Players who want to learn about what is slow rolling in poker, perhaps they already heard that this term gives a worse signal. Serious players even always try to avoid it. Then, why is slow roll remaining as a bad move in poker? Are there any examples in which slow rolling can be the right thing to do?
Well, we will answer those questions for you to consider if it is bad and why you need to avoid it.
Understanding What is Slow Rolling in Poker
To give you an idea about what is slow rolling in poker, it is when you have a very strong hand, however, taking a long time to make an easy call when closing the action on the river. The definition of this term is also when you know that you have the best hand but take a long time to show your hand at showdown.
For instance, let’s say you have KhJh, and there are 3 hearts by the river. Then you bet and your opponent chooses to call. Since they didn’t raise, you can be sure that you are holding the best hand even though it is not the absolute nuts.
Instead of turning your hand immediately, you hesitate and decide to wait for them to reveal their hands, giving them the impression they may have the winner. Even though there is not a single clear definition of what is slow rolling in poker, almost all players who have played for more than a few weeks are aware of when they will do it, and very rarely does it happen by accident.
Is Slow Rolling Legal in Poker?
After understanding what is slow rolling in poker, let’s learn more detail about its legalization. Players who like to slow roll others in poker will commonly argue that there is nothing to avoid it in the official rules.
In fact, this is true as there is no defined number of seconds or minutes within which you need to showdown your hand when it is your turn to act. However, if you play in a new format, you may ruin into a poker room manager who doesn’t appreciate such actions. If you keep doing it even after being warned by the casino staff, they might give you a penalty.
You should remember that every poker room and manager out there can run their games but they see fit. If they find you are disrupting the games, then you could still find yourself sitting on the rail for a little while to consider your actions or even out of the game if you bother others too much in the game.
Why Slow Rolling in Poker is a Bad Move?
One of the main reasons of what is slow rolling in poker becomes a bad move is considered a breach of poker etiquette as the player that is slow rolling will give the opponents false hope that he may win the game.
Taking your time in conditions where you completely have the best holdings is like rubbing salt on an open wound. Yes, you should avoid it. Moreover, you will also waste everyone’s time.
When you play in a private game where the poker dealer decides who will show up, you probably will not be invited again if you do this too often. Well, there are only disadvantages to such play.
Tips on How to Avoid Slow Rolling in Poker
About what is slow rolling in poker, you are able to do several things to avoid being a player who slow rolls. Most of them are based on the fact that you should never keep your strong cards face down when you already know you have the best hand. Here is some tips on how to avoid slow rolling other poker players:
- When it is your turn to act and there is no more betting, show your cards immediately
- Call the all-in immediately when you know you have the best hand and you are the last player to act when facing an all-in
- You need to double-check your cards so that you don’t slow other players by accident.
With these tips about what is slow rolling in poker, if you slow roll an opponent by accident, don’t hesitate to make a genuine apology to avoid any bad blood between you in future poker games.
When is the Right Time to Slow Roll in Poker?
Like most other acts, what is slow rolling in poker is relative. It means there will be occasions when it may be OK to do it. However, it would be best to avoid slow rolling your opponents until you have a good feeling for the game and table dynamics.
Experience will help you consider these situations correctly and help you prevent making mistakes after you misinterpret your opponent’s actions.
With this, when you are in a hand versus an opponent who had recently slow rolled somebody else at the table, it may be OK to slow roll them too. On the other hand, if you are playing a game with your friends and you decide to slow roll each other all the time, you will not make a mistake by slow rolling one of them just for fun.
Lastly about what is slow rolling in poker, when you are playing against a player who is being abusive and rude towards you or other players at the table, then you can slow roll them. An important thing to remember is that if you are unsure whether you need to slow roll somebody or not, it is better not to do it than make a mistake.
Conclusion
While not technically illegal, what is slow rolling in poker is frowned upon. You should avoid it in the game. It will irritate other players by giving them false hope and can significantly hurt your image when you keep pulling this move on others. However, it might be OK once in a while if playing among close friends to tease each other. But, we advise you not to do it.