More questions before my first live game ....

I might be looking at my first live game next week, so here's a few more questions I have:

- If I will raise, I understand that I first announce this. Say the blinds are 5/10, and I want to raise to 3.5XBB. Do I say what I will raise, or what I will raise TO? (raise $25 or raise TO $35?).

- Is it a option to just say raise and throw your chips in?

- In the HSP cash games, I often see them reach into the pot to take chips back, and I assume this is because they didn't have the right denomination and they are taking back what they need to even things up. I bet this is a no-no in a casino as I figure they don't want people reaching into the pot. After I state clearly that I am just calling, if I don't have the right denomination of chips, I just toss in what I have and wait for change from the dealer? Same thing with raising. If I want to raise to $35 and I don't have $5 chips (or $25's and $10's ..... whatever), I state I'm raising to $35, put $40 in and expect a $5 chip back? Or would they expect you to keep it simple and just make your raise $40?

- To date, whenever I need to know the size of the pot, I just look at my monitor. Especially in my first game, I'm expecting to be nervous and distracted by the environment. Sure, it's just simple addition, but I can see losing track of the exact amount of the pot. Do they state the amount that's in the pot at any given time? Can I ask? Will I look like a tool if I ask? (as I ask this, I figure it might be a good idea to turn off 'display pot amount' and practice keeping track).



Thanks for any input guys.

I might be looking at my first live game next week, so here's a few more questions I have:

- If I will raise, I understand that I first announce this. Say the blinds are 5/10, and I want to raise to 3.5XBB. Do I say what I will raise, or what I will raise TO? (raise $25 or raise TO $35?).

- Is it a option to just say raise and throw your chips in?
whenever i play live, i find the best thing to do and the thing that will save you headaches is just announce Raise and then you dont have to worry about your chips going across a betting line. some casinos have this and some dont, but your safer just saying raise ahead of time- (quote) In the HSP cash games, I often see them reach into the pot to take chips back, and I assume this is because they didn't have the right denomination and they are taking back what they need to even things up. I bet this is a no-no in a casino as I figure they don't want people reaching into the pot. After I state clearly that I am just calling, if I don't have the right denomination of chips, I just toss in what I have and wait for change from the dealer? Same thing with raising. If I want to raise to $35 and I don't have $5 chips (or $25's and $10's ..... whatever), I state I'm raising to $35, put $40 in and expect a $5 chip back? Or would they expect you to keep it simple and just make your raise $40?
whenever you dont have the right denomination, just put in any oversized chip( i usually do the smallest chip i can to make it easier on the dealer) and the dealer will make change for you. alternatively, you can also ask or be asked by another player to make change, its up to you. and no to be clear, your only required to call what the raise is, nothing more. (quote) - To date, whenever I need to know the size of the pot, I just look at my monitor. Especially in my first game, I'm expecting to be nervous and distracted by the environment. Sure, it's just simple addition, but I can see losing track of the exact amount of the pot. Do they state the amount that's in the pot at any given time? Can I ask? Will I look like a tool if I ask? (as I ask this, I figure it might be a good idea to turn off 'display pot amount' and practice keeping track).

yes, when in your first game you might be a bit nervous, and distracted, but hey have a beer or a cigarette, or if you dont either of those, just stay away from caffeine, that will help. seriously. i try to keep track of the pot size as best i can, but in a nl game its not a huge thing if you dont know the exact size of the pot. i try to be close but i wouldnt be overly worried about that. i would focus more on keepin your hands steady, wait till its your turn to act to look at your cards so as not to give away any info to your opponents, try to look at the cards and not your chips( that can be looked at as you are worried about your money even if its not true), and most importantly, remember that you arent the only who is there for the first time, and not everybody at the table is a pro even if they have been. i bet once you do it once you will keep on going back for more. it sure is fun. best of luck to you.