|
||
|
||
|
Server Time: 3/21/2010 8:01:44 AM PACIFIC |
 Taj Poker Room, Burt Fu, 7. Jun 2003 13:26 | ||
| View ( Message | Thread ) | Return to Thread List | |
| I was in AC earlier in the week, and decided to take a walk to see the poker room at the Taj. There were probably 50 - 60 tables in the room, and it appeared that most the games were stud, or other card games, with maybe only 10 or so playing hold em. I was walking around just watching what was going on...being my first time in a casino card room and had a few questions about what I saw... If I had the time to play, that would have been nice, but it seemed all the tables were fairly high limit...I didn't notice anything lower than $10 /$20... and didn't feel like being taken to the cleaners learning the ins and outs of casino play. Do casinos typically have only higher limit tables? Hell, I would sit at $1 / $2 or so, to get used to playing in that environment, but probably not $10 /$20..or higher. Also, it didn't even look like you could just sit and play. Do they take waiting lists? A man with a microphone kept calling out what seemed to be endless sets of initials... " B.L. at $20 / $40...lock it up" What was that all about? He kept calling initials...but I couldn't figure out why. Also other employees seemed to be shuffing about reseating people from table to table...and taking plastic cards from them (which I assume are some kind of casino promotion cards.) Also, occasionally, I would see a player take a chip and place it on his cards in front of him while they were face down...couldn't figure that one out, either. Tipping the dealer? How much...and how often. Each time you win? The atmosphere was very "busy" and was a little intimidating to someone not real familiar with the scene. I guess it is normal, but I know I would rather understand what was going on there before I sat down and either made a fool of myself, or lost a bunch of cash. Thanks... | ||
| Return to Thread List | ||
| Re: Taj Poker Room, 4 POKER, 7. Jun 2003 16:55 | ||
| View ( Message | Thread ) | Return to Thread List | |
| Hey Burt, I'd like to address some of the uncertainties that you were experiencing. I'm from that area myself and play at The Taj Mahal on a regular basis. #1 The Taj Mahal does offer many low limit games ranging from $1-2 to $5-10. They have an entire section of low limit tables that are al in one area of the room They offer Stud, Hold-em Omaha hi-low and sometimes Stud 8 or better. They spread a $2-4 hold-em game just about every day and betwen the limits of $2-4 through $5-10, they must have at least five hold-em games to chose from at one time(even more of a selection on the weekends). They spread a $2-4 and a $5-10 Omaha game every day. They spread stud games starting at $1-3 and up every day. (sometimes if you walk into the room and it's at an off time, say like around 4 in the morning on a Tuesday, you may find that the selection of games may not be there. #2 As far as being able to just sit and play, well if there are seats open at the table you still should check with the floorperson first to make sure that noone else is on the list ahead of you for that game.(it goes by the order in which what names were on there first. The Taj has two podiums in their poker room. One is strictly for the lower limit games($1-2 thru $5-10) and the other podium is for all the middlle to higher limit games ($10-20 and above) When you first walk into the room, you should check out the lists first. Just walk up to the podium, tell them what game/limit you are interested in and then put your name on the list for that game(you can put your name on multiple lists, they will call your name for whatever game comes available first, but they will call your name for all the other games that you signed up for as well(as soon as they come available) When you give them your name, what most players do because the room is so big is this, they give the person at the podium their initials(as this would create a lot less confusion as compared to if everyone just gave their first name-do you know how many John's and Mary's there are)?! When you hear your initials being called out, you just say lock it up and then the floorperson will take you to your seat. #3 Plastic cards. Yes, this is for perks and things of that nature. When you go to the Taj, you can tell the floorperson that you would like to be "rated". You will fill out a small form(about three items long, name, birthdate, address)0, he/she will issue you a card almost immediately. Every time you go to the Taj for a visit, as soon as you sit down to play your first session of poker, simply tell the dealer that you need to be clocked in. He will call a floorperson over who will take your card and log you in for that day(or until you leave the table).depending on what limit your playing at, each player is rewarded up to $2 an hour for their time spent playing poker there. These points that will add up on your card will not have any cash redeming value to them, but you can use those points to purchase food with, hotel rooms and the gift shop as well.When you are through playing for that day, you simply go up to any floorperson and tell them that you need to be signed out. Everything is computerized and takes seconds to do. #4 Chips on cards. Something done by hold-em players to reassure them that the dealer will not be able to accidentally scoop their hand up and toss it into the muck. It is also to prevent the other players from sneaking a peak.(some guys like to put little lucky figurines on their cards like lucky Buddahs and things like that-it really just acts as a paperweight if you will). #5 Toking. The average tip is $1 per hand. (you would have to be the judge of what you wished to give however, but look around, one dollar is the norm.) I hope I helped to clarify some things for you and maybe the next time you visit the Taj Mahal you'll have a more pleasant and relaxed time. Good Luck. 4 POKER | ||
