the pot.
  • Using a cell phone at the table.

    • VIPM - Conduct Code

    Management will attempt to maintain a pleasant environment for all our customers and employees, but is not responsible for the conduct of any player. We have established a code of conduct, and may deny membership to anyone who violates it. The following is not permitted:

  • Collusion with another player or any other form of cheating.
  • Verbally or physically threatening any patron or employee.
  • Using profanity or obscene language.
  • Creating a disturbance by arguing, shouting, or making excessive noise.
  • Throwing, tearing, bending, or crumpling cards.
  • Destroying or defacing property.
  • Using an illegal substance.
  • Carrying a weapon.

    • Cordiality

  • Be polite.
  • Do not swear or be verbally abusive.
  • Be modest when you win.
  • Refrain from criticizing another player's play.
  • Limit unnecessary chatter to avoid disturbing active players.
  • Do not hit on another player, or the dealer, no matter how attractive you find them.
  • Be kind to the dealer. Good karma brings good cards.

    • Table Presence

  • Manage your table space reasonably.
  • Keep your chips and/or money on the table.
  • Do not handle another player's chips or cards.
  • Do not stack chips in a way that interferes with the deal, the viewing of cards, or another player.
  • Chips and/or money on the table are not to be transferred from one player to another.
  • Protect your cards so that no one else can see them.
  • Keep your cards on the table. Holding cards against your shirt or putting them in your pocket or lap is not allowed.
  • It is proper for an opponent to complain when a player consistently has the opportunity to see another player's holecards. It is improper to complain when someone exercises this right.
  • If you step away from the table, please advise the dealer of your intentions.

    • Play

  • Play at a reasonable speed.
  • It is each player's responsibility to follow the flow of the game. Play in turn. Do not act out of turn.
  • At no time should any player or spectator make statements that could unfairly influence the play of a hand.
  • Do not comment about the cards you just threw away.
  • Refrain from making comments about possible hands. "The board just paired. Someone could have a full house now!".

    • Betting

  • Do not splash the pot.
  • Do not string bet.
  • Verbally announce your action, particularly in games with non-professional dealers.
  • Chips and discards should be placed as far forward as reasonably possible to make it easier for the dealer to handle them.
  • When discarding your hand, do so towards the dealer at a low level of flight so that no other player can see what you have discarded.
  • Do not expose any cards until the showdown.

    • The Showdown

  • Do not mis-declare your hand.
  • Show your winning hand quickly. Do not "slow-roll" (allow your opponent to think he's won when you know he hasn't).
  • Rabbit hunting (asking to see what cards would have appeared, had you bet) should not be allowed.

    • Integrity

  • Every player must play in their own self interest. Do not "soft play" any other player(s).
  • Agreeing to "check-down" a hand after a player has gone All-in is not allowed.
  • Coffee-housing (speaking during a hand for strategic purposes) is allowed in North America but please exercise restraint.
  • Asking to see called hands unnecessarily is bad manners, a waste of time, and is generally bad for the game.

    • We at VIPM's poker site also reserve the right to reveal your identity (or whatever information we know about you) in the event of a complaint or legal action arising from any message posted by you. We log all internet protocol addresses accessing this web site.

    Please note that advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations are inappropriate on this poker site.

    We reserve the right to terminate any membership for any reason or no reason at all.