Protect poker
1) Hold onto your cards, as opposed to leaving them sit on
the table, such that the dealer cannot accidentally scoop up
your hand, and such that it cannot be otherwise fouled.
2) Place a chip atop your cards so that no cards falling on
them can foul the hand; usually followed by your hand or the
hand.
3) Place a chip atop the deck (by the player dealer or the house
dealer) after dealing the first round of cards, so that discards
cannot accidentally get mixed in with the deck; usually followed
by the deck. "Hey, dealer, protect the deck," means
the cards are just sitting on the table, and a player wants
the dealer to put a chip on top of the deck.
4) Bet in such a way as to increase the chances of an all-in
player winning a pot, that is, ensure a showdown between only
the bettor and the all-in player. For example, in a $4-to-go
no-limit lowball game, Grady has $20, while Tom, Sue, and Scott
all have over $200. Grady opens for $4, and Tom raises to $20.
Sue calls, and Scott raises another $40. Grady calls all of
his remaining chips. Tom and Sue call the re-raise, creating
a $60 side pot. Grady, Tom, and Sue all draw one card, and Scott
stands pat. Grady cannot bet after the draw. Tom and Sue both
pass. Now Scott says, "I'll protect your hand, Grady,"
and bets $150. If Tom and Sue now both fold, Grady has a better
chance of winning the main pot (and Scott can make money even
if he was bluffing, by winning the now-uncontested side pot).
Compare with dry pot.
5) When you have a blind in a blind game, invest more money
so money you've already put in the pot isn't "wasted."
"Jim always protects his blind, no matter what his cards
are or how many bets it costs."
6) Bet in such a way as to make other players pay for the privilege
of trying to beat your hand, a hand that is currently the leader,
but could easily be outdrawn on the draw, in a draw game, or
on the next card in a stud or flop game
