Zip It

  A lesson that we can learn from Don Imus and the now infamous Reverend Wright is that our mouths can get us into a lot of trouble. What newer poker players don't often realize is that how they control their tongues can determine whether or not they will be welcome at a poker table.  First of all, we have all seen movies where somebody dramatically calls a bet, then after a theatrical pause, they declare that they are raising. At a casino not only will nobody be shocked at your theatrics, but the dealer will not allow your raise. You must declare your bet and raise at the same time. No pregnant pauses are allowed in order to heighten the tension of the moment.  Second, after a hand, let it go. Nobody wants to hear about how you would have won if you just stayed in a little longer. Everyone has experienced that. Trying to tarnish somebody else's win by announcing that the only reason they were successful was because you let them have the pot, just makes you sound petty.  Third, Phil Hellmuth can get away with tantrums: we even expect them from him. The rest of us can't, and no table will put up with that sort of behavior.  Finally, this is poker, not the dating game. Most of us know that if Katja Thater is sitting across from us, this will probably be the only chance we ever have to get the card cougar's phone number. Of course it would be best for everyone involved if you settled for taking her chips (if you can). In other words, keep the cheesy pick-up lines chambered and ready to fire at a cocktail waitress or someone else who is not in the hand.  In short, be respectful at the table, know the rules of how a table works before you get there, and keep your temper in check when you lose and you will be just fine.