Tips for Enjoying Your First Live Poker Experience

Tammy

Tammy

Can I help you?
Administrator
Joined
May 18, 2005
Total posts
57,551
Awards
11
US
Chips
1,175
This is the Week 4 February Forum Challenge discussion thread. However, feel free to join in, even if you aren't taking part in the Forum Challenge. For more info about the February Forum Challenge, click here. Don't be discouraged if you're getting a late start; we give you time to make up the previous weeks!

As a forum for online poker, a large amount of online players have never played poker live. So we've put together a comprehensive guide with our top tips for your first time playing live. Check it out here: Tips for Enjoying Your First Live Experience

What do you think was the most useful tip? If you have played live, what would you add? My own personal advice would be: Don't be afraid to ask questions! Dealers and table mates are usually happy to help out a noob. :)
 
Last edited:
Edison A

Edison A

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Jul 4, 2013
Total posts
9,977
Awards
24
Chips
16
the best advice for poker players who play live is that they never believe they know everything, I've seen online players that when they go to play a live table they think they know everything and it's not like that, you have to be humble and play with humility and always learn from the most experienced at the tables, another tip: always play with players who play a good level of poker so you can take advantage of those experiences, do not always play with novices, that will not help you, believe me !!!
 
mtl mile end

mtl mile end

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Total posts
11,293
Awards
23
CA
Chips
138
I love being “compelled” to read all these articles. They're good stuff!

Etiquette/Live Betting
Learn the house rules before you open your mouth – please. Everyone had their first live poker experience once. Everyone you are seated with once played at that venue for the first time. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Telling regs what’s what while you are having your first live poker experience IS something to be ashamed of.
Betting rules vary from venue to venue. They can also change over time at the same venue. Make sure you are up to speed. If you don’t know, ask.

Watch the Tournament Clock/Gathering Intelligence
I liked these sections of the article (especially the “ditch the cellphone” advice), but if you are an online player having your first live experience, learn to walk before you try to run. Try to gather the basic information that is staring you in the face online. You will notice that players don’t have big neon signs over their heads with their chip count. Pay attention to position and stack size. If you are playing an MTT, check the monitors for average stack, time of blinds, and runners remaining. Don’t be afraid to TAKE YOUR TIME and assess before acting. If you have a question, ask the dealer – that’s part of their job.

Booze and Food
Free drinks and or food at the table are the biggest perks, for me, of going to a card room and paying all those fees/rakes. I like to arrive a couple hours early for a tournament and play $1/2 cash so that I can eat a meal and have a drink for free (plus tip). If things work out really well, I cover the tips and freeroll the tourney. If things go badly, that could be a $200 pizza and beer. Such is life. When playing the tournament, I’ll drink a beer every two or three hours that I play (drinks are free at Playground Poker Club tourneys). I drive to the venue, so drunkenness is not an option. In addition, bathroom runs can cost me hands and drinking (the physical act) at the table can be a little “telly”. I think if you’re more comfortable having a drink than not, have at it. It is rare, however for someone to be a true “Drunken Master” a la Minh the Master.

My biggest piece of advice for food at the table is: order only something that you are comfortable eating at the table. It really doesn’t matter if the 20 oz porterhouse with all the trimmings is FREE at the $2/5 cash table. What you pay in rake is easily going to cover the house’s cost. How are you going to feel if you have to turn your body to carve through your every bite of a gigantic meal while action is flowing? What if the dealer is the annoying sort that thumps the table and demands action every time you turn to take a bite (lived through this, thank God it was just a salad)? Either order something that doesn’t interfere with play (one utensil dishes or (yuck*) hand held) or sit out to eat.

*I have cleaned thousands of Casino used poker chips. I cannot think of very many things that can compare to their filth level. Older chips that haven’t been cleaned in a while are almost coated in “finger jelly” with large pockets of the jelly in the indentations. Watching a very ill Maria Lampropulos cough into her hand for three days while winning this year’s PCA is a disgusting reminder of what’s swimming on the chips and cards.There is/was a reg at Playground who eats potato chips with chopsticks!! – weird, but clean.
 
Last edited:
T

tojobaggins

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 4, 2018
Total posts
33
Chips
0
PLAY BIG

Between beginners luck and the sites trying to keep new players coming back, you should definitely play for like a huge buy in. Make sure you have snacks and drinks cause online tourneys will take 5,6,7 hours to get to the final table.
 
