[mosch]

The advice that would save me a lot of money, if I could just remember to follow it when I travel, is don't just watch the action, watch people's reaction to the action.

It's usually pretty obvious from the other players, if the action is considered routine or out of the ordinary. This can be vital if you come from an aggro game, and stumble into a passive one. Sadly, I tend to remind myself of this rule by losing a big pot right out of the gates.

That said, if you're playing mid-stakes, this shouldn't be a difficult task. At worst, it's not a bad idea to play solid and straightforward for a half hour while you get used to the surroundings, order a beverage, and get settled in.