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Poker question - beginner

Discussion in 'The Poker Room' started by DonnyC, Oct 4, 2012.

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  1. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Hey all,

    I play a bit of poker and am the best out of all my friends...not bragging, there are a million players better than me.

    My next trip might be my last for a while as we are hoping to try for kids.

    I got to Vegas with my brother, not a poker player. Next trip I am determined to play poker $1/2 NL, for a minimum but in,maybe $50.

    I don't want to ditch my bro do I would like to buy in for him also. I get poker etiquette - if you win a big pot not to bugger off right away...at least fold the next few hands before leaving.

    I jut want to at for the novelty and maybe a small win. But if my bro busts early I will leave soon behind.

    Where can we play, preferably same table (though I won't team)?

    How do I leave the table appropriately if he busts soon and I have just won a few pots?

    Any suggestions of poker rooms (downtown, or strip) based on what I am looking for?
     
  2. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    you're going to be way underfunded at a 1/2 NL table with $50. 300 is more where you want to start for that game. just leave whenever you want.
     
  3. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Maybe a tourney is more what I should be looking at.

    I don't mind, and enjoy playing from behind as short stack!
     
  4. NeonTurtle14

    NeonTurtle14 I Run the Vegas Hotdog Stand

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    If you both want to play at the same table, you should pick one of the less crowded rooms. Luxor, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, Flamingo, Imperial Palace.... should all be good for that.

    No worries about leaving right behind him if he gets knocked out, even if you just won a pot or have only been playing for 3 minutes. People do it all the time.
     
  5. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Sort of surprised people are saying 'leave whenever'. I know that just folding a few hands and then leaving amounts to the same thing, but from my experience people seem to like rant more.

    Flamingo is usually our home base, except for 1 night down town...so maybe that is a good place.
     
  6. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    Buy In:
    The $50 buy in will be OK for most poker rooms.

    There are some that will buy in for as much as they can and others that will buy in for as little as they can... both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

    Leaving the Table:
    This one is a toughie... on one hand etiquette says to show courtesy and respect to other players and if you win a big pot to give them at least a chance to win their money back. On the other hand some people really can't play with a big stack in front of them and once you've won it, then it is your money and maybe you don't feel like putting it at risk.

    Personally, I like playing where I buy in for a mid to low sized stack and then build it up so this situation doesn't really come up for me - I like beating people with their own money.

    But what has come up is where I might decide that I am going to play one more orbit and then on one of the last hands or two before I am in the blinds I win a big pot... in that case I don't have a problem with getting up because when I am going in to my last orbit I always pause before posting my blind and say something like "I should probably be going... but I am going to play one more orbit" so I have already announced my intention to leave.

    Playing Together:
    I can't say much here: I've never gone to play poker with somebody and wanted them at the same table as me... so don't know if you can just ask to be seated at the same table or not.
    But you can check the poker rooms board and see if they are starting to form a table. Like if they have a bunch of open tables that nobody is playing at and they have your game listed with 2 people on the waiting list and the two of you join then they might seat the four of you at a new table.

    But as an alternative: you could look for a room that has one table sit and goes and if there are two or more open spots both of you can join the table.

    Or: if you are up and about earlier in the morning some casinos offer poker room lessons. You can go down and sign up and you'll be seated at the same table to go through the lessons and then once the lessons are over the table goes live.
     
  7. Eldon

    Eldon Low-Roller

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    Check on-line (AllVegasPOKER) to see which poker rooms offer a minimum buy-in to suit your bankroll.

    Check (AVP) to see which rooms in the area you want to play have the weakest competition.

    Goto that poker room and if you find a table with two open seats you're set.

    Leave anytime you want to. It's your money and your time.
     
  8. booker

    booker VIP Whale

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    This is the truth! (Some places like Bellagio & Red Rock, $200 is the max for 1/2 NL.)

    What will you do if you have J-J on the button, two people limped for $2, cut off raises to $12? Do you Call? Push? Fold? And if you call and one of the blinds makes it $35 … what then?

    Remember, if you are on the button with J-J and are tight, in one orbit if you fold from the blinds, you now have only $47.
     
  9. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    If you want to leave a table, leave. If your friend busted, just explain that to the other players. Or tell them ahead of time, if you've got the time.

    I've often played poker in vegas on a deadline...I've got to meet my wife for dinner at 6, so I'm getting up from the table at 5:30, whether I'm ahead or behind. It's vegas...there's ettiquette, but everybody understands that everybody else is on a different schedule.

