| What
to Consider Before Sitting Down
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Page (Where to Play Poker)
What
Games are Offered
The first question you have to concern yourself with when sitting
down to poker in a casino poker room is, "What game(s) can
I play?" If the casino you walk into only offers 2-4 limit,
that is the only choice you'll have. So do the scouting before you
walk in by visiting the casino website for details, or calling the
poker room.
Generally
speaking, playing a low limit game for the first time just to get
your feet wet isn't a bad idea. However, bad play abounds at the
low level tables and you will end up getting beat by your fair share
of "River Rats" and "Calling Stations" who catch
just the right card to make a hand.
That
said, if you have the bankroll and the gumtion to move it up just
a bit, the 4-8 limit table is generally a good deal better and 6-12
limit usually has some fairly decent players. I tend to like playing
4-8 or 6-12 when I am looking for "entertainment poker"
as most players are solid enough to not call an inside straight
to the river, but the games are not nearly as difficult to beat
as some higher dollar tables. But Beware: If your knowledge of the
game isn't that strong, and you find yourself playing too many hands
and chasing, you can lose a good chunk of change very quickly playing
higher limits.
A few
other options for your first game play include a low level "No-Limit"
game, taking one of the various "Poker Lessons" offered
by many casinos, or trying your luck at a tournament. We'll take
each in turn.
If
you are the type of guy who wants the opportunity to move it "All
In" when you flop the Nuts, a decent option to start your poker
career is visiting a low dollar "No Limit" table. Many
casinos are now offering No Limit tables, but be sure to check both
the minimum and maximum buy in amount (it's nice to be able to buy
in for only $100, but that isn't such a great deal if everyone else
at the table bought in for $1000.) As
of this writing (06/06) the Luxor offers an excellent little $50
minimum and maximum buy in "No Limit" table with $1 and
$2 blinds that will give you the thrill and general feel of playing
NL Hold'em, but without the big hit on your wallet if you "Go
Broke."
If
the risk of NL isn't quite your style most all casinos now offer
an early morning and early evening tournament on the weekdays for
a flat buy in fee. These can range from about $20-100, but offer
you a way to get the feel of playing "live poker" without
risking a huge amount of real cash. These tournaments do vary widely
so be sure to check the rules of the game (limit v. no limit, blinds,
starting chips, etc...) before you buy-in. (Warning:
Tournaments with unlimited rebuys and/or add ons can end up costing
quite a bit more than games with no or one time rebuys and no add-ons.)
The
final starting option I would recommend is taking a poker lesson
in the casino. Most locations offer some sort of instruction (usually
mid-morning to mid-afternoon) and will provide you with a general
overview of the game, and will sit you down along with other novices
and walk you through step by step as they discuss and model how
to play the game. This option is great for the complete beginner,
but players with a good deal of home game experience, or who have
played online will likely be a bit bored by the lengthy discussion
of "What a Blind is" or the "difference between a
raise, a bet, and a call." One other advantage of the lesson
however, is at many casinos, after the lesson, all attendees are
able to play a super low-limit game to get their feet wet. These
games are often $.50-$1 or $1-$2 games that the casino does not
offer to the general public.
Is
There a Wait to Play
This isn't always a concern, but if you plan on heading out for
the first time on Friday night, or over a holiday weekend, you may
find the casino, and by extension the poker room, slammed full.
If you walk into the casino mid-day Tuesday, you probably won't
have a worry, but on the weekends and holidays, it is always a good
idea to call ahead to the poker room and put your name on the list
before you leave the room. (Not every casino will allow this but
it is worth the few minutes to make the call and check so you don't
find yourself sitting wasting an hour on the slots blowing your
bankroll before you even sit down at the table.)
How Fast and Friendly are the Games
This isn't an easy thing to really discern, but it does make a bit
of difference when you sit down for the first time. Slower, friendlier
games are a bit easier for the novice to feel comfortable in, and
they add the benefit of less hands played (less rake, less opportunities
to make the bad plays you invariably make as a novice).
Anecdotally,
I've found that games on the Stip in Vegas tend to be slower (and
a good deal friendlier) than the games played downtown or at the
"locals casinos." Also, I've found the pace at night,
especially on the weekends, to be slower than at the same casino
during the day.
Here's
why this seems to hold true. At the Strip Casinos, you tend to have
large numbers of tourists who aren't necessarily the most exceptional
players. These folks often forget to post blinds, don't realize
it is their turn to act, or are just otherwise a bit "slow"
to respond. As most of the casinos tend to want to keep the folks
there, the dealers are not very stern in reminding the player to
post and act, and as such the pace of the game is slowed considerably.
Couple this with the fact that the tourists are often drinking heavily
and gabbing it up with neighbors (why weekend and night games are
even slower), and these games are not too fast or rough to keep
up with.
As
to the Downtown and Locals Casinos, these are a bit more dagerous
and unfriendly for the tourist sitting down for his first time.
The "Locals" spots, (e.g. Texas Station, Cannery, Arizona
Charlies, Sams Town) tend to have a crowd of "regulars"
that patronize the spot and they are not often nearly as welcoming
to the "New Guy" at the table. This added to the fact
that many of these regulars play poker several times a week, and
are often tight conservative players, makes them a poor choice for
your first game.
The
Downtown Casinos are similarly bad in my opinion. Though the thrill
of playing at Binions Horseshoe may be a kick, the wild antics of
the crowd that plays there will likely not leave a good taste in
your mouth. I'm not knocking all downtown poker rooms, but from
my personal experience, downtown attracts a good deal more "unsavory"
characters who take pride in playing low limit games and raising
every hand, buying short and moving all in often, or doing other
things at the table to prove themselves a nuisance.
What is the Setting
The setting in the poker room will often coincide quite a bit with
whether it is a "friendly" game, or whether the game is
all business. You can do a good deal of research online as most
casino sites have pictures of the poker room or write-ups of the
amenities, and choose what is right for you. Rooms with lots of
TVs tend to slow games down and make them a bit more friendly as
your neighbor may well have a wager on the NBA finals and split
his time and attention between the two. Some rooms also face the
casino, play loud music, or even offer massage therapists to players.
All of these have some impact on the game and are worth your time
to consider.
Are There any Bonuses or Freebies
Check when you put your name on the list or buy in for chips whether
the casino offers any promotions for your play. Some casinos will
swipe your players card and you'll accrue points, some offer a freeroll
tournament after a certain number of hours played. Many casinos
now also offer "Bad Beat Jackpots" and promotional jackpots
for "Big Hands." Regardless of the promo, make sure you
know what you are entitled to receive, and if you've put in the
time at the table take the benefit associated with doing so.
Is
There Anything Else That Matters to Me
This could be any of a number of things, but if something
is important when you play, make sure to ask or find out in advance.
If you need space for a wheelchair, a room with a strict no smoking
policy, or a location that offers any other random amenity, be sure
to ask.
Get
on With It
Now that you've done the requisite planning, and have your list
made, it's time to head to the casino...
Heading
to the Casino...
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