Tammy

Tammy

Can I help you?
Administrator
Joined
May 18, 2005
Total posts
57,551
Awards
11
US
Chips
1,175
the best advice for poker players who play live is that they never believe they know everything, I've seen online players that when they go to play a live table they think they know everything and it's not like that, you have to be humble and play with humility and always learn from the most experienced at the tables, another tip: always play with players who play a good level of poker so you can take advantage of those experiences, do not always play with novices, that will not help you, believe me !!!
This is very true! It is so important to pay attention to the action. There is nothing more annoying than a player that consistently does not pay attention.

I love being “compelled” to read all these articles. They're good stuff!

Etiquette/Live Betting
Learn the house rules before you open your mouth – please. Everyone had their first live poker experience once. Everyone you are seated with once played at that venue for the first time. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Telling regs what’s what while you are having your first live poker experience IS something to be ashamed of.
Betting rules vary from venue to venue. They can also change over time at the same venue. Make sure you are up to speed. If you don’t know, ask.

Watch the Tournament Clock/Gathering Intelligence
I liked these sections of the article (especially the “ditch the cellphone” advice), but if you are an online player having your first live experience, learn to walk before you try to run. Try to gather the basic information that is staring you in the face online. You will notice that players don’t have big neon signs over their heads with their chip count. Pay attention to position and stack size. If you are playing an MTT, check the monitors for average stack, time of blinds, and runners remaining. Don’t be afraid to TAKE YOUR TIME and assess before acting. If you have a question, ask the dealer – that’s part of their job.

Booze and Food
Free drinks and or food at the table are the biggest perks, for me, of going to a card room and paying all those fees/rakes. I like to arrive a couple hours early for a tournament and play $1/2 cash so that I can eat a meal and have a drink for free (plus tip). If things work out really well, I cover the tips and freeroll the tourney. If things go badly, that could be a $200 pizza and beer. Such is life. When playing the tournament, I’ll drink a beer every two or three hours that I play (drinks are free at Playground Poker Club tourneys). I drive to the venue, so drunkenness is not an option. In addition, bathroom runs can cost me hands and drinking (the physical act) at the table can be a little “telly”. I think if you’re more comfortable having a drink than not, have at it. It is rare, however for someone to be a true “Drunken Master” a la Minh the Master.

My biggest piece of advice for food at the table is: order only something that you are comfortable eating at the table. It really doesn’t matter if the 20 oz porterhouse with all the trimmings is FREE at the $2/5 cash table. What you pay in rake is easily going to cover the house’s cost. How are you going to feel if you have to turn your body to carve through your every bite of a gigantic meal while action is flowing? What if the dealer is the annoying sort that thumps the table and demands action every time you turn to take a bite (lived through this, thank God it was just a salad)? Either order something that doesn’t interfere with play (one utensil dishes or (yuck*) hand held) or sit out to eat.

*I have cleaned thousands of Casino used poker chips. I cannot think of very many things that can compare to their filth level. Older chips that haven’t been cleaned in a while are almost coated in “finger jelly” with large pockets of the jelly in the indentations. Watching a very ill Maria Lampropulos cough into her hand for three days while winning this year’s PCA is a disgusting reminder of what’s swimming on the chips and cards.There is/was a reg at Playground who eats potato chips with chopsticks!! – weird, but clean.
These are all really great points and insights. Free food?? I don't get that at my local casino. :p I could have food delivered to the table, but never have. If I'm playing a tournament, I eat before it starts. If I'm playing cash and get hungry, I leave the table to grab a bite. They are always willing to hold my chips and seat for a reasonable amount of time. I just feel like I'm being really rude eating at the table, and yeah...GROSS to the hand held eating! :eek:
 
R

royalflush122096

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 5, 2017
Total posts
114
Chips
0
I would use sunglasses at the poker table to hide your eyes so that you will not give away tells!
 
PHX

PHX

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Dec 7, 2014
Total posts
7,127
Awards
16
TT
Chips
68
It takes some time to adjust to live game if you are mainly an online player.

I suggest if you won a seat to a big live event to play a few smaller tournies before. 3 or 4 times is enough to get used to.


I hate when I get put next to a smelly player, a sweaty player or and abnoxious player. Some people are just plain mean at tables got to watch out for them.


Keep your cards and your chips to yourself. People try all kind of stuff to see your hole cards or steal your chips.


Plenty times you can get a good read on players by their appearances and their behavior without even playing a hand with them keep your eyes open. I suggest staying away from the quiet neat players that seem aggresive those are normally the sharks.


