Slow roll
Deliberately delaying to reveal a winning hand at showdown — or calling an all-in with the nuts as if agonising over it — to make the opponent believe they have won. It breaks no rule but is the worst breach of poker etiquette.
Frequently asked questions
What is a slow roll in poker?
Taking a long pause before revealing a hand you know is the winner, letting the opponent believe for a moment that they have won. It gains nothing strategically — the pot is already yours.
Why is slow rolling frowned upon?
It is purely at the opponent's expense, and it is the one breach of etiquette that reliably sours a table. Televised slow rolls between friends are a different matter; doing it to a stranger is not.
Can you be penalised for a slow roll?
Floor staff can and do issue warnings or clock penalties for unreasonable delays, though a slow roll is usually treated as a manners problem rather than a rules infraction. Deliberately stalling to burn the clock in a tournament is a separate, enforceable offence.