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Poker Room Newbie

Discussion in 'The Poker Room' started by kentguy1964, Nov 19, 2016.

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  1. kentguy1964

    kentguy1964 Tourist

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    Hi Everyone. I am new here and would like some advice. I have visited Las Vegas on 5 occasions and am going on a 6th over the new year. Love the vibe of the place and would love to try the poker rooms but find the entrance daunting. So I have a few questions if anyone can help me with:

    1. Usually see a host at the entrance I assume this person will sit you at a table with the correct stakes?
    2. What are the lower end stakes?
    3. What are the most relaxed/friendly rooms so such a novice?
    4. what's the buy in amount for small tournaments.

    No doubt there will be more questions if some could point me to an idiots guide of how the rooms work, happy with how the game works but daunted by the rooms.

    Many Thanks
     
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  2. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    Following - I would love to hear the responses.
     
  3. gebruiker

    gebruiker High-Roller

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    I know that in most places they have poker lessons around 11-12 AM, at least at Excalibur & Luxor.
    Lower stakes NL: 1-2, limit: 2-4, 2-6 spread.
     
  4. David Grant

    David Grant Low-Roller

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    Try the 10:30 tournament at the Luxor. Nice game easy to play.
     
  5. xothan

    xothan Low-Roller

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    Anyone know of any poker lessons downtown? Would love to learn the basics...
     
  6. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    I heard recently that Golden Nugget had them but I am not certain.
     
  7. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    First, there is No reason to be scared / intimidated.

    Most poker rooms will have a "podium" where players are registered for the games available. Most rooms today have 2 types of games, limit or no limit. With limit games the betting is structured, meaning that the amounts of the bet's and raises are limited. With no limit, you can bet any amount you have in front of you at any time, however, what they do is "cap" ie limit, the amount of the buyin (usually 100 big blinds).


    The most popular starter games you will see are 2-4 limit, 3-6 limit. The small number is the amount of the bet pre-flop, and flop, and the bigger number the amount of the bet turn and river. In these games, you typically will buy in for $100 (1 rack of white chips)

    You will see no-limit at 1-3, 2-5 (blinds) and up.

    Most of the strip casino's with poker rooms will have multiple daily tournaments with lower buyins, you can inquire with the person manning the desk as to starting times, and amounts, and they will usually have printed flyers with the details.

    When you sit down to the game for the first time, tell the dealer you are new and they will help you out.

    I would recommend the Harrahs or Flamingo poker rooms for beginners.
     
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  8. kentguy1964

    kentguy1964 Tourist

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    thanks for the advice especially the in depth breakdown by mr. Stealth. Going to try a low limit game to start and maybe a low level tournament after that.

    Should be fun.
     
  9. tscradj

    tscradj Tourist

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    If you have any more questions don't be afraid to ask, I've been to vegas quite a few times and played in quite a few poker rooms!
     
  10. bribhoy

    bribhoy Low-Roller

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    Hi Kentguy,

    I certainly understand the nervousness as the very thought of a Las Vegas poker room can be intimidating if you've never played there, or have limited experience of live poker anywhere.

    I will take your questions and answer each in turn:

    1. Usually see a host at the entrance I assume this person will sit you at a table with the correct stakes?
    That's exactly right. You tell that person what game you want to play and they will seat you if there's an open seat, or add you to a waitlist if there isn't.

    2. What are the lower end stakes?
    As others have answered, NL $1/$2 and Limit $2/$4 are the lowest you will find. Usually, there will be a minimum buy in for No Limit of around 50 Big Blinds, so $100 at a 1/2 game. More usual to sit with 100 big blinds.

    3. What are the most relaxed/friendly rooms so such a novice?
    At the $1/$2 level, most tables are reasonably friendly. The stakes are usually too low to attract the shades and hoodie hustlers. There are always exceptions, but they will be easy to spot after a few hands at the table.

    4. what's the buy in amount for small tournaments.
    Buy-ins will start about $25 - $30 for very small tournaments and range up from there.

    Some additional information:

    When you sit down at first, you are going to be nervous. That is completely normal so don't go rushing into hands and trying to run big bluffs. Play tight for a little bit while the heart rate and adrenaline levels get back to somewhere near normal. Get used to the table dynamic and see how everyone else is playing. Once you're settled a little bit, you will have gathered lots of information and will be able to enjoy the game (assuming no bad beats!)

    If you don't like the vibe at the table, or find it unfriendly or more serious than you're comfortable with, you can ask for a table change or even just get up and cash out. It's your money and you don't need to spend it where you don't want to.

    In Las Vegas, I find the Bravo poker app very helpful. It provides full information on all the cash games running at every casino, and also shows all upcoming tournaments.

    Also, I know a couple of people recommend the limit game early on, because it reduces the size of your maximum loss in any one hand, but if you're looking to improve your overall game, then bear in mind that Limit plays completely differently from No Limit. The tournaments you enter will all be No Limit.

    Good luck,
    Bri
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2016
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  11. kps

    kps High-Roller

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    Harrah's would definitely fit and might I suggest Monte Carlo also. Binion's and Hard Rock had nice laid back games when I went during the WSOP in 2015 while Planet Hollywood during this trip was a player's paradise as long as you were patient at the table.
     
  12. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    The host at the podium is usually very friendly and a "people person". Sometimes I just take a glance at the board to see what games they're dealing and they invite me in and try to make me feel welcome. Like anywhere else, a few of the other players are jerks but mostly they are friendly tourists looking to have some fun at the lower levels or friendly tourists or locals looking to make some money and have some fun at the higher levels.

