Online Poker Forum at Full Tilt Poker

jspring · Full House Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 229

I'm going to a casino for the first time in less than two weeks. I had a few questions. Do you buy chips at the table, or somewhere such as "the cage" that you see in some movies? I'll be playing $1/$2 NLH and didn't know if dealers should be tipped. If they should does it depend on how much you win, how long you stay? I was also wondering if it would be a good idea to read Mike Caros book on poker tells. I think it'd be a good idea, but I don't know if I should just go in there and focus on betting patterns the first time, since that's what you do online. Thanks

junkbutton · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:46 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry too much about reading a book on tells just yet... My first trip to a casino, I was a wreck... It wasn't time to introduce new things to my game... Just focus on what you know, betting patterns and the like, and play your game. Try not to splash around just because you want to get in on the action your first time out... Play tight, and enjoy the experience... It'll be less nerve racking the more you go...

For tipping, in my casino it's usually a buck when you win a pot. If it's a really big pot, maybe a couple or 5. It's up to you. Watch what other people do and follow their lead...

As far as buying chips, my casino has a desk right in the poker room that you buy them from... Good luck.

griffinlord · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:54 pm Post subject: Re:

junkbutton · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:59 pm Post subject: Re:

NobAzn · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:05 pm Post subject:

Dealer is your best friend, they will give you your options, tell you if it is your turn to act. Chips can be bought at the table, if it is busy then go over to the cage if you don't want to wait. Tipping is nice if you win a nice pot, it is all up to you.

aztecgator · Two Pair Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 70

Jspring, first good luck. I think you find the atmosphere very enjoyable. Second, be patient, between shulffing, replacing cards, adding chips, people buying-in, etc, the play is much slower than what you are use to online. With that said, here are a few pointers:

1. When you first get there, you will notice the area where you will need to sign up for a game. They have a lot of games going and the 1/2 NLH game is usually quite popular, so you may have to wait. Just give them your initials and you will be called when a seat opens up. While you wait, you might want to get a poker card. They are free and they allow you to earn comps. You might want to also go to one of the tables offering 1/2 NLH and watch the play.
2. Buying chips...depends on the casino. Some make you go the cage while others allow you to buy them at the table. Ask the person who takes your name what the policy is for the casino.
3. Tipping...its usually good practice to tip the dealer everytime you win a pot (unless its just the blinds). For 1/2 NLH, I generally tip $1 - $5 (mostly $1 unless its a huge pot). Be prepared to also tip the waitresses who bring you food and drinks.
4. Etiquette/subtleties to be aware of...
a) don't bet out of turn
b) NEVER pick up a card that falls on the floor - let the floorman do that.
c) NEVER place your chips in front of your cards while comtemplating calling a bet. That could be construed as a bet and you would be forced to make it. Always place your cards in front of your chips.
d) Always protect your cards, especially if you are in one of the seats next to the dealer. Place a lucky chip or something on them. I have seen players cards accidentally mucked by the dealer. Once the cards hit the muck, they cannot be retrieved.
e) the more you play, the more other tacit rules will become apparent to you. I have never found a poker room yet that has a written list of all these rules. It doesn't hurt to ask the dealer or better yet the floorman before you sit down (you don't want the others at the table knowing that its your first time at a casino).
5. Bluffing/tells...unless its obvious, don't read too much into what the others are doing. I find that in general, aggressive betting is a sign of weakness and soft, timid betting a sign of strength. You will know who the tight players are and who the maniacs are after a couple of hours. Reading betting patterns is helpful.
6. Smoking...a lot of poker rooms nowadays are smoke free. So, if you are a smoker, you will need to smoke outside of the poker room.

There probably is a lot more you will pick up as you continue to play at B & M casinos, just remember to have fun and enjoy the experience.

krazybangs · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject: Chips

One thing at tables is try to bring the minimum buy in at least. This speeds play up and keeps the brushes to a minimum. But get signed up for your table first and foremost and while you are waiting (have a time frame) then you can get chips fromt he cage. Obviously you dont want to wait for an hour holding your chips just loitering around, but you also dont wanna miss valuble playing time by standing in a long time once your seat is open.

Really depends on the time of day. Also at least at our casino you dont have to post a blind out of position to sit, but if you do you can wait for the blinds to go around and read some players first and foremost.

But yes, watcht he string bets and make sure the dealer hears your raises. Alot of time people wont hear the raise and he will just make change when you meant to raise. I use $1 chips so they can visually see when I put $2 in.... All matter of preference...

Most of all... Relax and Have FUN.

jspring · Full House Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 229

I feel really stupid asking this, but I most since I'm not up to date on all the poker lingo....what's a string bet? Also, thanks for the advise guys.

CrazyJoeDavola · Straight Flush Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 393

A string bet is when you reach back into your stack after you've already pushed in your bet. It's best just to say "raise" then get your bet together and push it in at once.

One other thing, if possible it's good to find a new NL table just starting, that way most folks will have similar chipstacks. Often times you'll get into a NL ring game and 2 or 3 guys will have monster chipstacks from playing there for several hours before you get there, and this can have an intimidating effect on a player new to live games.

You might want to try a small buy-in NL tourney first, just to get some seat time. Any rate, good luck at the tables and just relax Smile

dmoore1998 · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:43 pm Post subject:

When you bet or raise you must either announce the size (in which case you can go back to your stack as often as you want) or put all of the chips out for the bet at one time. A string bet is when you do NOT verbally declare your bet, put some chips out, then reach back to your stack to grab more chips to put out. This is not allowed and your bet will be the amount you put out the first time before reaching back to your stack. To make it simple I would simply always verbally declare your action first. "$15" for a bet "Raise to $30" for a raise. If you verbally declare it then you don't have to worry about string betting.

Also be aware that if you simply toss out one chip that is higher than the current amount to call (i.e. if you throw out a $5 chip when no one has raise, assuming you are playing 1/2) then that is simply a call of the $2 and the dealer will make change for you, this is NOT a raise to $5. Same way if you play with $10 chips at your 1/2 table, you can toss out the $10 chip at any time but it is still only a call unless you announce raise.

jspring · Full House Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 229

So to be safe I should verbally state what I'm doing on every action beside folding?

BOYNAMEDSUE · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:25 pm Post subject:

Yes, play it safe, and make all your actions verbal.

And like griffinlord said, play in turn. People hate when you play out of turn.

junkbutton · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:00 am Post subject:

And just to be a bit more specific, regarding string bets, you can't say, "I call your 15 and raise 30 more". This is also a string bet. Whatever you say first is binding, so in this case you will only be able to call.

AllInDrawinDead · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 1:10 pm Post subject: Re:

guitarguy178 · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject: Re:

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