Casino Card-Handling Etiquette?

[duecesdown]

When I play blackjack at a brick-and-mortar casino, I never touch the cards, only the chips. For online games, you never touch real cards, either. But what about live poker at a casino?
In casino poker, what is considered the proper way to look at your cards? Do they have to stay in some contact with the table? Am I allowed to actually pick them up?
I know this question is painfully basic, but I cannot seem to find the answer in Google or YouTube.
Thank you.

 

[Becky Eubanks]

Of course you can pick them up but you can't remove them from the table, just watch the other players and you will see how they do it.

 

[duecesdown]

Thank you!

 

[lilpotato]

The Poker Tournament Directors Association (TDA) rules are what almost every casino and poker room use when conducting tournaments although they may alter some rules to fit their "House Rules" this is a link to the TDA rules http://www.pokertda.com/wp-content/...ules-2015-Version-1.0-full-longform-PDF-1.pdf When playing live cash games my suggestion is to ask for a copy of the "House Rules" most card rooms will be happy to supply you with a copy of their "House Rules"

 

[lcid86]

Check with the poker room host when you walk in. They will be happy to explain house rules while you wait for a table.

 

[OzExorcist]

For all sorts of reasons you're not allowed to take them off the table.

As for actually picking them up to look at them, no sensible player does this either because there's a very good chance that other players will see your cards in the process.

Leave them flat on the table, cup your hands around them and just lift one corner to see what you have - just like you see the pros do on TV.

 

[PackAnotherBowl]

Do not mark cards with a marker.

 

[teepack]

Do not mark cards with a marker.

Yes, markers will be easily detected. Just make sure you bend the corners of the aces!!

Kidding, of course.

The cards should not come off the table under any circumstances. I play in a Pub League and people are constantly picking their cards up and bringing them tight to their chest to look at them. Drives me nuts.

 

[PLAYFUL1]

Check with the poker room host when you walk in. They will be happy to explain house rules while you wait for a table.

Yes Playful always checks in on the Casino Host cause they are the most informative people around:deal:

 

[duecesdown]

The respondents who said keep them in contact with the table were all correct. The other players, all knowing I was knew, corrected me the very first time I picked them up. They said I could kill my hand by actually picking the cards up. Right after that I got a pair of kings. Glad I did not mess that hand up - it paid!