New players visiting card rooms across the nation are likely to run into situations they don't quite know how to handle, such as the dilemma this player from Wyoming faced recently.

At a tournament in Las Vegas, the man next to me said he did not like how I was playing. Once, he touched my chips when I was slow posting my blind, but I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to do that. What should a less-experienced player say or do so no one is offended? — Jamie, Rock Springs, Wyo.

You are 100 percent correct, Jamie. No other player should EVER touch your chips. It's bad etiquette, it can lead to arguments or even fights, and it can be a way to cheat or steal. It's just not done.

Meanwhile, it's OK (sometimes) to politely remind another player he hasn't posted yet. I've done it, but ONLY because I thought the player might discard his hand without posting. That's easy to do, especially if a player is distracted (such as happily stacking chips from winning the previous pot, as you were!). If a player mucked prematurely, he'd still have to post, with no hand to show for it.

Even though I consider this a polite gesture, some opponents won't take kindly to being told to post their blind or ante by another player, no matter how pleasantly the player says it. Good dealers prevent such problems by prompting players to post as they start each new hand.

Regarding unfriendly players: It sounds as if you showed tremendous patience with that jerk in Vegas. He didn't like how you were playing? He said rude things? The game was beneath him? The guy needs an attitude adjustment, or he should switch to online poker, where he doesn't have to sit next to real people.

Your experience level is no excuse for an opponent to berate your play or be a horse's butt. He may have suspected you were inexperienced and was trying to intimidate you, but that's still no reason to break the rules and treat others poorly.

Your efforts to keep from being rude back to him or offending anyone else are commendable — not because he deserves being treated with respect, but because your first goals at the table are to have fun and play your best game.

That won't be easy with an irritating opponent beside you.

So, what should you do?

If someone touches your chips, in a calm and steady voice just say, "Sir, please don't touch my chips." Say it loud enough for the dealer to hear it, but don't shout. If it happens again, ask the dealer directly to please instruct the player not to touch your chips. Keep your tone calm but determined.

If the dealer doesn't act, you've got three choices: Tell the supervisor what happened, give the player a final notice, or leave that seat. If you decide to move, either ask the dealer for a seat-change button so you can take a different chair at that game, ask the supervisor to move you to a different table or leave the card room. Nothing good will come from you staying there if the nonsense won't stop.

You can expect more of the same at times in public card rooms, so you've got to be ready for it.

Russ, you truly have a great gig with your LuckyDog column, and I wish you the best. Also, I want you to know there is a $20-$40 stud game at the Bellagio that you would just love! — Jim M. in Las Vegas

Ha! I've held my own in that stud game at the Bellagio in Vegas back when it was $15-$30 and played in it a few times with modest success after it switched several years ago to $20-$40. Lots of fun!

Now that I'm retired from my "day job," however, I'm not sure how many racks of red chips I can risk. I plan to make it out that way later this year, so maybe I'll give that game another go.

I only play home games now. I can't play online anymore, as I can't find a place that lets U.S. players deposit money. Danged government always screws up a good thing! — Bryan J. in Dallas

Don't sell your computer just yet, Bryan.

Yes, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which passed in late 2006, caused many online poker sites to cut off U.S. players — not because it was illegal to play online, but because the law threatened penalties against financial institutions that process transactions with online sites.

Nevertheless, there still are many sites where you can play free poker and several that still accept U.S. players in cash games and tournaments. A check of their Websites will explain your deposit options.

E-mail your poker questions and comments to russ@luckydogpoker.com for use in future columns. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit www.creators.com or www.luckydogpoker.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 RUSS SCOTT

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