Dealing with Anti-Game Conduct in Live Poker Tournaments

[pc05bh]

Poker is competitive by nature, but every live tournament should also be guided by fairness, respect, and proper etiquette. Sometimes, players encounter what we call “anti-game conduct”—actions that go against the spirit of the game. This can include excessive stalling to run down the clock, angle shooting, abusive behavior at the table, or even collusion.
So, what should you do if you face this in a live event?
Stay Calm and Professional – Don’t engage emotionally with the player. Getting tilted only gives them an advantage.
Call the Floor – Tournament staff are trained to handle these situations. If you notice consistent stalling, unethical behavior, or suspicious actions, immediately request the floor to review.
Document and Speak Up – Be clear when explaining what happened. The staff can only act if they know the details.
Protect Your Own Game – Make sure you’re not letting the disruptive player affect your decisions. Stay focused.
Respect the Rules – Remember that most tournaments follow TDA (Tournament Directors Association) guidelines. Trust the staff to enforce them.
At the end of the day, poker is best when everyone plays with integrity. By handling anti-game conduct correctly, you not only protect yourself but also help maintain a healthy, enjoyable environment for all players.
What about you—have you ever experienced anti-game behavior in a live tournament? How did you handle it?

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[dannystanks]

Yeah this happens in almost every live tournament I e played in. We really need to have thick skin and don’t take anything personally when we play. There is a lot of testosterone and egos going at it so it’s best to just watch and laugh and when it gets to the point of rule bending just call the floor. Usually players will protect other players, especially if someone tries to angle shoot another player.

 

[ScoobyEdu]

Poker is competitive by nature, but every live tournament should also be guided by fairness, respect, and proper etiquette. Sometimes, players encounter what we call “anti-game conduct”—actions that go against the spirit of the game. This can include excessive stalling to run down the clock, angle shooting, abusive behavior at the table, or even collusion.
So, what should you do if you face this in a live event?
Stay Calm and Professional – Don’t engage emotionally with the player. Getting tilted only gives them an advantage.
Call the Floor – Tournament staff are trained to handle these situations. If you notice consistent stalling, unethical behavior, or suspicious actions, immediately request the floor to review.
Document and Speak Up – Be clear when explaining what happened. The staff can only act if they know the details.
Protect Your Own Game – Make sure you’re not letting the disruptive player affect your decisions. Stay focused.
Respect the Rules – Remember that most tournaments follow TDA (Tournament Directors Association) guidelines. Trust the staff to enforce them.
At the end of the day, poker is best when everyone plays with integrity. By handling anti-game conduct correctly, you not only protect yourself but also help maintain a healthy, enjoyable environment for all players.
What about you—have you ever experienced anti-game behavior in a live tournament? How did you handle it?

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I've been through a complicated situation.

FT semifinal of the 2-day tournament. At my table, everyone practically knew each other, and there was never an all-in or resteal between them... But when I was in the middle of the action, there was always only one player against me... and I always got all-in.

I felt very uncomfortable, but I ended up waiting for a good hand to call or go all-in. When I got an AKo, I went all-in... I didn't think twice, I called, and villain had JJ, who held, and I was eliminated in 11th place.

But I've noticed that in some cases, when people complain in the club I play for, they're reprimanded because the abusers are those loyal customers who spent a fortune at the club. So much so that even the dealers don't hold back on intimidating conversations during a hand, such as: Saying they're playing a lucky hand... and when the flop comes, they say they're the nuts, trying to complicate decision-making... telling a friend that if they stay in the hand, they'll be eliminated, and things like that...

These days, I don't get involved in the game much, so I can focus on what I have to do and do it to the best of my ability.