    My first time playing in Vegas was at Flamingo. It's a great thrill pulling in that first pot you take down.
     
  13. meyers67

    meyers67 VIP Whale

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    Poker rooms are really designed for those who know the basics, play in a home game, played as a kid, etc.

    One of the posters mentioned getting lessons. Although it's important to know how to play, it might be more productive to just google "poker" on the internet.
     
  14. 123drew

    123drew Newbie

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    1. Usually see a host at the entrance I assume this person will sit you at a table with the correct stakes?

    Yes

    2. What are the lower end stakes?

    1-2 No Limit, or 2-4 Fixed Limit
    No Limit is the style you see on TV where you can raise by any amount. 2-4 Fixed limit is restricted to raises of $2 on pre-flop and flop, and $4 turn and river

    3. What are the most relaxed/friendly rooms so such a novice?

    While not the nicest room I would suggest early morning at the Flamingo, 2/4 Limit game. From my experience this is mostly a locals room and this game has an older clientele. You will not find any crazy plays or anyone to aggressive usually. The dealers are friendly and will be more then willing to help you with any questions or concerns you have.

    4. what's the buy in amount for small tournaments.

    This is probably best to avoid, with small buy in tournaments you start with such few chips and the blinds increase so quickly it is impossible to play proper poker and it usually becomes a shove fest pretty quickly.
     
  15. Champster1

    Champster1 VIP Whale

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    You sound like me 12 years ago.;) I've attached a link https://www.bravopokerlive.com/venues/ that can help you identify by poker room .....
    A - What games (i e limit, no limit, seven card stud etc) are offered
    B - What the limits are ( i e 2-4 limit, 3-6 limit, 1-2 NL, 2-5 Nl etc)
    C - What games are going on now ( i.e. 2 - 4 limit 2 games and 5 people waiting, 1-2 NL 3 games going and 7 people waiting etc)
    D - Tourney info (i e times, Buy ins, Re buys allowed - yes/no etc)
    E - Special promos ( i e High hands, bad beats etc)
    F - Hourly comps offered or not ( with $ amount )
    G - A phone number to call to reserve a spot on the guest list (usually for an hour)
    H - How far the poker room is from where you are at that moment
    and
    I - other useful info.
    You can also download the Bravo Live App on your phone and have all that info at your fingertips. A must, IMHO, when you are in vegas! Hope this helps!!
     
  16. kentguy1964

    kentguy1964 Tourist

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    Thanks everyone for all the advice. Playing the game is not an issue it was the darkened entrance and not knowing what to expect. I think I will have a go at a tournament whilst I am there just to be able to say I have. Then it will be some low stakes limit play.
     
  17. IM ALL IN

    IM ALL IN High-Roller

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    My first time playing poker was Monte Carlo 10? yrs ago. Enjoyed the relaxed room. Everyone at the table understood I was a Newb. (There were only like 2 girls ever playing, including me) 2/4 Limit. They didn't have a bad beat payout, but they did/do award High Hand Bonuses. Got my first quad 4's, paid $240? the first day, then second day got quad K's, paid $500. I thought, oh,,,this game is FUN!!!...I think that's the most I won in live poker..I did try a $60 buy in same weekend,,and came 3rd if I can remember, but not in the money. It was fun, and yah, you do play differently in tourneys. Enjoy! I've given up the game years ago as I suck at Live Poker. I'm too impatient and want to play every hand.
     
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  18. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    I compare it to the first tee on a golf course. Once you get past the nervousness, you'll quickly find out that you are not as bad as you thought you were and there are many people who are worse. Stepping across that threshold is a big deal, but it's like seeing that pretty girl you like, if you don't make the effort, you'll never get to talk to her.

    As mentioned, I suggest you play a tight game for a while until you get a feel for the other players. There will always be jerks, but the vast majority of people are just there to have fun.

    Always slide the dealer a chip or two from a winning pot.
     
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  19. Champster1

    Champster1 VIP Whale

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    Breeze...That's about the best description i've ever heard for the newbie! Kudos!!;)
     
  20. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

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    A couple of additional things to keep in mind (I had to learn "the hard way" about this many years ago):

    If you're unfamiliar with play at a public card room, be sure that you become familiar with the concept of "table stakes." It's OK to ask the floorperson before you sit down as to what the ramifications are.

    Briefly, you must have all of the money that you are going to play for on the table in front of you for the whole game. You won't be able to go into your pocket for more money should you use up all your chips during a hand and want to continue to play. If this happens, you will be declared "all in" and will be eligible to win any amount that was in the pot before you bet your last chip. The other players will continue to play each other with their remaining stakes.

    So, if you're used to going for more money or playing "on the rim" in your home games, this won't be allowed in Las Vegas.

    You can go into your pocket between hands for more bills...just not during a hand. You also won't be allowed to remove chips from the table at all during the game. You'll have to cash out and leave your seat to do so.

    In the event that you should bet all of your chips and be "all in," DON'T FOLD YOUR HAND. Just protect your cards and wait for the dealer to tell you to turn them over. He will declare the winner and pay the winner his or her share. Be patient and don't get rattled.

    You'll also want to ask, at each casino, if "money plays." Some places will allow you to play with bills that you have on the table, some with only $100 bills, and at some you must exchange all of your bills for checks. It varies, so ask. Also, some places make you take the chip racks off of the table, and others don't.

    It sounds complicated and confusing, but if you ask the floorman in advance, you'll be much more comfortable and will be playing like a regular in short order.
     
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