Poker is more than just a game of chance and skill; it’s also a mental exercise that forces players to confront their own weaknesses and failures while learning how to manage frustration. It is an excellent way to develop problem-solving skills, patience, and decision-making under pressure—qualities that are beneficial in both personal and professional life.
KILL ALL LOSING HANDS BEFORE PUSHING THE POT
It is important for the dealer to keep the pot clear. When a player is losing and decides to concede and muck their hand, it’s important for the dealer to pull their chips in so they are not mixed in with their winning hands from previous streets. This will avoid confusion in the future.
DO NOT LET PLAYERS STRESS OUT ON MAKING CHANGE
This is a hard thing to say without sounding patronizing, but it’s important that dealers don’t make players anxious about making change. This can lead to them not paying attention to the action or being reluctant to fold their weak hands. A better solution is to make sure there is enough change in the pot before allowing players to act, or to tell them if they have no change they can ask another player for some. This is a lot less stressful for everyone involved. This also helps to reduce chip manipulation by preventing players from palming. If a player is doing this, it’s the dealer’s responsibility to stop gameplay so they can be warned or called over to solve the issue.