| Return to Thread List | ||
| Re: Taj Poker Room, Burt Fu, 7. Jun 2003 20:44 | ||
| View ( Message | Thread ) | Return to Thread List | |
| Hey, thanks for taking the time to reply. That certainly was helpful. I was watching more towards the end of the poker room near the outside windows, obviously the higher-limit side...which explains why I only saw higher limit games...I guess the low limit side is more toward the casino end, it just seemed more crowded and cramped at that side, so I avoided it. Yes, I saw the buddahs...hey whatever helps you through your game, I guess... I play online a bit, but have never played in an actual poker room. There is quite a bit of table "tapping" and other aspects of poker that are absent from online play, that can seem a bit confusing at first. It is just a matter of getting used to and understanding the differences...and trying not to lose a bunch of money while learning the hard way. Thanks, again. | ||
| Return to Thread List | ||
| Re: Taj Poker Room, 4 POKER, 7. Jun 2003 20:58 | ||
| View ( Message | Thread ) | Return to Thread List | |
| No problem Burt, I'm glad you found it helpful. One more thing: If you're in the area again, you may also want to check out the poker room at the Tropicana casino. It's on the second floor and you may enjoy yourself there. The room is not as overwhelming as the Taj and it is a little bit more layed back. 'They spread several low limit hold-em games(if that is your game of choice) and they also give points to players that can be used towards food and hotel rooms. The poker room is right next to the lounge so if you're waiting for a seat, at least you'll have the chance at listening to some music.(and not to worry about it being too noisy- the whole poker room is surrounded by glass so it's pretty quiet in there). Another thing I'd like to mention is they will be opening a brand new casino called 'The Borgota" in July of this year that will also have a poker room. (right now I am on a long vacation out west but I am definitely looking foward to checking out the new room) By the way, The Borgota is located on the marina which is about 5 minutes or so from the rest of the casinos-but you can't miss it, it's as big as day! Take care. 4 POKER | ||
| Return to Thread List | ||
| Re: Taj Poker Room, flintsword, 7. Jun 2003 17:43 | ||
| View ( Message | Thread ) | Return to Thread List | |
| Well, 4 POKER did such a good job already with your questions. When I went to my first casino poker room, I was really put off at the bustle, "code words", and strange habits. Having played in chess tournaments, I guessed there were reasons and it would not take long to learn. Ask the floor person, or "brush", for help. A good strategy is wait for a lull in people around him or her, and ask away. They are usually real interested in making new players comfortable and are pure service people by nature. You are pretty smart asking here and instinctively want to find "the right limit table" to learn, because table selection is key. If you want a good read to get you more "into poker", try: http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m1111/1807_301/68018764/p1/article.jhtml which is a super article called "Fortune's Smile", a true poker story that most interested poker players really get into (unless they have read it before ...) Look for a table that is a little loose, players are smiling and there is some banter going on. I think this environment is better for beginners that want to get used to casino poker games. Hope this helps and welcome to UPF. flintsword | ||
| Return to Thread List | ||
| Re: Taj Poker Room, Burt Fu, 7. Jun 2003 20:56 | ||
| View ( Message | Thread ) | Return to Thread List | |
| Thanks for the read. I will start after my reply. Yeah, I figure about the only thing you can get from sitting at a $20/$40 table without really knowing a lot about "live" table play is an expensive lesson about how little you know. | ||
| Return to Thread List | ||
| POKER FORUM HOME | POKER FORUM | LINK TO US | ARCHIVE | ONLINE POKER | Copyright 2002, United Poker Forum |
|
Getting Started |
UPF Tournaments |
Poker News, Views, Rules |
Poker Strategy & Psychology |
Money and Bankroll Poker Bonuses & Promotions | World Series of Poker (WSOP) | Play Online Poker | Poker Odds & Statistics | Tournament Poker | Poker Books, Videos & Learning Tools Looking for a Poker Game | Poker Bad Beats | Not Quite Poker | Quizzes and Polls | Forum Suggestions & Bugs |
|
|
|
|
Interesting Links: Online Poker | Free Poker Games | United Poker Network | Find Vancouver Businesses |
|