Table talk is sometimes good but be careful. While some people are try to be nice others are searching for information, especially chatting when you are in the middle of a hand I do not recommend . It is better to be silent when an opponent who is in a hand with you is trying to chat you up.


Try to keep your emotions and actions intact and consistent. Timing of actions should be consistent should not act faster sometimes than others. How you put your chips in the middle is somthing to try and be consistent with. Practice these motions regularly at home.
 
mtl mile end

mtl mile end

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Total posts
11,293
Awards
23
CA
Chips
138
These are all really great points and insights. Free food?? I don't get that at my local casino. :p I could have food delivered to the table, but never have. If I'm playing a tournament, I eat before it starts. If I'm playing cash and get hungry, I leave the table to grab a bite. They are always willing to hold my chips and seat for a reasonable amount of time. I just feel like I'm being really rude eating at the table, and yeah...GROSS to the hand held eating! :eek:

You don't get free food at the cash table?!?!?! Rise Up!!

Playground raves (itself) about it's food as a promo. In truth, it is the height of mediocrity. Someday I'll have to quiz regs who are food-centric on what is good.

As for eating at the poker table being rude, I agree, sure is. However, with the free food perk (try to imagine...Mmmmm :eating:), people definitely are encouraged to eat. And it certainly seems less rude to turn towards the side table to actually shove the food into your mouth than to one utensil or hand stuff your face at the poker table. But this is actually discouraged - go figure.


I forgot an addition to the live experience list.


Accessories!
In addition to the sunglasses mentioned above, it's handy to have a few things. I once played a large WPT related event that required a temporary tent structure so that extra tables could be accommodated. I was sat next to the AC vent in the tent. It was August. Temperature at my seat was 20 degrees colder than outside air temp.


So extra warm clothes, a card capper, change for tips (if you're playing tourney only), glasses if you need them (even if you think you don't need them for poker), and all the stuff you use at home when you play online.


When I get really "juiced" playing poker, my hands (palms) start to sweat profusely. I used to carry a piece of synthetic fibre cloth (ShamWow!) that I would place on my lap to dry my hands. Hmmm, sage advice.. or too much information...:hmmmm2:
 
ribbybruno

ribbybruno

Skadoosh!!
Loyaler
Joined
Aug 12, 2009
Total posts
8,807
Awards
16
Chips
481
Enjoyed the tips! I have played in LIVE tournaments over the years. Paying attention is a huge factor if you want to make it to the Final Table. Water only during serious sessions! I am always friendly to whoever is dealing at my table. Give respect to get it! Courtesy to all casino personnel doesn't hurt either! Good luck players!
 
cwdignus

cwdignus

Carpe diem
Loyaler
Joined
Jul 17, 2015
Total posts
2,792
Awards
4
BR
Chips
93
these tips came in good time, I really intending to start my journey in live tournaments.
 
C

chronical

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 15, 2014
Total posts
1,128
Awards
1
Chips
1
Never played live. So thanks for the arcticle and tips from others, will defenetly check this when(if) I'll have a chance to play live. I guess Dont forget to eat and bathroom would be the most importain topics? =)
Had experiecne playing live with friends (I dont think this coulnts as a live play, I mean in a casion) It was fun , but most tips that apply to homegame are not that appicable to casino I would think.
Was really supprise buy what "mt mile end" said about worm close LUL
 
Z

ZARGA123

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 21, 2017
Total posts
181
Chips
0
For me the biggest difference or Trouble between live and online poker for me will be certainly
the pace or speed of the game as I am used to Online poker which is played considerably faster than live poker that could probably result to make me feel borred while playing a live tournament and the Second one is how to get used to the physical tells and hide my tells as well since while playing online opponents are not able to see us or get any real infos apart of the factors related to our Pot inputs and the frequency of hands and ranges we are playing, of course, the role of physical tells gets omitted from the online game but will be fundamental for Live poker which includes table talk, manipulating the pot, bet sizing ...


It will be so hard to switch from Online to Live poker but at the end Live poker will be more interesting and an amazing experience.
 
