Poker is fun, poker is exciting, poker is challenging, and with the advent of the television broadcasts of the World Poker Tour tournaments and other live poker events a few years back, poker has gained millions of new fans, and players. The poker beginners are popping up everywhere, from the online poker rooms to the smoke-filled poker halls at the casinos in Las Vegas.

Here are some Poker Beginner’s Rules, whether playing online or offline:

Know the good starting hands - each kind of poker game, from Omaha hi to seven card stud to five card draw has first draw hands that are considered “good starting hands”. Knowing a good starting hand from a bad one is the first step toward winning the round.

Understand the betting limits - your bankroll will determine the game you can afford to join. If your bankroll is $100, you’re better suited to joining a $1-3 game, not a $5-10 or more game. It’s simple - don’t make a fool of yourself and annoy others; stick to the table that you can afford.

Don’t lose patience - poker is a patient man’s game. No patience will likely mean no winnings for you. If you lose a few rounds, don’t lose patience, don’t get upset and don’t lose focus. Getting emotional about a game is a common problem among poker newbies.

Play your game - if there’s an audience, don’t showboat. Stick to your game, play smart and play safe. Don’t copy another Player’s move simply as a bluff or no good reason. Play your game.

Take a break - if you stay at the game for many unbroken hours, you’re likely to lose some sharpness and concentration. If you’re playing online, take a break from staring at the computer screen. If you’re in a casino, go have a snack, take a walk around the room, have a look at some other poker games in progress.

Watch the alcohol - on television, liquor and poker often go hand in hand. Liquor has also made many poker players brave but not smart. In most instances, professional poker players do not drink alcohol while playing. There’s a reason for this - alcohol dulls everything that should be sharp when playing poker, especially the mind. Playing poker and drinking is a sure way to speed your exit from the table with a lot less money than you started with.

Whether playing in Vegas at a top notch casino or at home with your poker buddies, there are dos and don’ts when playing poker; basic poker etiquette:

Poker Don’ts:

• DON’T play out of turn - whether you’re anxious to raise or can’t wait to fold your hand, don’t jump the gun. Not only is it annoying, it also gives the other players information that they shouldn’t have before making their own plays.
• DON’T take forever to play - yes, there are times when you may be faced with a decision that requires some significant thought, but definitely not every time. If you consistently take a long time to make your decisions, it makes the game less enjoyable for others.
• DON’T splash your chips into the pot - it may look good n T.V., but in reality it makes it hard to tell how much you’ve bet.
• DON’T be impolite - even if you’re having a bad losing streak or a frustrating time, swearing at the other players or being critical of their play or being otherwise impolite is a big no no. People tend to have long memories about obnoxious conduct, and verbal battles only help to distract from what should be your main focus … your poker strategy.
• DON’T give running commentary - whether you’re in the hand yourself, or just watching from the sidelines, no one, especially the other players, want to hear chatter about what could’ve, would’ve, should’ve happened!
• DON’T be a whiner or a cry baby. Nuff’ said!

Poker Dos:

• DO treat others as you would like to be treated at the poker table.
• DO pay attention. No one should have to remind you that it’s your turn because you were busy chatting on the cellphone or otherwise distracted.
• DO keep quiet during the hand. Let the hand end before you offer any commentary whatsoever.
• DO observe the DON’Ts above!