Beginning 1/2 NL grinding in Vegas

[grasshopper22]

I've been playing NL online for the last two years and moved to vegas a couple months ago with the intention of playing live cash games for a living. I've saved up 1500 to get me started in the 1/2 games and I have a table waiting job to back me up. I just wanted to get advice from the locals that have already cut their teeth playing 1/2nl live in vegas.

My general strategy is raising up big cards and big pairs preflop to isolate against 1-2 players, and limping connecters and small pairs and going for the implied odds of hitting the sets, flushes straights etc against the fish that overplay their hands.

I've mainly been playing at Mirage but I was wondering where peoples favorite places and times to play are. Is it possible to get rated and comp'd anywhere for 1/2nl?

Any general advice and pitfalls to avoid I'd appreciate.

[Packard]

Try the Venetian 1/2 NL. Full of suckers and you get comped a little for playing.

[daveT]

study more.

[Leibniz]

My advice is to get that bankroll increased as soon as possible. You only have about 7 buy-ins and that could go quickly with a downswing. The Excalibur spreads a 1/3 NL game which is generally pretty juicy and they bring food out to the players around diner time (hot dogs, hamburgers, etc.). Game selection is pretty generous at that level. Most 1/2 NL games will be fishy enough to grind out a living. If you play at Stations Casino or Coast Casino properties, you can generally get comp dollars for every hour you play. I heard the games at the Palms are pretty good with lots of action. But again, the biggest piece of advice is to get a proper bankroll, you want to have 15-20 buyins if you want to play professionally, so that means about $3000 - $4000 to play with, so that you don't go broke. I moved away from Vegas a year ago, so hopefully what I told you still applies.

Good Luck!

[Dynasty]

As far as comps go, you can get a buffet ticket at the Mirage a couple times a week. You just need to play 3+ hours in a day. You have to ask the floor manager to get it.

Places like the Venetian actually have a player card which gets you comped $1/hour.


The primary strategy for 1-2 no-limit is "make a hand, bet it, and get paid off".

[ThaHero]

I'd really get that bankroll up asap. Especially playing for a living, you want more buy-ins than a normal recreational player.

And keep reading and studying. This is something I didn't do and it hurt my game a lot. Keep a journal for poker if you have to.

[grasshopper22]

which book would apply the best for playing low stakes NL live? I've all the "must read" poker books and i'm a cardrunners member. But if I was going to reread something to sharpen my game, what would apply? other than caro's book of course.

[rafiki]

ok well the 1/2 game at Imperial is absolutely ridiculously soft. If there's a softer game during the drinking hours, I don't know of it.

But as everyone said, you're massively jumping the gun with your roll and even probably your skill level. Sounds like you're taking a much too simplistic strategic view of things.

Can you beat the 1/2 game online at all ? I mean if you can break even at that you'll crush the IP game. But if you're a net loses at the 1/2 game online, it's not time to go at this with any kind of ambition...

[steamboatin]

[ QUOTE ]
But if you're a net loses at the 1/2 game online, it's not time to go at this with any kind of ambition...

[/ QUOTE ]

He has a job. He gets a new bankroll every payday.

[rafiki]

ya I also just re-read and saw "I've been playing NL online for the last two years "

Ya you can beat the IP game. go for it.