    And if they're unhappy, screw em. You're not running to avoid playing -- you have a friend who you need to go with.
     
  10. PopMegaphone

    PopMegaphone VIP Whale

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    I recommend switching to 2-4 limit poker at MGM. A 50 dollar buy-in is fine and you won't have to worry about busting out so quickly. You'll also play with a lot of beginners just like yourself. Order a comp'd beer and enjoy yourself.
     
  11. g-didi

    g-didi Low-Roller

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    I play poker along with my boyfriend. When we sign up for a seat we are often asked if we want to be seated together. Usually I dont care - if there are two seats ready then I will take them regardless of table.

    If you want to sit together - ask. If you are at different tables ask the floor for a table change to that table your brother is on. Just explain what you want. (If a seat comes available they will move you to that table and then fill your seat with the next in line.) The worst they will say is no, but I see no reason for this to happen as often tables have groups of friends playing without hassle.... just dont collude or obviously soft play each other.

    Also if people know you are together and one of you busts, most will see that your friend is gone and I would expect you wouldnt be far behind. So just tell the dealer you are out. Wish everyone luck and take your chips to the cage.
     
  12. PopsOLA

    PopsOLA Low-Roller

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    Leaving after winning a pot is rude, but happens more often then not. I remember when I started I won a few big hands and stayed afloat when I figured people would be upset when I got up and left. Then 2 of the "regulars" won big hands and quickly left and no one griped so I decided to follow suit.

    $50 buy in is OK. A lot of people at 1/2 buy in under $100. Just expect to be pushed around often because players will look at it like they have a small risk if they are playing with a $500 stack and you are sitting with a $50 stack. Even if they call they are risking $50 max to call you all the way out. You will see a lot more calls to your raises. (IE: someone with A-3 may call your 3x raise, assuming if you catch an A and have a higher kicker they are only risking $50, however if you had $200 they wouldn't want to be stuck betting the entire way to be outkicked)

    I would recommend $100-150 buy in. You don't have to play it all but at least when you have the nuts you can call.

    Tourneys are good bets if you find a good structure one. Only downside is you can't get up if your brother loses early. You have to play through.
     
  13. Dewey089

    Dewey089 VIP Whale

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    I never announce my leaving. I pack up my chips, say a polite, "Nice playing with you," and go. I might leave because I have to be somewhere, or the table is short players, or I'm tired, or I just suddenly feel uncomfortable.
    I often leave to play at a different table after taking a bathroom break and checking out other tables. I often play limit and table selection is probably the most important strategy of the game.
    Joining and leaving is just part of the game.
    Poker collects some of the most unhappy people in the universe, people who can't escape the idea that randomness is a personal affront to their sense of justice and many blame other players for whatever they can find to bitch about. There are plenty of people who play poker in order to enjoy their role as victim.
    So there is always someone at a poker table whining about something, including what we decide: the way we play any two cards, where our cards are, any time we might take to make a decision, or questions we might ask a dealer, etc. Any whining about leaving is the easiest to handle because we are gone before the whiners have time to be annoying.
    If you have won money, it is now yours. If you have lost money, it is now theirs.
    The idea that they somehow have a right to an opportunity to take your winnings back is ridiculous. Their opportunity comes with those sitting at the table and dealt in the hand.
    Just get up and go when you want.

    ********
    I'd be less than satisfied with a $50 buy in. I watched a game for over half an hour a few months ago and then bought in for $100 when I saw the position I wanted open up.
    My first hand I ended all-in and lost.
    Too short gaming for that bankroll.
    But then I prefer limit where the money allows for a few free beers and a few hours of comps before it ever goes away.

