Preparing to go to a casino for the first time... (1 Viewer)

You are wrong. The poker table is the only place to talk about these things........Everybody in the world knows those three topics are taboo ANYWHERE social........
Correction....
Everyone SHOULD know these topics are taboo. I have been at countless live games where this stuff comes up. It almost never goes well ...

For what it’s worth,
Go to have fun and use this first trip as an experience to build on for possible future trips. Don’t have any expectations except to learn. I’ve spent countless hours playing in casinos and there’s almost nothing I haven’t seen happen at a poker table in a casino.
100% agree..

First and foremost, don’t buy into a $1/$2 NLHE game for $100, always buy in for at least $300. You will project a more serious image to the players already siting there and not come off as someone trying to hit and run or just trying to pick a spot to shove........
I agree with the rest of what you say too, but I disagree on this point. I'm not saying your advice is wrong all the time or bad advice. I'm just saying my read in this situation is that it calls for something different.

Consider these things: OP has given a bunch of tells before even sitting down at the table. He is brand new here. He says he has never been to a Casino. He tells us his plan is to buy in for $100. He is asking us for advice about a 1st visit to a Casino. He doesn't mention that he has played online or even that he has played a lot or studied the game.

Based on the tells that he has given, I am making some assumptions about his skill level. Guys that have never played in a Casino are giving off all sorts of tells and OP is no different. Sure buying in short is a bit of a tell and is sub optimal for a winning player. For a new player that is most likely not all that strong of a player and is likely both a bit nervous and likely doesn't have deep pockets I don't believe buying in short is a mistake.

There are a bunch of advantages that buying in short accomplish for a new/weaker player that wouldn't apply to an expert. After playing more than 1 million hands live, my observation has been that it is extremely rare for a brand new player to not get felted in his/her 1st ever bullet in a Casino. One of those advantages is if you are going to get felted, you might as well do it for a short buy than a max buy. Maybe, just maybe OP will be able to play a little longer and have more fun if he has more than one bullet.
 
Last edited:
Correction....
Everyone SHOULD know these topics are taboo. I have been at countless live games where this stuff comes up. It almost never goes well ...
I use them when people start talking about really bad beats or “how they do it” in their home game - I just ask them what religion they are, what political party, and they stop talking about their sad stories.
 
I use them when people start talking about really bad beats or “how they do it” in their home game - I just ask them what religion they are, what political party, and they stop talking about their sad stories.
Strangers try to talk to you? You must look happy or inviting or something. How awful.
 
Hey hello and welcome. Myself and a good buddy are both young guys and detroiters as well. Well we live in Troy but we play at the Detroit casinos. If you ever want some casino buddies send me a pm and we'll set it up. Also when covid is over and the charity card rooms open back up I would suggest that. They often have a more laid back feel in my opinion.
 
Strangers try to talk to you? You must look happy or inviting or something. How awful.
So when I’m chatting to you about your life, what kind of car you drive, your job, what you do for fun,

what I’m looking for is how much risk are you comfortable with, what’s yours likely debt loss ceiling, what to press you on if I want you to go on tilt, what to say to align you with me against other players, etc.... so yeah, chat it up all you want.

In a poker game, I don’t know you but we are in an adversarial competition and I’m going to start building profiles with as much information as I can. It’s amazing what people will tell you if you listen a little. Favorite hands, how they play jacks or aces, they talk it all up.
 
So when I’m chatting to you about your life, what kind of car you drive, your job, what you do for fun,

what I’m looking for is how much risk are you comfortable with, what’s yours likely debt loss ceiling, what to press you on if I want you to go on tilt, what to say to align you with me against other players, etc.... so yeah, chat it up all you want.

In a poker game, I don’t know you but we are in an adversarial competition and I’m going to start building profiles with as much information as I can. It’s amazing what people will tell you if you listen a little. Favorite hands, how they play jacks or aces, they talk it all up.
This is casino though with strangers.

In a home game it’s different, because it’s a different social scenario. I’m really learning about whatever your talking about because there’s a future here of regularity.

Other tells besides chat become present when we are friends playing together and not strangers.
 
I use them when people start talking about really bad beats or “how they do it” in their home game - I just ask them what religion they are, what political party, and they stop talking about their sad stories.
Yes, if one player begins criticizing another’s play I have asked “can we talk about religion or politics”. It’s a joke that hopefully in a non-confrontational way reminds everyone that those verboten topics are better than things currently being discussed. No strat at the table and don’t tap the glass!
 
Yes, if one player begins criticizing another’s play I have asked “can we talk about religion or politics”. It’s a joke that hopefully in a non-confrontational way reminds everyone that those verboten topics are better than things currently being discussed. No strat at the table and don’t tap the glass!
I'll talk strategy all day long away from the table, but you are right, it is a lousy topic at the table. Criticizing other players play is horrible too.....
 
Looking for some advice, and friend and I who have played a ton of games at home and are looking to give a first shot at playing in a casino. We're thinking we might take a day or two and go to the MGM Grand in Detroit and buy-in for $100 and the 1/2 no-limit table. Figure we gotta start somewhere. Any advice/recommendations/tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
My advice is do it.
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Back
Top Bottom