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Server Time: 2/13/2012 10:54:15 AM PACIFIC |
 What to expect, James Maher, 25. Mar 2003 14:12 | ||
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| I was wondering if you all could give me some advice on my first trip to a casino to play hold em. I have been playing online poker for about 2 months now and have read a bunch of books, a few like the theory of poker a bunch of times. In that time I have gotten pretty good at calculating pot odds and I have managed to turn $500 into a little over a thousand playing mostly $2-4 and some $3-6 and $5-10 when I feel the games to be right (and I have also won money in a few tournaments, i am not sure yet whether that has been because of good play or a lucky run of cards, I would say a mix of both.) Also I have played once a week HE with my friends for the last year who except for two guys have absolutely no idea what they are doing. I havn't been trying to take advantage of them because they're my friends but just trying to get used to playing physical poker instead of online and trying catch tells etc. However, I am planning to go to atlantic city next month and I have no idea what to expect.... what games do you think would be best for me to start at? (and where for those who know AC well). I'm guessing the pace will be faster than most of the online hold em' I have played (not in amount of hands but with the speed of people checking and calling within each hand). Is this right? What should I expect the competition to be like? Also, I am not necessarily looking to make money on this trip, or even break even, so at this point I'm not really thinking about the rake or such, i just want to find the right stakes and crowd to feel comfortable in reading the game and trying to play my best without my nerves getting in the way too much. thanks in advance, James | ||
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| Re: What to expect, Paul Stine, 25. Mar 2003 14:24 | ||
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| Don't eat a big meal before you sit down to play. The first time I made a real hand (Aces full) I thought I was going to puke. Paul Stine College Station, TX | ||
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| Re: What to expect, Fox, 25. Mar 2003 16:04 | ||
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| The Taj is a good place to play, my favorite. Expect all types of players, but on a weekend the level of play is usually pretty loose. on 25. Mar 2003 14:12 James Maher wrote: > I was wondering if you all could give me some advice on my first trip to a > casino to play hold em. > > I have been playing online poker for about 2 months now and have read a bunch > of books, a few like the theory of poker a bunch of times. In that time I have > gotten pretty good at calculating pot odds and I have managed to turn $500 into > a little over a thousand playing mostly $2-4 and some $3-6 and $5-10 when I feel > the games to be right (and I have also won money in a few tournaments, i am not > sure yet whether that has been because of good play or a lucky run of cards, I > would say a mix of both.) > > Also I have played once a week HE with my friends for the last year who except > for two guys have absolutely no idea what they are doing. I havn't been trying > to take advantage of them because they're my friends but just trying to get used > to playing physical poker instead of online and trying catch tells etc. > > However, I am planning to go to atlantic city next month and I have no idea > what to expect.... > > what games do you think would be best for me to start at? (and where for those > who know AC well). I'm guessing the pace will be faster than most of the online > hold em' I have played (not in amount of hands but with the speed of people > checking and calling within each hand). Is this right? > > What should I expect the competition to be like? > > Also, I am not necessarily looking to make money on this trip, or even break > even, so at this point I'm not really thinking about the rake or such, i just > want to find the right stakes and crowd to feel comfortable in reading the game > and trying to play my best without my nerves getting in the way too much. > > thanks in advance, > James | ||
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| Re: What to expect, shorn, 26. Mar 2003 05:43 | ||
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| As your first time in a live casino game, I would play no higher than 5-10 since you have gotten comfortable up to that level on-line. One very important thing to remember is to be very patient. Casino poker is much slower than on-line poker in both the play of the hand and the number of hands that are dealt in an hour. So, it is easy to get frustrated and try to "ram and jam" KJo from early position if you haven't seen a hand in a while. My personal record for folding in a casino is 43 hands in a row and I know others who have had much longer streaks than that. I think you have the right attitude going in. I would start at the Taj as they have the biggest room and most limits spread. Most of all, play disciplined and have fun. | ||
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| Re: What to expect, stdioh, 26. Mar 2003 08:10 | ||
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| Good question. First, resist the urge to play your cards. It is easy to say subconsciously, "I came here to play cards; not to fold cards," and then play all sorts of garbage that you wouldn't touch online. Second, try to supress your tells if you can, though at a low limit game this probably doesn't matter much. Third, expect to lose - casino poker is just different from internet poker and from home games - it takes some getting used to. And the big places to play in Atlantic City are the Taj and the Trop. I've heard great things about both, but never been to either. | ||
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| Re: What to expect, Ezra, 26. Mar 2003 09:37 | ||
