First time to play live poker

[cRazyNHouSton]

I am going to Vegas next week and this will be my first time to play "live" poker. I would appreciate any suggestions as to where to play, and any useful suggestions. I would like to play in low limit $20-$80 sit n go's or tournaments. I play very low limits online in ring games (NL), but I do want to get some real life "live" playing, just a little worried about being the obvious fish at the table!!

Thank you,

Toni

[that_pope]

SNGs are hard to find around town. As for cheap tourneys, look at the Sahara, Planet Hollywood, or Imperial Palace daily tourneys...www.allvegaspoker.com has more info on them.

Also try some 2/4 limit at almost any casino on the strip. With half a brain and some patience, you should be one of the better players in the game.

Good luck!

[Photoc]

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I am going to Vegas next week and this will be my first time to play "live" poker. I would appreciate any suggestions as to where to play,

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Sit at my table. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

But seriuosly, play where you're comfortable. Every game is virtually the same in a tourist town. The players sitting there today, won't be the same ones sitting there when you get there. Unless you're playing at the Orleans or similar. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Durs522]

This thread in the sticky is a great read for first time players.

[cRazyNHouSton]

Thanks for the info and thread!!

[michelmichel]

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This thread in the sticky is a great read for first time players.

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Hi,
I'm in the same situation (going to Vegas soon to play live poker in a casino for the first time), and of course I read the thread in the sticky for B&M card room noobs, as well as countless other posts here over the last couple of months (lots of stuff about weird situations at the table, how to behave when something unexpected happens, rules , read tons of trip reports too..).

I still have a couple of questions for which I didn't find an answer:
- When you're playing CG and you need to take a break (smoke, bathroom, snack, whatever..), what happens exactly? I figure you just let the dealer know that you'll be sitting out for the next few hands and leave your chips on the table, but are you blinded out? If not, how long can you stay gone, since you're occupying a seat without generating any rake, I guess the casino wouldn't want you to stay away for too long...?
- What's the job of the chip runner exactly? I keep reading about them in various posts, and have no idea what they do, or when they come into play...?

I'm probably overthinking this, and I guess the staff in any given casino would probably explain this to me, but if anyone here cares to do it, it'd really be appreciated.

By the way, I can't beleive I've been lurking the 2+2 forums for that long without checking out B&M sooner: most trip reports are great reads (some are hillarious...), posts about the rules often turnout being really interesting, I'm actually hooked to this place now. It's the first one I check whenever I log on 2+2...

[Repsychler]

If I'm playing and I need to step away from the table, I just step away from the table. No need to explain yourself to the dealer, if you're not there they just won't deal you in. They don't take blinds from you, but if you miss a blind you'll have to post when you come back.
I've seen people buy into a game, play two hands and then disappear for two hours, and no one really said anything. I guess if I needed to step out for more than a bathroom/tilt break, I'd ask the dealer or floor about leaving my chips there.

The chip runner....runs chips. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] They'll get your chips for you from the cage when you're at the table.

[Patcho]

ask the dealer for the bathroom pass.

[Mygtar]

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When you're playing CG and you need to take a break (smoke, bathroom, snack, whatever..), what happens exactly? I figure you just let the dealer know that you'll be sitting out for the next few hands and leave your chips on the table, but are you blinded out? If not, how long can you stay gone, since you're occupying a seat without generating any rake, I guess the casino wouldn't want you to stay away for too long...?


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Cash games you can get up whenever to smoke, eat, pee, etc. You do not get blinded out when you are gone, but will have to post the blinds you missed (if any) when you return. I think you have 3 orbits before they can rack you up and put someone else at your seat. I have yet to see this, and it may change from room to room. Also be careful if 2 others have already left the table because some rules have a Be careful is 2 others have left the table already as some rooms have a "3rd man walking rule." In which case you have only 10 minutes before they rack you up. Every room is different so if you have questions ask the floor or your dealer.

A chip runner will get your chips for you when you first sit down so you do not have to go to the cashier's cage. Some rooms have them and some do not. If the room has a chip runner you sit down the chip runner will take your buy-in and go to the cage. If you want to play immediately the dealer will give you chips from the table tray and you will need to pay them back when you get your chips. Please feel free to tip the chip runner. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

And yes feel free to talk to the staff in the poker room that is what they are there for. Everyone has to start somewhere so don't be embarrassed.

Best of luck at the tables,
Mygtar