If you play poker, chances are that you’ve been on the losing end of a slow roll at least once. It’s an incredibly frustrating way to lose a hand and can lead to players getting angry and losing their cool. So, it’s important to know what a slow roll is and how to avoid it.
A slow roll in poker is when an opponent, holding a winning hand, stalls the showdown by taking too long to reveal their cards. This is a form of taunting and goes against the rules of poker etiquette. It’s a common move to try and get the opponent’s blood pumping, which can make them feel even worse about their loss.
Luckily, there are a few ways to avoid being slow-rolled at the poker table. For one, always double-check your hand before you show it to your opponents. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally show a card that gives away your hand. You also shouldn’t be afraid to call the showdown if you think that you have the winning hand.
Additionally, you should always be courteous to other players at the table. If you see someone slow-rolling another player, it’s best to compliment the winning player and not get too heated about it. This will keep the situation from blowing up and allow you to put an end to this tactic.
There’s nothing wrong with showing your emotions in the poker game, but you should never be mean-spirited or insulting. This goes against the spirit of the game and will only give your opponents more reason to dislike you. Moreover, it can make you look like a complete idiot in front of other players.
This is especially true when you’re playing in a televised tournament. Mike Matusow recently caught Shaun Deeb slow rolling him during an episode of Poker Night in America. Deeb claimed that he was only joking, but it’s hard to take that seriously when you’re on national television.
A slow roll in poker is one of the worst things you can do at a poker table. It’s an unnecessary breach of etiquette and it can ruin the experience for everyone at the table. So, if you’re ever playing poker with a friend, be sure to avoid this offense at all costs.