I've seen this a lot lately. I'll give an example when I wasn't in the hand. MP opens CO calls SB 3 bets... action back on MP. MP started chatting it up with the CO as soon as both entered the pot.

Both are regs. Both just sat down from a broken table. MP is still chatting it up with the CO when action is on him, although it isn't really anything related to the hand. It is taking up time. Both are still left to act in the hand preflop. SB feels like it is affecting his action, says something, and both end up folding preflop.

MP and CO get kind of ruffled about not letting them talk afterward. And, MP ends up getting up from the table because of it. SB admits after he was trying to put MP on tilt because he tilts easy lol.

After they both folded I said "now you can talk" that might have got them steamed too idk.

Who is out of line? I'd like to know for future reference.

Are you suggesting that people can't talk at all while at the table and a hand is underway? That's pretty ridiculous.

I don't talk about my hand, or other players' holdings, or the betting in the hand, but anything else is fine and a big part of the enjoyment of live poker.

Is it "out of line" to ask two other players not to talk? I don't know if I'd go that far, but don't be surprised when they laugh at you and keep talking. Most people can chat without slowing down the game and are equally capable of telling their neighbours to shut up when they get in a hand that requires some concentration or attention.

[Edit - maybe I've misunderstood the question???]

I think the complaint wasn't that they were talking ... but that the conversation was taking priority over playing and that they were wasting time.

Usually I see this when there are drunks at the table. Somebody gets the drunk guy involved in a conversation and it brings the game to a crawl

Rephrase: Your 3 handed preflop and just raised it up. Now the 2 other people in the hand start talking to each other when the action is on them. Is this acceptable?

Depends what they are saying. Certaonly a private conversation that can't be heard is not accpetable. Ceratainly discussion of this hand or how to play it is not accpetable. But discussion of the football game on TV is fine.

Well if they're holding up the play no its not acceptable and its up to the dealer to do something about it

Okay yeah. They were definitely holding up play because action was on them and the SB finally got tired of waiting while they were talking. The conversation was outloud so everyone could hear it though.