Table Games Determined to try table games this trip- what to play and where?

So I've been to Vegas a bunch of times now, and always just stuck to slots and VP. I've downloaded a couple of apps to my phone on strategy for blackjack so I was thinking I might try that, and I was also curious about craps. I'm staying downtown this trip so I'm wondering if one casino downtown is better than another for table games? Besides the apps any other recommendation on reading on how to play table games?

Thanks in advance. I'm solo this trip so I'm determined to try some new things.

 

Well I'd definitely check out the sticky thread on "So you want to play craps". Lots of great info. once you play and see how much fun the interaction with others is you will be hooked. It is a fast paced game for sure but if you are downtown you will have no problems with any of the dealers helping you out. Good luck and enjoy your stay.

 

First table game that I learnt was pai gow poker. It's a nice, slow sociable game that I can play for hours.

Good breakdown and strategy is on the wizard of vegas site

 

Thanks, I've been reading the craps threads and the blackjack strategy one. I'm slightly type A so I like to be prepared.

I've seen pai gow at MSS I know. I will check out the wizard of vegas. Thanks.

 

The first time I went to Vegas i was 22 or 23. I met a girl i had dated before and we were still friends, We stayed at CC. We went to a local casino ( i believe it was GC-but not sure) and met her aunt who lived in Vegas. I sat down at a BJ table and was never more nervous in my life. I made a lot of mistakes and the locals let me know it ! Very intimidating ! I played BJ the next four or so trips and was an ok basic strategy player, But usually after too many cocktails and bad math skills it would turn ugly. I found Let it ride and have been playing ever since. My opinion is that that would be a good game to get the feeling of a table at least. The odds aren't that great, but you have a shot at winning big. I have at least broken even over my years of playing (hit 2 four of a kinds in one weekend). It is sooo simple and if you play VP you know poker hands. I have played on phone apps and computer programs over the years that i'm sure you can find it.

Hope that helps
-Chrisby

 

I learned BJ and craps downtown, but am not at all an expert, just know enough to have a good time. You can learn a lot of the BJ basic strategy by those apps and online games. Then it's just the individual table etiquette, are you allowed to touch/pick up the cards or not, etc. Observing the table for a minute before sitting down can inform that. The other thing to know is that in BJ you have to affirmatively make a gesture or move with your hand to signal 'hit' 'stand' 'double' etc. The camera/eye-in-the-sky can't hear you so the signals/gestures are key.

For craps i just told the guy that i was a rookie but wanted to play the pass line and put down odds. He dialed me in quickly. I did take a free 'intro to craps' lesson, i think at the Golden Nugget...

 

If you sit down at a $5 BJ table, the fact that you are already thinking about it means you won't be the worst player that sits down there. If you have questions, ask. If your dealer is kind of a dick about it, move tables until you get one that isn't. Usually if you show you're willing/want to learn, they'll help you out.

 

I would recommend spending an afternoon at the Golden Gate. Walk up to one of the craps tables. Put $5 on the pass line and grab a drink form the cocktail waitress. If you want to keep it simple just stay with your pass line bet and watch everyone around you. With a good cocktail waitress and a little you should be able to have a fun afternoon on the cheap.

Have a great trip. I am sure you will be hooked in no time.

 

Pai Gow is okay for a first timer, but if you're more of a Blackjack person the Dealertainer pit at the Quad is great. The dealers are laid back, friendly, and very helpful; it really helps to kill the intimidation factor.

 

My suggestion for a 'first-time' table-game player would be 3-card poker.
Plenty of $5 tables are available - which means either $10 or $15 bet each hand...still, small enough that won't get killed.
Place $5 on the 'Ante' circle and $5 on the 'Pair Plus' circle.
Your only decision is whether or not to "play". If you are dealt Q-6-4 or better, math says to play. If you're playing, place another $5 on the "Play" box and tuck your cards (even just a corner of them) under the 'Play' bet.
You will either beat the dealer, lose to the dealer or push on a dealer 'non-qualifier' (jack high or less).
Just don't forget your straights & flushes! I've had to remind players, from time to time, that they have a flush...and (more rarely), that they have a straight.

For blackjack, I recommend finding a $5 6-deck shoe early in the day. You don't touch your cards - everything is hand signals, or indicated by doubling your bet (for double-downs & splits). Let the dealer know it's your first time - most of the time, they will be patient with you and help you with the right decision on most hands... nothing at all wrong with asking the dealer "What do you think?". They will typically answer with "the book says_____" (hit or stand or double or split).
I have noticed that dealers never tell you when the correct play is to surrender (when surrender is available). So - easy to remember rule is this: if you have a two-card hard 15 or 16 against a dealer's 9, 10 or ace, then surrender (except for 8-8, which you would split). It's not perfect, but you will come out ahead versus playing those hands.
I would suggest buying in for $100 and flat-bet $5 a hand until you feel comfortable.

Craps is a LOT of fun, but really does move very quickly.
I learned to play at the Westward Ho's 50-cent minimum table way back in the day - it was early-shift and I was the only player. The crew was great in teaching me the "ways of the table" and how to make bets. Within an hour, I felt comfortable enough to play at "real" crap tables.
You probably can't find 50-cent craps anymore, but you should be able to find a $3 table somewhere.

As mentioned above, Let-it-Ride is also an easy 'no-brainer' table game. Most of them now have the 'Pair Plus' bonus bet, which works the same way as 3-card poker's.

Pai Gow is a nice, slow game...but it takes some folks a bit of practice to know how to split up their cards. Have a good feel as to proper play-strategy before sitting down for this one.

Best of luck & have fun!

 

Wizard of Odds for strategies on any game.

If you make it to the strip hit up Margaritaville for some Mississippi stud!! I made $1600 on a $10 wager this past weekend...pops made $2000 on a $5 wager last November in the same seat...third in from dealer’s right

 

3 card poker was my first table game and it is indeed very easy to "master."

However, if you play the six-card bonus bet at CET properties you are potentially losing $20 a hand, even at a $5 table. The six-card bonus bet is mathematically not a good bet, but everyone does it.

You can play a long time with $100 at Let It Ride, especially if you don't play the three-card bonus bet (which does not have particularly good odds, but again, you'll be the only one at the table not playing it). The pace is leisurely and if your playing companions and the dealer are fun, it's an enjoyable and not too costly way to play.

 

Sorry--I missed that you were staying downtown, so you won't need to worry about CET's six-card bonus bet. You're staying at MSS, which is a great place to start playing table games, by the way.

 

No problem. I really like MSS, so I may start there and then work my way down Fremont towards El Co.

Thanks all. I've been pouring over the Wizard of Odds site, so much information there but it's been very helpful.