I packed light, bluffed once, folded a lot and somehow ended up at a poker table in São Paolo. Yup! That happened. When SiGMA Group hosted their first-ever international poker tournament in Brazil, yours truly (repping Lovin Malta) got the golden invite. The energy was wild, the stakes were high and the etiquette? Well… let’s just say I learned a few things the fun way.So, whether you’re thinking of joining a poker tournament or just stepping up your game at a more serious table, here are a few unspoken (but very real) rules I picked up (as a beginner) between a cheeky bluff and a humbling fold:Ante = exact change. Don’t toss random chips. Ideally, the ante is given in the exact amount and handed directly to the dealer.Avoid a string bet. Look this up before you sit down. Say your raise clearly or move all your chips forward in one go. But remember: pushing all your chips in means you’re going all-in, so only do it if that’s your actual play.Prep your raise. Don’t waste time fumbling. Have your raise chips stacked and ready before you act.Never release your cards too soon. Especially if you’re not showing, if you win the pot and throw your cards face-down, they’re gone. Keep them safe till the pot is yours.Showdown isn’t mandatory. Unless all the players are all-in. If the dealer asks for a showdown and you know your opponent has the better hand (or you just don’t want to show), you don’t have to reveal your cards.Card position matters. Cards go up front, chips stay closer to you. And never hide your chip stack, people need to see it.Table balancing is real and surprising. Don’t get too comfortable. At any point, the dealer might tap you on the shoulder and ask you to switch tables. It’s not personal, it’s called table balancing. As players bust out, tournament staff move players around to keep the number of people at each table even.The next ones? They should be obvious, but after four days at the tables, let’s just say common sense isn’t always part of the deck. So here’s your crash course in basic poker behaviour, aka: how to not look like a total newbie.Act in turn. Don’t bet, fold, or reach for chips until it’s your turn. It messes with the flow and gives away information unfairly.Verbal declarations are binding. If you say “call” or “raise,” it stands, even if you haven’t pushed chips in yet. Be careful what you say.Don’t slow-roll. If you have the winning hand at showdown, don’t wait too long to reveal it. It’s considered disrespectful to keep your opponent hanging.Keep table talk light and friendly. No coaching other players during a hand. And avoid discussing hands in progress, even if you’ve folded.Protect your cards. Always keep a chip or card protector on them (I thought these were lucky charms). If the dealer mistakes your hand for mucked cards, it’s gone.Be aware of your chip stack. Keep it visible and organised. Hiding your big stack or spreading your chips out too thin is frowned upon.Don’t celebrate too hard. Winning a big hand is great, but rubbing it in or trash-talking? Not cool. Stay classy.There is no concept of time in a poker tournament. You could be out in 30 minutes or still grinding after 8 hours. That’s part of the magic. It’s not just about cards; it’s about reading people, noticing nervous tics, staying patient and learning to fold even if you have to do it ten times in a row.In just four days, I picked up more than tips. I made real connections, met poker fanatics and first-timers alike, learned to keep my cool and understood the deeper rhythm of the game. A special shoutout goes to Ivonne Montealegre, who taught me more in those few days than I could’ve imagined, so much so that I even managed to bluff her out of a hand once (true story).Next Stop: Malta!If you’re curious to test your poker face or just want a taste of the tournament scene, the next SiGMA Poker Tour stop is happening right here on home turf, and yes, I’m not missing this one in my hometown, right where Sigma World all started!Expect non-stop entertainment, open-bar and food, great vibes with your crew and who knows, you might even end up playing against big names, brand ambassadors or top-tier poker pros.Ready to join me?🎲 Event Info: SiGMA Poker Tour Malta🎟 Buy-In Link: Poker Tour Malta TicketsDon’t wait to be shuffled into action, book your seat, bring your best bluff and maybe we’ll meet at one of the tables!Share this with your poker buddies•