I'm popping in here with similar questions. after 8+ years of almost exclusively tournaments I'm interested in playing a little bit of cash. But the etiquette and norms give me more anxiety than the actual game play.
I think dealers deserve to be tipped, but I'd like to know the MINIMUM to tip without being rude/cheap that way when I really feel like I'm getting great service I can tip more. I think for myself in a 1/2 game I won't tip on any pot I win preflop and postflop I'll probably tip about $1 on pots that are close to 10bb or more. if it's a really small heads up pot and a CB wins, I might not tip...is this OK?
This seems about right to me. I also always find it more difficult to tip in terms of figuring out the norms and whats right in the smaller games. In the bigger games its easy you just do it ever hand etc but in smaller games you do need to factor in seeing a flop for like a 5$ pot and you just got raked 1$ etc, i never could justify tipping in those spots.
But, when a dealer is really great, friendly, fast etc I want to be able to afford to tip more.
Other questions:
1) seat changes and table changes. what is the right way to go about this. I don't want to seem rude or needy
Generally seat changes look bad, and it looks like you are just trying to bum hunt someone, it gets awkward when they notice as well. Obvious exception if you want to sit next to a friend etc. Im fine with seat changes but it can be frowned upon. Table changes, there really is no problem with this in any of the spots ive played at, so you should be fine
2) topping up (buying more chips) how often should I do this and what is the protocol?
Usually i just buy in for the max and top up when my stack has it hit a dip, its hard to do if you drop like 2$, you arent going to rebuy 2$ right, so its just a matter of finding that zone where its worthwhile to actually dip, for some its for 25$, some its 100$, just really depends. No one is ever gonna frown on it since your adding money to the table
3) straddles. I don't really understand this. I've done the mississippi straddle (button straddle with last action) and it's obvious to me that I should always take that option but other straddles I don't get.
This is a weird one cause the mississippi or rock are usually universal and you can get those, but some places just do some really random straddling and its really just house rules at that point, if in doubt just ask, i dont think its ever a problem to do this
4) run it once or twice etc. I don't really understand what's going on with this. (I understand the mechanics, but who proposes it and why and should I say yes, does it even matter?)
So anyone can propose it once all in, i tend to ask the question of my opponent, if they want once or twice. It just speeds it up to take the innitative since sometimes you end up waiting for someone to decide and it becomes a stare down. In our game, generally we run it twice everytime but thats mainly cause our all ins are generally in the deep 4 figures and into 5 figures but its just a common courtesy to extend. But i will warn, you are going to want to have a consistent decision, reason being if people see you going once in some situations and twice in others then you have a problem. So just be consistent in what you do.
5) etiquette for taking a break....if I'm just going to the restroom I'm not too worried but what if I want to take a little longer break...should I give up my seat? Is it safe to leave my chips?
Yea should be safe to leave chips, most places will have a time limit for how long you can be gone, so just make sure you dont overstay your leave, but in any event your chips are safe
6) chopping the blinds, should I do this? What's the rationale?
This one is more for courtesy than anything else, plus BvB pots end up being small so it just saves time, again its just to be courtesy but you want to be consistent in your decision, all lot of times you need to just stick to whatever you do, either always chop or never chop etc.
7) how do I evaluate the rake? the only games I've ever played in were private games (no rake) so I'm not sure about the bad beat jackpots and rake etc. I don't want to get too ripped off.
Depends on how often you play at the place, you wont be able to avoid it if they have promotions etc like High hand/ BBV or like a monthly comp for regulars. If its the last one, and there is a loyalty comp, then it really only benefits you if you play it very regularly. The rake as expected is going to be high, In a lot of places its 10% capped at like 5$/10$. When you move into the 2/5 and above bracket however, there are table charges so rake is not a factor.
8) are there other rules I should know about that are different than tourneys? ex I don't think you have to table your hand when you're all in, is this correct? anything else like this?
that is correct. When it comes to cash, i wouldnt say there are rules per say but just etiquette points. Once your not angling anyone you should be fine.