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Old 11-28-2007, 04:15 PM
CyberKnobby CyberKnobby is offline
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Default First time Casino questions.

Hi everyone! I've been playing no-limit home games for about 4 months now and have gotten pretty good at the game. I try and play about 2-3 hours a day(in person, usually 6 handed) and am through harrington, theory of poker, and most of supersystem. I am to the point where my friends and thier friends are no longer challenging me, so I've decided to take my game to the 2-4 limit games at the casino near my house. The problem is that I'm incredibly nervous about the setting. Another thing is that I have not played much limit holdem, but it's all the local casinos offer(unless playing high stakes). I'm wondering what some of you more seasoned folks have to say about switching from quiet home games, playing against mostly familiar people, to a loud and colorful casino game. Any sugguestions for the switch, any casino nuances I should be made aware of?

Thanks for any advice!
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  #2  
Old 11-28-2007, 04:22 PM
KurtSF KurtSF is offline
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Default Re: First time Casino questions.

Check out the B&M Newbie Guide for lots of great tips.

Basically, don't sweat it and have fun. Any nervousness will eventually wear off after more trips. Good luck at the tables.
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  #3  
Old 11-28-2007, 04:30 PM
Albert Moulton Albert Moulton is offline
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Location: Live Full Ring NLHE
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Default Re: First time Casino questions.

[ QUOTE ]
I've been playing no-limit home games for about 4 months

[/ QUOTE ]

does not prepare you for this

[ QUOTE ]

...so I've decided to take my game to the 2-4 limit games at the casino near my house...


[/ QUOTE ]

Limit and no limit are very different games. You'll have to relearn a new game, basically. So read up on limit hold 'em before you go.

As for the other stuff, don't worry about any of it. Cardrooms are the least "loud and colorful" part of the casino. The players are usually pretty nice unless they feel like you put a bad beat on them.

Just try to watch for the norms that might not be present in your home game. Most winners tip the dealer (1 chip, or whatever). If you routinely stiff the dealer, then some players might give you a hard time about it. Most places let the blinds "chop" if the table folds to the small blind. If that's the case, then go along and "chop" when it happens. And don't take a long time in the "tank" to make a decision at limit like you do in no limit. It's generally OK to take a while over a decision in no limit, but it's frowned on in limit.
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  #4  
Old 11-28-2007, 06:05 PM
Small Fry Small Fry is offline
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Default Re: First time Casino questions.

Don't know how your home game plays but be prepared for "No fold'em hold'em" at the casino. Most of these players will be very bad. I've played 3/6 in casino's and have all 10 players take the flop.

Understand the local rules.

Limit is different than NL in respect to speed of the game. As a bet or raise is only one unit and can generally be small in relation to the pot size (Say it's 2/4 and 6 players see the flop for a raise. Pot will be $24 and the most a player can bet is $2) You don't need to go "into the tank" to think what you should do.

And don't be surprised to see my example hand happen routinely. So getting 12:1 to call can make a lot of calls correct.

This type of game can easily put a player on tilt. You cannot force players out like in NL. Heck, you generally cannot even give them incorrect odds to chase. All you can do is value bet and hope your made hand holds up or that your draw gets there. You will get paid off. But there will be times where it seems like no hand holds up and no draw ever comes in and you'll constantly lose to the "bad" players, chasing their gutshots to the river. Understand that you want them to chase and that this is just part of the game. Smile and congratulate them.

Most players at this level are just trying to have fun. THey aren't concerned with odds, or outs or anything that you've read in a book. THey're there for one reason. To get lucky. The more hands they play the luckier they can get. Or so they think. So don't try to talk to them about anything you've read or the mistakes they're making. Make small talk. Get them to like you and think you're a great guy. LEt them believe that you're a lucky player too. THis way they'll be happy to call your bets when they're drawing dead. Make it so it is enjoyable to lose to you. And they actually will.

Good Luck
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  #5  
Old 11-28-2007, 09:04 PM
pepitannikita pepitannikita is offline
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Default Re: First time Casino questions.

[ QUOTE ]
Most players at this level are just trying to have fun. THey aren't concerned with odds, or outs or anything that you've read in a book. THey're there for one reason. To get lucky. The more hands they play the luckier they can get. Or so they think. So don't try to talk to them about anything you've read or the mistakes they're making. Make small talk. Get them to like you and think you're a great guy. LEt them believe that you're a lucky player too. THis way they'll be happy to call your bets when they're drawing dead. Make it so it is enjoyable to lose to you. And they actually will.

[/ QUOTE ]

I do not have a LOT of experience but virtually ALL of my experience has been with $3-6 limit games in a casino.

I think the paragraph I have quoted above it worth its weight in gold.

I gave away a lot of chips when I was new. I was stupid and just didn't know any better and half the time didn't even realize my mistakes. I wasn't there for the "fun" of it, I really WAS trying to learn but along the way I "paid for lessons."

I remember being particularly distracted one night, all my play was off (which, being at my retardo level to begin with, I must have been playing like a chimpanzee). I glanced at my hole cards and thought I had pocket aces. Long story but when I flip over my cards it's not aces, it is an ace and a four. No biggie, I didn't have the set I thought I did which then turned into a boat. But I won the pot because my four made a straight flush. The guy berated me so badly about being so stupid and chasing to the river (which I am an easy-going old lady prone to self-deprecating humor anyway but extremely sensitive to anger, meanness and intimidation) and it hurt my feelings so much that I left the table so I wouldn't burst out into tears. And instead of moving tables, I just went home.

That saved me money and chips-- especially the big pot I had just won-- LOL. But those same chips probably would have ended up back in his or the rest of the players stacks had I stayed.

I always remember that, how I felt and what I did. Now, not only do I take care to never do that to other players (whose chips I am happy to take) but I try to make sure that the rude and arrogant jerks don't chase MY fish away from the table. So when some bumbling retardo player is getting "lessons" from a loudmouth telling him he didn't have the odds to call or whatever, I try to catch the eye of the fish and will roll my eyes or mumble about the "expert" down at the other end of the table. Something to make the fish feel better about him or herself or to deflect that attention away from him or her and back, in a negative but humorous way, upon the loudmouth.

Now I've made a buddy. LOL. And if he or she shows up again, it's only "natural" for me to sit at the same table and "remember" them with friendly words, etc. and when they're down, I try to encourage them with "Some days are like that" and when they're up, I say "Great. hope some of your luck rubs off on me" sorts of things. And they have told me things like "well, if I had to lose all my money, I'm glad it went to you" sorts of comments!

Don't know why I am going into this whole big thing. The guy whose paragraph I quoted said it much better. Just wanted to give you a glimpse from the other side of the coin that as one who has often donated more than her fair share of chips, I won't do it at a table where mean, beligerent hotshots are trying to insult me.

So the advice here given above is, I believe, very wise.
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  #6  
Old 11-28-2007, 09:25 PM
JJT JJT is offline
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Default Re: First time Casino questions.

Also, in limit, don't think you have to play your hand in the small blind because it's "just a couple more chips" (in 2/4 for instance).
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