Alexandr Svinarshyk

Alexandr Svinarshyk

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 3, 2017
Total posts
659
Chips
0
in live tournaments you really do not need to be shy and play your game. The advice from me is simple observation and strictly adhere to your strategy, do not lead on provocations of opponents.
 
makisaa

makisaa

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Oct 6, 2015
Total posts
3,030
Awards
10
GR
Chips
206
Very useful guide! I have not played yet live. The most usefull points from the article is the level of players you can find live, and many detailed rules which everyone must pay attention before goes to live, to avoid bad surprises!
 
zam220

zam220

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Sep 20, 2014
Total posts
3,154
Awards
12
Chips
110
Of course, these are useful tips!The article I liked!I would add that the main condition for a home poker game – a good mood!
 
Vorem

Vorem

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 15, 2017
Total posts
918
Chips
0
I've never played poker live, for me the hardest part is probably counting chips in the stack, in the bank, in the players' stakes.
Moreover, I am very emotional, so, probably, other players it will be easy read me .
But I hope that one way or another I will play live, and this article will have to help me
 
freddy66

freddy66

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Total posts
327
Chips
0
couple tips

i play live 3 times a week,1 live stud,2 live nl holdem...i think the most important thing may be headphones,when there is 8-10 guys and gals playing the noise can be over-berring,and also after playin so much online the games falls to a very slow pace,or so it seems,and also,dont be afraid to take off the headphones and ask questions,then put em right back on.and the no1 thing is dont get caught up in the bad play,just play your game,be smart and use position.all i have for ya baby.....good luck on the felts baby:cool:
 
Hackerosito

Hackerosito

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 25, 2017
Total posts
629
Awards
6
Chips
0
This transition if I already lived it, but I could advise those who are going to experience the game live for the first time, to be more focused, eyes open, since you can not take notes of the opponents, study them and is aware of the position of your game, also do not lose sight of your chips. In short there are many details to take into account, have fun, have a plan and enjoy the experience.
 
chicopaw

chicopaw

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Jan 15, 2017
Total posts
7,121
Awards
28
Chips
463
GREAT ADVICE ,I have never played live considering i'm only 45m drive to 2 casinos, I am going to make it there soon, but will definitley play the smaller buy-ins, ..I feel i have good people reading abilities and if i play and read the players right may just win my first live tournament


i
 
whiskers77

whiskers77

The art of purring
Loyaler
Joined
Jun 3, 2017
Total posts
5,739
Awards
15
DE
Chips
922
Very interesting article. I never played so far live in a casino. I am amazed how many mistakes you can make there. I did not expect that. Especially that you need to protect your cards otherwise the dealer could take them away from you, gave me a smile. I did not expect such things could happen. Also about the mistakes with the unclear betting.

What I also imagine for myself to be very hard, is to adjust your bet sizing to the pot. Because nowhere it is written, how much chips are now in the pot. :confused:
I wonder, if it is usual, that people ask about the amount of chips, that are in the pot at the moment? Or is this just a sign for others, that you are a newbie or you give them somehow a hint, that you are just an unaware player?
 
Dejange

Dejange

CC Delija
Loyaler
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Total posts
10,005
Awards
21
BG
Chips
201
Nice tips for live events, something I did not had chance to try, yet!

I asked the similar question to Debi - how she estimates the stack sizes of the opponents during the live sessions? So she answered me that you could estimate it only roughly by visual contact of the chip amount ...
As for the pot size, I think several times I saw players to ask the dealer about it. So I think this is something common by live poker. Someone with more experience could probably confirm that ...
 
onondaga

onondaga

Ukraine
Bronze Level
Joined
Apr 21, 2015
Total posts
3,146
Awards
14
UA
Chips
0
:top: nice post from @mtl mile, esp about Etiquette/live betting

for me its a little complicated to count odds and outs when play live also like count the size of raise and players stackes (sometimes chips color helps, but not always), in online its not a big deal. but besides the knowing the rules and etiquettes i see the necesity of learning english (for non english speaking players who play abroad) what will help to keep the conversation going in right way
 
No1eJoker

No1eJoker

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
May 21, 2017
Total posts
1,877
Awards
14
Chips
0
Excellent tips with beginners who need to play their first tournament live, I never played live except at home with my friends ... but I think it's much more difficult to play live when you do not know your opponents and you play for the first time against them, many will try to scare beginners but you need to show patience and determination not to come just to get out, you need to fight to survive .. It takes a long time to get used to playing live poker, because the rules are strict, if you are afraid you will easily make the mistakes listed in text ... and I think that the most important advice is do not a drink alcohol. because then the player more relaxed and called a lot of many hands and could quickly turn out..
 
Organize a Home Poker Game Poker Tips
Top