Cash Game Advise for First Time Playing 1/2 NLHE in a Casino (2 Viewers)

[saleen121212]

Is there any tips on rules and table etiquette since I have only played home games? Don't want to piss off any dealers.

Obviously tip on wins
Don't play out of turn
What else?

 

[bentax1978]

Is there any tips on rules and table etiquette since I have only played home games? Don't want to piss off any dealers.

Obviously tip on wins
Don't play out of turn
What else?

• Keep your cards in front of you and visible to other players and to the dealer.
• Keep your larger denomination chips in front of your stack and visible to the other players and to the dealer.
• Stay off your phone while you're in a hand.

 

[saleen121212]

Obviously I know not to talk with my friend at the table about the hand going on in real time also.

 

[Anthony Martino]

If you intend to raise, verbally announce RAISE so your intentions are clear. A lot of first-timers wind up tossing out a single larger denomination chip with the intention of raising and it is ruled only a call.

Aside from that, HAVE FUN! Don't take it too serious, enjoy it for the entertainment. And don't worry too much about "professionals" in the 1/2 pool, those guys are playing 2/5 and higher. the 1/2 game you may find some "wannabes" but try to sit in a game where people are laughing and having fun. Those are more enjoyable on a personal level and usual on a financial one as well.

 

[DrStrange]

Normally there will be a desk managing a "waiting list" when you first get to the poker area, even if there are open seats. On a Friday night, there will be a waiting list or at least a que to get seated. You don't just sit at an empty seat in most cases.

You will either get taken to a seat right away or put on a list. If on a list they will have a way to contact you, you shouldn't have to stand and wait. If you do have to wait, find the house rules hanging on the wall in many rooms and read it.

You will get chips once you are assigned to a table, maybe via the desk, maybe via a chip runner, maybe from the dealer at the table.

The dealer manages the game and the chips. Place your wagers in front of you and the dealer will do the rest. Never ever make your own change. Don't splash the pot. Remember the single chip rule. Always better to say what you are doing than just doing it and hoping everyone understands your intentions.

Watch what is going on for a bit. look for things like a betting line or a forward motion rule. The goal is to get a feel for how thing work more than getting table reads. Table and villain reads are good but as a "new to casino poker" kind of guy the first order of business is getting comfortable.

Buying in short till you get your "sea legs" is a good strategy. More so if on a limited budget.

The players come and go quickly. It is hard to get good reads fast enough.

Don't worry about tells, "mixing up your game" or anything like Game Theory Optimal poker. The villains are not very observant and you are not playing that many hands.

ABC TAG is fine. People bluff less than you think. You can get along just fine with a pretty passive game. Perhaps not optimal, but not generally a disaster. Being a calling station is a disaster. So, tight passive (TAP) is ok, loose passive (calling station) isn't. Folding preflop is good plan.

Keep in mind the goal is to have a good time. It is fine to lose $300. You are in a casino, you are intended to lose your money. It isn't as though the black jack or craps tables are any better than a poker table.

Good luck! -=- DrStrange

PS take any racks of dollar chips you have after playing back home rather than cashing them in. Harvesting baby!

 

[Saoliver]

Is there any tips on rules and table etiquette since I have only played home games? Don't want to piss off any dealers.

Obviously tip on wins
Don't play out of turn
What else?

Announce your raises. Do not string bet. Stay quiet and polite. Do not show your cards unless you have to. The exception is to show your cards to try to tilt someone.

Most importantly, have fun.

 

[Anthony Martino]

ABC TAG is fine. People bluff less than you think.

this is correct for most 1/2 games, gotta agree with the good doctor. At that limit, big bets generally equal big hands. Don't pay them off.

 

[johnjohn]

I find craigs advice to be spot on. Sit back, get comfy and enjoy yourself. It's entertainment. I find that when I do those things i end up winning either way.

 

[saleen121212]

Normally there will be a desk managing a "waiting list" when you first get to the poker area, even if there are open seats. On a Friday night, there will be a waiting list or at least a que to get seated. You don't just sit at an empty seat in most cases.

You will either get taken to a seat right away or put on a list. If on a list they will have a way to contact you, you shouldn't have to stand and wait. If you do have to wait, find the house rules hanging on the wall in many rooms and read it.

You will get chips once you are assigned to a table, maybe via the desk, maybe via a chip runner, maybe from the dealer at the table.

The dealer manages the game and the chips. Place your wagers in front of you and the dealer will do the rest. Never ever make your own change. Don't splash the pot. Remember the single chip rule. Always better to say what you are doing than just doing it and hoping everyone understands your intentions.

Watch what is going on for a bit. look for things like a betting line or a forward motion rule. The goal is to get a feel for how thing work more than getting table reads. Table and villain reads are good but as a "new to casino poker" kind of guy the first order of business is getting comfortable.

Buying in short till you get your "sea legs" is a good strategy. More so if on a limited budget.

The players come and go quickly. It is hard to get good reads fast enough.

Don't worry about tells, "mixing up your game" or anything like Game Theory Optimal poker. The villains are not very observant and you are not playing that many hands.

ABC TAG is fine. People bluff less than you think. You can get along just fine with a pretty passive game. Perhaps not optimal, but not generally a disaster. Being a calling station is a disaster. So, tight passive (TAP) is ok, loose passive (calling station) isn't. Folding preflop is good plan.

Keep in mind the goal is to have a good time. It is fine to lose $300. You are in a casino, you are intended to lose your money. It isn't as though the black jack or craps tables are any better than a poker table.

Good luck! -=- DrStrange

PS take any racks of dollar chips you have after playing back home rather than cashing them in. Harvesting baby!

