NOLA Red
Enthusiast
Silver Level
The importance of protecting your cards is greater if you are seated in seat 1 or 9 (10). Sitting right next to the dealer seems to be the prime spot for unintentional mucking. I ALWAYS protect my cards if sitting in one of these two seats.
Dealers have to stretch a bit to get to the other seats and you can usually stop them before they grab them. If seated in any other position, I randomly use a chip, place my hand on my cards or hold them parallel to the felt. Occasionally I'll use a chip protector, usually my tiny green Buddha , when playing $4/8 FLHE where you don't have to worry about looking lame.
Dealers have to stretch a bit to get to the other seats and you can usually stop them before they grab them. If seated in any other position, I randomly use a chip, place my hand on my cards or hold them parallel to the felt. Occasionally I'll use a chip protector, usually my tiny green Buddha , when playing $4/8 FLHE where you don't have to worry about looking lame.