Shuffle up and deal!

I entered one of those "bar poker" Texas Hold'Em tournaments last night (finished 3rd...not bad). It was a blast even though there was no real money involved since gambling is illegal in my state. It's amazing how popular Texas Hold'Em has become. It seems to have replaced trivia and karaoke as the popular bar entertainment around here. The problem is that too many people at these tournaments think they are poker pros and the egos are hard to deal with. With that in mind, I offer these tips for poker etiquette:

1. If you want to have a beer or two, go ahead, but don't get sloppy. It's a pain to play with someone who spills drinks on the table and plays out of turn, and it slows down the game.
2. A little good-natured ribbing is ok, but for the most part check the ego at the door. You may think you're the next Chris Moneymaker, but guess what...you aren't.
3. Cut to the right, deal to the left.
4. Don't make fun of the rookies. Help them become better players. It will provide more competition for you in the future.
5. If you are a rookie, don't get into a game that is more serious than you can handle.
6. When betting, don't make change from bet stacks that haven't yet been pushed into the pot. It makes it difficult to determine whether all bets are proper and play can proceed.
7. Don't show or talk about your cards until after the hand is over. Just because you didn't need that 3, someone still in the hand may be hoping for it on the river, and you don't want to give them unfair info.
8. Don't continue to discuss incessantly the last hand once the new hand is dealt. It slows down play. And it makes you look amateurish.
9. Keep the cards above the table when dealing, cutting, or playing your hand.
10. Don't get mad when you lose. Somebody's got to. Better you than me.