Love this, thanks for taking the time to write it all! It is good to know I need to announce the raise verbally instead of just putting extra chips in.

There most likely will not be a waiting list or anything at Cherokee on Christmas weekend, they are pretty much giving free rooms to anyone so I expect it will be difficult to even get a table, but we will call when we are close and ask to get on a list.

 

[Darson]

I've never played poker in a casino but one of my buddies used to be a dealer and apparently I tap my fingers on the tale while playing. I never noticed this before and no one every said anything until his first game and he said if I did that in a casino they would assume I was checking. I guess I need to be well aware of my nervous ticks if I ever hit a real casino!

 

[Lemonzest]

Is there any tips on rules and table etiquette since I have only played home games? Don't want to piss off any dealers.

Obviously tip on wins
Don't play out of turn
What else?

Announce your action verbally.

Also I wouldn't overthink it. Plenty of people who don't know poker sit down and play. After 1 or 2 orbits you will get the hang of it.

It might go without saying but don't make comments about what you think someone has while the hand is going on. This might fly in some home games but very much not kosher in the casino.

 

[Anthony Martino]

This has helped win me a number of pots (or save me chips) in the past. When you're heads-up in a hand facing a bet by your opponent, ask them:

"If I show, will YOU fold?"

It throws them off and takes them a second to process what they actually just heard. Then when they do respond you usually get a good indication of their strength and comfort

If their smile, laugh and response seem genuine and relaxed, they're comfortable with their hand and the situation (i.e. you will need a strong hand to continue)

If their smile, laugh and response seem forced/faked, it's because they're not comfortable with the situation. So you could pick them off on the river with a medium strength hand or you could even raise and blow them off the pot in these spots.

 

[saleen121212]

This has helped win me a number of pots (or save me chips) in the past. When you're heads-up in a hand facing a bet by your opponent, ask them:

"If I show, will YOU fold?"

It throws them off and takes them a second to process what they actually just heard. Then when they do respond you usually get a good indication of their strength and comfort

If their smile, laugh and response seem genuine and relaxed, they're comfortable with their hand and the situation (i.e. you will need a strong hand to continue)

If their smile, laugh and response seem forced/faked, it's because they're not comfortable with the situation. So you could pick them off on the river with a medium strength hand or you could even raise and blow them off the pot in these spots.

That. is hilarious. I have to try this at home games also.

 

[pltrgyst]

....If their smile, laugh and response seem forced/faked, it's because they're not comfortable with the situation....

Or it could be that they’re trying to decide if the dyslexic imbecile who just spoke is likely to turn violent.

 

[Anthony Martino]

Or it could be that they’re trying to decide if the dyslexic imbecile who just spoke is likely to turn violent.

 

[pltrgyst]

The problem is that I’ve heard Anthony pull this so many times that I’m starting to wonder if it’s intentional.

 

[Anthony Martino]

The problem is that I’ve heard Anthony pull this so many times that I’m starting to wonder if it’s intentional.

Disclaimer: May not work as well the 30th time as the 1st

 

[CraigT78]

Is there any tips on rules and table etiquette since I have only played home games? Don't want to piss off any dealers.

Obviously tip on wins
Don't play out of turn
What else?

Don't try to eat another players card capper.

 

[saleen121212]

Don't try to eat another players card capper.

I mean this is probably good advise.

 

[pltrgyst]

Don't try to eat another players card capper.

Then stop using Girl Scout Thin Mints!

 

[saleen121212]

Maybe @AfterTheFact and @Mr Tree will come show me how it's done.

 

[SkywayParkFR]

No string bet man !

But the most important is : Enjoy

 

[Beakertwang]

Don't try to eat another players card capper.

Also good advice: don’t bring an apple danish has a card capper!

 

[RichMahogany]

Don’t forget to wear a hoodie, sunglases, and headphones while at the table!

 

[Highli99]

eat something before you play. Drink water while you play. Don't drink too much caffeine or alcohol, if any.

Don't engage in table talk at all when in hands. If spoken to just remain silent, whether you are weak or strong.

Never show.

Be consistent in how you bet and check and your timing. Don't waste time with preflop decisions.

Be inconsistent in your bet sizes, esp with the same hands.

If the table sucks ask for a seat change.

 

[detroitdad]

eat something before you play

yep

Don't drink too much caffeine or alcohol, if any.

nope.........This is not your job. Party the shit out of it and have fun. Your risking one buy in lol.

Never show.

yep

Don't waste time with preflop decisions.

yep

Be inconsistent in your bet sizes, esp with the same hands.

Normally I would agree. In my experience, at these stakes on a FRI night. Most players aren't going to recognize whether you mix up your bets or do the same thing every time. Granted. I have little casino experience.

As stated several times. Have FUN. If your not having fun, your doing something wrong.

 

[Lemonzest]

That. is hilarious. I have to try this at home games also.

sometimes I respond with "it depends HOW you fold".

 

[saleen121212]

There will be plenty of fun being had, that is the only reason I am doing it, I am pumped and not nervous (yet). I just love playing poker or being around it so as long as I don't get sucked out on the first hand in a cooler situation it'll probably be fine.

 

[Lemonzest]

There will be plenty of fun being had, that is the only reason I am doing it, I am pumped and not nervous (yet). I just love playing poker or being around it so as long as I don't get sucked out on the first hand in a cooler situation it'll probably be fine.

You make money by taking people to value town. Don't try to catch bluffs.

 

[Rhodeman77]

Don’t talk strategy at the table. People do this a lot. You don’t want to tap on the glass and educate anyone, and more importantly you don’t want them know you know anything! Make them find out if you know how to play by paying off your bets.

If some idiot is rambling on about how somebody should have played a hand jut nod your head in agreement.