First trip to a casino for poker

[kmak]

I am making my first trip to Vegas in three weeks since I began playing poker online and am looking forward to my first "B&M" experience (that sounds odd...).

Are there any books to read about how to play live? I recently bought Read 'Em and Reap which seems to have alot of good information.

I am comfortable playing 200NL on line and will likely bring about $5k with me for gambling for the three day trip. Should I be thinking about playing 2/5NL live?

If I play in a tournament, is there any rules of thumb for how long they last? That should help me figure out how expensive a tournament to find.

Any other words of advice? For instance, common wisdom says to wait until it is your turn to act to look at your cards. That makes me nervous, I might rather look early when not all eyes are on me. Would it be a mistake for me to look early?

Thanks

[MediaPA]

don't worry so much about the 3x BB raise. Feel the table conditions out for what size raise is typical for opening a pot.

I might suggest sitting 1/2 just to get a feel for the live game. 1/2 games are pretty weak in general. If you feel comfortable, move up to the 2/5 game. Just play where you feel comfortable once you get in the game.

If you want to take a quick peek, go for it. The point in not looking is to see what other people do as they peek. Also, you minimize some potential 'tells' by not knowing your hand before it is your turn.

Try to take about the same amount of time when calling a bet. One basic tell that a lot of people believe in is the quick call = drawing hand. Just try to have fun, if things aren't running your way, don't be afraid to take a walk. Oh yeah, be patient.

[AKQJ10]

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don't worry so much about the 3x BB raise. Feel the table conditions out for what size raise is typical for opening a pot.

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Great advice. Agree 100%.

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I might suggest sitting 1/2 just to get a feel for the live game. 1/2 games are pretty weak in general.



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I was about to post this, then I saw you had. I would strongly suggest getting your feet wet in $1-2 or $1-3. Obviously if it's an unlimited buy-in game like the Wynn, don't put a large chunk of the $5k on the table at once. Start with $300 or so until you feel comfortable (assuming you're already an accomplished postflop player).

I have no doubt that a winning NL200 online player has the intellectual capacity to beat live $2-5 pretty handily. However, there's enough to get used to about the live game that a little time spent in $1-2 won't be in vain. $1-2 should be easy to beat without worrying about tells, but in some $2-5 games there may be enough players who can read you to require a bit of adjustment. Just try to be self-aware and bet your semibluffs and your good hands with the same motion, or intentionally mix up your motions and timing.

Just practice the same good bankroll management with your $5k that you have to build up your online BR and you'll be fine. If everyone's reading you like a book in $2-5, move down to $1-2 and practice a while before moving back up. Believe me, in the typical $1-2 game you could almost turn your cards over and still break even.

Brick and mortar poker is great fun! Just use some of these suggestions to curb boredom, and don't play more hands just because you can't 6-table. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]