If you’re a poker player, you probably know that slow rolling is bad etiquette. While it’s not a strict rule against getting thrown out of the game or even the casino for this move, it does make you look bad and isn’t something you want to be known for. In this article, we’re going to go over some of the most horrendous slow rolls you can find in the game and explain exactly why they are so bad.
There are a number of different reasons why a player might slow roll, but most of them have to do with making someone else uncomfortable. Most players understand that they shouldn’t be making their opponents feel uncomfortable, especially at a high stakes table where people are often losing large amounts of money. However, there are some players who take this to the extreme and use slow rolls to try and get under someone’s skin. These players are usually just dickheads who don’t deserve to be in the game and should be kicked out immediately.
In general, a slow roll is any action that takes more than a few seconds to complete. This includes pausing to double check a hand and asking for a chip count before calling. While this is generally frowned upon, it’s not a huge deal if you are just nervous in your first live tournament or are trying to be careful with your chips. However, if you are slow rolling intentionally and trying to give your opponent a hard time it’s not acceptable and should be stopped immediately.
One of the worst types of slow rolls in poker occurs when you’re holding a strong hand and your opponent calls an all-in bet on the river. If you pause and ask for a count before calling, this is considered a slow roll. While it’s not the end of the world to do this in small pots, it’s best to avoid it in a big-money pot or in the final tables of a tournament.
Another common type of slow roll is when you’re heads-up with a fish and try to make them lose their composure by causing them to feel embarrassed or angry. This is not only a bad move because it’s against poker etiquette, but it also makes the fish less likely to stay in the game and could result in them leaving the tables for good.
Unless you’re a very experienced and skilled player, it’s best not to slow roll in big-money hands or in the final tables of tournaments. If you do, it’s a surefire way to ruin your reputation as a good poker player and may make other players not want to play with you.