Unsportsmanlike Table Talk (Letter 2)

Dear Hoptoi,

I play weekly in a drop-in game with players of different experience levels. Also, some players are more competitive than others. When I completes a second exposure, one of the more competitive players feels the need to caution the others by announcing my likely hand. Is there a rule against this?!

Exposed and Intimidated

Dear Exposed and Intimidated,

Openly sharing insights during a game is bad form, and there are no current rules governing sportsmanship. The wiki article on Etiquette and Sportsmanship (Article 115) includes what the league says about excessive talking during a game.

The best way to handle issues with group dynamics like this is to have a meeting of the minds where everyone has a voice. In the meeting, members should be kind yet frank about any issues. Topics for discussion should include culture, pace, sportsmanship, house rules, and how to handle issues if they occur. Use the consensus and create a charter to protect the integrity of the group. Current and new members must agree to play by the rules in the charter. If someone disagrees, they are likely not a good fit for your group culture and should find somewhere else to play. Learn more about managing a group in the wiki article Group Culture – Friendly Game vs Playing by the Rules (Article 149).