Angle in Poker | Meaning & Examples

In poker, an angle refers to a shady but technically legal move essentially designed to mislead an opponent in one form or another. It’s a one-off trick that bends poker etiquette without technically breaking the rules. And this makes them widely frowned upon by the general poker community.

What Does Angle Mean in Poker?

An angle is any potential move designed to mislead or even manipulate an opponent without directly cheating or breaking any rules. 

Common examples of angles can include:

• Pretending to fold your hand, then pulling cards back into play
• Acting out of turn intentionally to gain information
• Misdeclaring (verbalizing) your hand strength to confuse and mislead opponents
• Making exaggerated physical gestures to imply the weakness or strength of your hand

Even though these tactics are not technically illegal under house rules, they are seen as unethical by most players because they rely on trickery and deception rather than skill.

Why Angles Are Frowned Upon

Angles can disrupt the integrity of the game by creating unfair advantages to players and also by frustrating the rest of the table.

• Damage trust: Players will lose respect for anyone caught using an angle
• Exploit etiquette: Angles abuse gray areas rather than utilizing skillful play
• Create disputes: Dealers and floor staff may need to intervene, which again disrupts the game
• Hurt reputation: Regulars known for using angles often get avoided or ostracized by the poker community

Poker is primarily a game of strategy and psychology. So it is generally considered that angles cross a line that most poker players believe shouldn’t be crossed. 

Examples of Angles

Here are some real-world examples of angle plays you might see in your time at the felt. Look out for these moves.

• A player could hide valuable chips behind smaller ones, hoping opponents misjudge their stack size
• A player could “call” softly, then claim they only meant to ask how much the bet was
• A player fakes mucking their cards to see if their opponents reveal their hands early
   

Each example shows how angles can blur the line between being clever and cheating. This is the core issue with angles, which is why the community strongly discourages this behaviour.

FAQs

Is an angle considered cheating?
No. It doesn’t officially break the rules, but it does violate poker etiquette and is considered unethical. Some players may classify it as a form of cheating, but technically, it is not.

Can dealers stop a player from using an angle?
Yes. While not strictly against the rules of the casino, dealers may warn players or disallow certain tricks if they create confusion at the table.

What’s the difference between an angle and angle shooting?
An angle is a one-off move. Angle shooting is the repeated use of tactics or moves to gain an unfair edge over time.