    ****

    I often play at the same table as poker buddies from home. We like the shared experiences, like seeing the hands and having the stories, like at times to tease one another.
    Asking for a table change to sit with a friend is common and usually accomodated. A good floor manager will look out for you and accomodate your wishes. However, often you will see an open seat before they do, or your buddy might signal you that someone is leaving.
    Try to ask quietly and away from your table. It is always easier if the person moving is on a full table and moving to one that is less than full. I ask with all the details,
    "I'm over on table 60 and it is a full table. I'd like to go to that new game that just opened up on table 45. Is that okay?"
    Ask the floor manager, the person walking about watching the play and the table numbers, not the dealer or the person you gave your name to for the initial list for seats. In fact, often a dealer when my buddy signals me of an opening, will tell me that I can't just move. The dealer wants to keep players. Just say, "Thanks," and get the permission of the floor manager. A long conversation with a dealer on the issue of moving may mean you miss your new seat.
    Once you have permission, take a card protector or a couple chips, or a player's card and "lock up" the new seat by placing that item on the table in front of your new seat and see that the dealer knows you are coming.
    Then you have time to move chips, coats, drinks, etc. without some new player jumping in the new seat ahead of you.
    You may have to post when you move or wait for the button to roll around for the regular occuring blinds. Letting the button roll around gives you some time to observe before putting your money at risk.
     
  14. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    About the $50: the others are right, that just isn't enough to play properly. It will force you to make major decisions too early in the hand, and even if you do catch a really big hand it will limit what you can make off of it.

    If that's the most you're willing to play for, look for a tournament. Which will also sort out your leaving question.

    As for when to leave a table, don't sweat it too much. Taking a pot and then walking right out might annoy a few people, but if you are legitimately leaving for another reason (like your brother being knocked out), you should never feel obliged to stay just because you won.

    As for how to leave, if you don't have many chips, get up and go. If you have a lot, go find a rack and start to load up.

    Usually when I'm leaving, I'll play out my "free" hands and then leave just before the big blind gets to me. If you are involved in that last hand, make sure the dealer knows you won't be in the next one.
     
  15. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    That doesn't bother me.

    If I have JJ I will make a read on what is showing and what I believe other people to have. Often I am not even playing my cards, I play the community cards (whatever I can get you to believe I have...I have).

    With JJ, someone raises to 12 preflop (gonna see a flop), probably wouldn't with pair of nines. Then based on what is flopped, turned or river'd, I'll make my play or fold.

    I don't get married to my cards, I don't mind folding, I don't mind pressing the action (even if it means all in as short stack)..timed aggression.

    When sitting short stack i don't have a maximum limit that I am going to call, otherwise you have predetermined how much is going to buy you off a pot.


    And in the end, I just want the experience of playing poker in Vegas.
     
  16. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    But the other thing you have to think about is that with $50, you pretty much can't bluff. If I raise to $12 and you pop it to $50 but have nothing behind -- I'm probably calling. You can use that to your advantage if you've got AA or KK. But if you've got AK and I've got a pair of nines, we're going to flip it up for your entire buy in. Because I just don't care enough about $50 to be worried.
     
  17. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    I hear what you are saying, but that is ok with me.

    People have no history on me. I'm going to have to play it tight and only play on what I think are good hands, that means that I am going to fold some good starting hands (that could maybe catch a card, but might not), and there are going to be times when that hand would have caught a card...that doesn't bother me either. I liken it to having good cards that you play and then getting beaten out on the river. You just aren't going to win every hand in poker.

    As I play it tight people are going to assume I at least have a faint idea of what poker is. They will either assume that a raise by me is a weak bluff or a good hand, and as I don't have that much...they will call. But I know that I am only raising on a good hand.

    If it means I am in a coin toss for my entire buy-in...ok.


    I just really don't mind playing as short stack, have done so with people I know and a group of strangers, and feel good about knowing how to play as short stack. My brother, on the other hand is the beginner (and only going to play so that I can - we are going together and want to spend time together) so he could bust out soon either way.
     
  18. PopsOLA

    PopsOLA Low-Roller

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    When you fold every hand ... all player will know you are waiting for the nuts. It's not hard seeing when a person sits with $50 and plays tight. When calls you know they have a big hand and chances with any hand winning is not 100%. Most players will call even against your good hands because the threat of $50 just isn't enough not to chase. Someone has low suited cards will easily call your cards 90% of the time. Flop comes and they catch ANYTHING and prepare to push.

    Just with a short stack like that, it's not going to be easy to play your game right. Unless you are the type that pushes often preflop then most of the time it will turn out bad for a shortstack.
     
  19. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    Have your brother play 2-4 limit, and teach him how to play tight. It will last longer.
     
  20. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    I absolutely count on all of that. Unlike most poker players, what you have described is exactly what I want. It only takes 1 win like that and then of course strategy changes as I now have some chips, that I didn't but, and that I am in the profit already!

    I know that 1 bad hand and I am done, and it happens...but not usually - for me.

    As said previously, I like starting as short stack, it works for my play.
     
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