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Why do poker players slap or tap the table felt after winning or losing a hand.?

I watch the World Series of Poker on ESPN all the time and I have always wondered why people do this.

Public Comments

1. I've only seen them tapping when they are checking the hand.. I have seen others hit or slam the table in anger after losing a hand.. Swearing is not allowed in the WSOP and will buy you a 20 minute time out.. So, Maybe they resort to hitting the table??
2. It is a sign of respect, a way of saying "good hand".
3. This is done to keep players from killing one another. Just kidding, it is just the passion and excitement you get from either winning a big hand or losing a big hand of poker. Why would someone play poker unless they got some kind of rush or thrill from it. And the tapping the table is a sign of this rush. I have had times where the other player turns over a better hand and i tap the table and tell him good hand.
4. it is to say well done to the winning player
5. it is the poker form of tipping your hat to the winner. a poker player enjoys the respect they receive from the game and most hate to lose. the tap of the table is a way for them to acknowledge that the other player has beaten them on that hand. a professional is likely to do this when they are outplayed and they wish to say, 'nicely played.'
6. It's the same as applauding with one hand to say great hand or great bluff. It's a sign of respect.
7. Poker players do this, mainly, as a sign of respect for one another. More often than not, it's one of the players on their end of the table, or seated somewhere close to them that recieve this sort of gesture after winning a pot. As a player, this is my way of congratulating an opponent seated near me. The difference between this and any other congratulatory gesture, such as a high five or a hand shake, is that is alot more subtle and less likely to offend the player on the losing end of the pot.