Going South
Going south means secretly taking chips off the table during a cash game so that they cannot be lost. It is also known as ratholing and is against the rules in most poker rooms.
The simple explanation
A player who wins a lot of chips may be tempted to put some in a pocket, so that they cannot lose them back. This is prohibited in most casinos, because the other players have a right to win those chips. If you want to take chips away, you cash out and leave the game.
A closer look
Going south is a breach of the etiquette of cash games, and also a breach of the rules in most public rooms, where the chips on the table are considered to be in play. Home games treat it as bad manners too. A related practice is to leave after winning a big pot, which is a legal hit and run, but is considered rude by many players. If a player wants to play with a smaller stack, the right way is to cash out some chips and leave the table, or to stay with the full stack.
A practical example
A player has won $400 and quietly puts $300 in his pocket, so he has less to lose. This is going south, and the floor may ask him to put the money back.
Full explanation
Going south means secretly taking chips off the table during a cash game so that they cannot be lost. It is also known as ratholing and is against the rules in most poker rooms.
Going south means taking chips off the table during a cash game without announcing it. It is also called ratholing.
The rules in most poker rooms do not allow it, because chips in play must stay in play.
It is also bad etiquette in a home game.
If you want to protect a win, cash out and leave.