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| I have played at both the Taj and the Trop. Here are a few observations: 1. Taj low limit tables (particularly 3-6 and 2-4) attract more senior citizens (as far as I can tell) who treat it like a social club, particularly during the week. I was "reprimanded" by another player (a woman in her 60s) after I check raised a strong hand. She said, "I would NEVER check raise". Anyway, most of the senior citizens are Rocks. I like the Taj poker room because it's very big and open with a really high ceiling (Trop is a little more claustrophobic IMHO). 2. Trop has fewer tables and (fewer seniors). In my limited experience I think the quality of play is SLIGHTLY higher at the Trop. They also offer 4-8 which I like (Last time I was there Taj only had 3-6 & 5-10.) Anyway, the quality of play is definitely lower on weekends, particularly late at night. Of course, you are more likely to be sucked out on by someone playing garbage because "any two cards can win" ;-). Just keep playing quality hands... Hope this helps. Good Luck. | ||
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| Re: What to expect, mroban, 26. Mar 2003 15:52 | ||
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| James: I would say the big difference in playing in casinos is just getting used to the way the game is run at casinos. Most casinos have a policy against string bets so be careful to say "raise" before you reach for your checks. Also, talk to the pit boss about game selection. try to get him to put you in a game with "casual" players (e.g. guys that are drinking at the table) or with other players that fit the type of game you like to play in. If you feel you play better against tight conservative players, try to find a table with mostly older players. If you like a game with loose players that cap the pots pre-flop and raise pre-flop with marginal hands, ask the pit boss for tables with younger, more aggressive (drinking) players. In general, on a saturday night, you can expect more of a casual playing crowd. Ironically, I have had more success on the $5-10 or $10-20 games because that is where the players looking for "action" will go. On the $2-4 and $3-6 games you tend to get older more conservative players that really know the game and don't like to lose money. Just something to think about. But mostly, if the cards aren't running for you, get up and change tables. Don't get locked into a mentality of "I am here in AC and have to keep playing". Also, I find that trying to read the players that you have never met the same way as in your regular game is counterproductive when the turnover is kind of high. Instead, stick to basic tells like watching for guys getting quiet all of a sudden if they are chatty (they like their hand), slouchers suddenly sitting upright (they like their hand), etc. Finally, go to the Taj Mahal. Its the best poker room in town. They have a huge game selection and there is something for every kind of player there. | ||
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| Re: What to expect, timmer, 26. Mar 2003 18:04 | ||
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| on 25. Mar 2003 14:12 James Maher wrote: > I was wondering if you all could give me some advice on my first trip to a casino to play hold em. > Before you leave make a trip plan. it should consist of your goal(s), sessions you plan on playing ,limits, buy ins . include time to eat , sleep , scout out games and smell the roses. a page or two from a day timer should give you a good idea for what the outline should be. Make a plan and plan on sticking to it. This will engender disipline and patience on your part. The most sucsessfull advantage gamblers I know do this religiously. After you get there go to your room, drink a bottle of water and lie down. visualize exactly what it is you are going to do and how your going to get it done. take a nap if you can. You probably wont be able to but at least get a relaxation period in. A hour or so should do it. I've gone on trips and just slept most of the first night . Some people think Im crazy . I think its smart to be well rested before getting out and snapping some spines. Next, wander around the poker room and the casino and get acclimated to the environment. I could write a book on the psycological ploys casinos use to get you to break disipline and dump all your money. you dont think those bright colors , blinking lights jangling coin hoppers and free drinks served by foxy waitresses are for your benefit do you? This warm you up get you centered on your goal, dampen those first night jitters and help you to retain your disipline. First session play the lowest game they got . this will get you a feel for how casino poker is played and the flow of the game . Which is much faster (speed wise) than most home games. Play a good tight game. Dont worry about the players so much as playing your "A" game. Do this and the fish should pay you off nicely. If you do all this they will have to get lucky to beat you. You wont have to get lucky to beat them and if you do get lucky you could easily double through your buy in. I would suggest diceing around at the lower two limits the first weekend You arnt there to do a hard core battle you are on a recon mission. However, If you do make contact well... go ahead and send em to hell. Check out the higher games as well . set aside some time to Hawk the hell out of the next couple of limits and some much higher limits as well. This will give you a feel for that type of play as well. You might learn somthing as well get up every hour or so and mentally reveiw your play. bring along a note card or a small spiral note book and right down things you did right and things you could have done better. Now is a good time to start booking the other players as well. sure you wont be bottom feeding forever but booking these players in these games will get you in practice for booking the players in other higher games. Mostly concentrate on playing a good tight aggressive game ( your best game). A textbook mission is what you are on so dont stray from you objective. Also be very carefull during your last few hours of your trip . Ive seen some great players dust off racks just chasing or trying to get some more. Your probably at your worst during this time. I like to skip this opportunity to go on tilt . get Plenty of rest and the best of it timmer | ||
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| Re: What to expect, James Maher, 2. Apr 2003 09:38 | ||
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| Thanks everyone for your replies. You all have been extremely helpful and i'll let you know how my first casino trip goes when I get back. James | ||
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