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As an aside,
why aren't more of you thinking about being courteous and mannerly when at the table (or anywhere for that matter)? Overall that is plus EV for life.
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Good aside. Here's my speculative response. Poker is a competition. Although civilized competition takes place within the bounds of pre-established rules, the emotions (*cough* testosterone *cough*) competition stirs up don't always lend themselves to courteous conduct.
It's really no different than John McEnroe on the tennis court or the famous
video of Phillip Wellman. From a distance, we can agree that such conduct is -EV (going beyond any legitimate +EV to "working the refs").
OK, down from my soapbox....
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Most plus EV of all is responding with courtesy and good manners when confronted with discourtesy and bad manners. It's the killer play.
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Well said. Or as it's also been stated, "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Devastatingly effective.