Advice for live (casino) cash game

nabmom

nabmom

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I'm hoping to head to Maryland Live this weekend. The casino just started up live table games. So poker is new to this casino and so am I (I've never played poker in a casino).

I know nothing about casino etiquette and how to get set to play a table game of hold'em. I'm not even sure if there's only cash games there or if they've started up tournaments. I'm specifically interested in how things are in a casino, not in home game issues.

So I have loads of questions and would really appreciate any advice you can offer a casino virgin!

  • There's no cash at the tables. How do you buy chips? I think you get some sort of money card and use that. But do you buy chips at the table or at some window?
  • How much money should you by in for (I'll be playing the lowest cash game I can sit at, but I have no idea what tables they'll have going)?
  • Do you usually have to sign up for a table (is there some sort of poker director who tells you where to sit?)?
  • What's the etiquette if I hate my table or the guy to my left, etc., and want to change tables?
  • I've played a small number of live home games and I know to keep my cards on the table, look at my cards carefully so I don't show accidentally, probably will bring some sort of card protector so it's clear I'm not mucking, not string bet, and announce my intentions clearly. Are there other "unwritten" rules about behavior at the table?
  • Is there a standard approach to tipping the dealer? How often? Only when I win a big pot? Do I throw in another tip when leaving the table?
  • Do you ever have SnGs at a casino?
Any other pointers anyone wants to throw in, please do!
Thanks,
 
XXPXXP

XXPXXP

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my first time to live...not that bad

my advice is , as being to a new environment, just sitting on the table , feel the table dynamic first, do not hurry to bet or raise, pay some blinds to see, who is shark, who is lag, who is station, etc.

and live game is very very slow paced, about about average 3 minutes or 3 minutes and half a hand, not like live...so if you are accustomed to any multi-tabling, or tag style, better get prepared about how to dealing with card dead!

I brought a paper note, and drawing pictures....to dealing with boredom...LOL
 
OzExorcist

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Some of the specifics will change depending on the casino, but here goes:

- When you turn up there's usually a sign-up desk / person / table / whatever where you tell them what game you want to play. At my casino they give you a ticket with the table number on it if there's a seat open, or will take your number and let you know when there's a seat available if there's a wait list. Wander into the poker room and if you can't immediately see where to sign up just ask one of the staff.

- When you first turn up to play, if you're playing a cash game then you'll probably be buying your chips from the cage / buy in desk before you take your seat. Again, ask the staff if you can't immediately see where that is.

- Whether or not you can buy MORE chips at the table depends on the casino. At my local casino you can just give the dealer cash for more chips but I've played at others where you have to go back to the cage. Just ask the dealer if in any doubt, or observe what other people are doing.

- If you want to change tables after you're seated, just ask one of the floor managers (they'll be wandering around the room in casino uniform), tell them where you'd like to go and they should be able to look after you.

- As far as tipping goes, just observe a few rounds of your table and see what everyone else is doing - I believe a dollar or two is pretty standard (not allowed to tip dealers here, so not something I've ever had to do)

- SnG availability depends on the casino. I know my local one offers them, for example, but they hardly ever fill and therefore hardly ever run. Probably more likely to get up at peak times, unless it's a really big room.

As for rules and etiquette, here's a quick primer: https://www.cardschat.com/forum/general-poker-13/playing-live-what-you-need-know-114205/

Have fun! :)
 
Matt Vaughan

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This link ^

If you ever have doubt though, ask the dealer.
 
nabmom

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Guys,

Thanks so much. This is really helpful.
Another question: is bet sizing live in cash games similar to online? Ie., 3x for an open, 2/3 - 3/4 pot for cbet, give or take.

Also, if play at low limits (say $1-$2) has a lot of limpers, should that inherently change the TAG style that I imagine I'd play live (and that I play online)?
 
C

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Most casinos will have a websight with info on what days they have tourneys or special promotions, go check it out before you head there. When you get there if you have any additional questions just ask an employee (quietly so everyone else doesn't know you are new to live games).
 
Jillychemung

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Another question: is bet sizing live in cash games similar to online? Ie., 3x for an open, 2/3 - 3/4 pot for cbet, give or take.

Also, if play at low limits (say $1-$2) has a lot of limpers, should that inherently change the TAG style that I imagine I'd play live (and that I play online)?

Yes you can start out just as you would for an online game and then adjust based on your table's style. If you are getting too many callers on your opens then up it to 6x, 8x or even 10x. 1/2 to 2/3 pot for c-bets are fine just watch what boards you are c-betting. If you are getting a lot of limpers then def add in set-mining small PP, suited connectors and suited gappers from the BTN. Just be very conscious of stack sizes so you make sure you have the implied odds to play these hands. Keep you stack topped up!!
 
OzExorcist

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Another question: is bet sizing live in cash games similar to online? Ie., 3x for an open, 2/3 - 3/4 pot for cbet, give or take.

This is another one that can vary from place to place, but at a lot of places 5x open raises are pretty standard - I know in my regular $1/$3 game, $10 would be considered a pretty small opening raise and $15 is quite common.

That said, postflop bet sizing is often a bit screwy (and sometimes pretty low compared to online) because not a lot of players bother to track the size of the pot. If you can train yourself to keep mental track of the pot size you'll probably find yourself in spots where you can capitalise on those kind of mistakes.


^ definitely read this too.
 
nabmom

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Shout out to everyone who helped me out here.

Turns out that Maryland Live still doesn't have a poker room (they be opening up those tables this summer). So we headed for Charles Town (Hollywood Casino) and I had a blast. Ended up with a $154 profit from the $1/$2 NL tables!

Not a bad day at all.
 
tenbob

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Ive seen fish open to €50 in a €1/2 game, get laughed at by the table, yet get called in a few spots, and win massive pots with AA.

Open your big hands with whatever you feel will get called, there are certain live players that will pay up to half their stack to see a flop, identify them if they are there and whatever you do, do not bluff them.
 
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