Your First Visit to an Atlantic City Poker Room

What to Expect Your First Time Playing Live Poker

 

The Legend

www.acpokerguys.com

 

We all remember the first time we set foot in a card room.  Finding the room in the casino, buying your chips, choosing your game, all of those things can be very intimidating.  This is a step by step guide to make that experience more fun and relaxing.  Brought to you by www.acpokerguys.com

 

  1. Finding the Poker Room

 

Back in the day, this used to be a little harder than it is now.  It may sound really simple, but casinos are designed to be mazes to keep you in.  Follow the signs or ask casino personnel and they will be happy to help you out.  Sometimes when I go to a new casino I like to take a walk around and get used to the layout.  Find out where the restrooms, food establishments, and craps tables are located.  You want to make sure you are feeling comfortable.  You’re going to be spending a couple hours with your money on the table.  You don’t want to bleed that money away because you don’t feel at home.

 

  1. Signing Up for a Game

 

When you get to the poker room take a look around to find the main desk.  You should see TVs or a whiteboard that have lists of initials for every different game.  The desk is usually right there.  Know what game you are going to play in before you leave.  You can visit our site at www.acpokerguys.com for a complete listing of games by casino.  You can also see what games are currently being spread by looking on the TVs or asking the floor man at the desk.  Once you know what game you want to play give the floor man your initials and tell him what games to list you as interested in.  It is perfectly acceptable to list yourself in 2-4 limit hold’em, 3-6 limit hold’em, and 1-2 no limit hold’em.  You are allowed to play whichever one opens first, even if that is not your first choice, and then switch to your first choice when that becomes available.  Just make sure to let the floor man know your intentions.  Once you are on the list make sure you hang around the general area so you can hear when your name gets called.

 

  1. Purchasing Chips

 

 Most casinos would like you to purchase chips from the cashier prior to sitting down at the table.  Some allow you to purchase chips at the table, but the general rule is to get them before you sit at your table.  Ask the floor man where the cashier is if you cannot find it.  Head to the cashier, purchase your chips, and then wait for your table to open up.  Coming to the table with chips will make you look like a seasoned veteran and get you more respect at the table.

 

  1. Sitting at Your Table

 

Once your name is called, take your chips and follow the floor man to your seat.  Take your chips out of your rack and place them on the table.  Nothing screams fish more than keeping your chips in your rack while you play.  Immediately take notice of where the big blind is.  Casinos require you to post the amount of the big blind on the first hand you play at your table.  This can be avoided by waiting for the big blind to come to you.  If you come into the game in front of the button it is probably worth waiting for the big blind to come around so that you don’t have to pay twice.  Make sure you know the betting limits of the table you sit down at.  You don’t want to look like a novice by bringing less than the minimum buy-in in chips to the table.  Purchase the correct amount of chips and know the blinds at your table before you sit down.

 

  1. You Made It!

 

You are now sitting in your first live poker game.  Stick to the strategy you have learned and follow appropriate etiquette at the table.  Act in turn and in a timely fashion.  You have to remember that the 1-2 no limit game at the Borgata is not the final table of the WSOP.  There is no need for heavy duty acting at the table.  Take time with your decisions but do so in a manner that is respectful and keeps the game moving swiftly. 

 

Here are a few other tips for your first time:

 

·         Protect your cards.  Keep them on the table at all times.  When you look at your hand, make sure you do so in a way where no one else can see them.  When you are in a hand, protect your cards with your hands or a chip.  If they touch any other non-live cards, your hand will be dead, and will be taken from you regardless of the pot-size.

 

·         Be respectful to the dealers.  No need to yell at them for your misfortune.  Tip them appropriately.  Usually one dollar out of decent size pots you win is standard.  You are not obligated to tip but it is a good idea if the dealer is doing a good job of managing the game.  If you happen to have a problem with the game or the dealer call the floor over and they will make a ruling on your issue.

 

 

·         Do not expose your cards during the course of a hand.  That may be a tactic in your home game, but in a casino setting you may be hit by a penalty from the floor or your hand may be ruled dead.

 

·         I can not stress enough the importance of acting in turn.  Acting out of turn provides tons of information to your opponents.  Acting out of turn can lose you huge pots.  Pay attention and follow the flow of the game.

 

·         Head to www.acpokerguys.com for all of your Atlantic City poker information needs.