Do's and Dont's in Live Games

[jglenny]

After playing for quite a while online im now going to try my luck at a live game at my local casino. Has anyone got any tips on things i should and and shouldn't do so i don't make a fool of myself. Im not the best at dealing but thought this may actually give me an advantage if i look like a rookie?

Main thing im worried about is the dealing part, im usually ok when playing with friends but playing with strangers is going to be a whole new experience.

[Raiser]

I ve never been to a casino to play poker but iam 99.9% sure that there will be a fully trained dealer!! - all you have to do is sit back and enjoy yourself!!!

[Chipfire.]

I ve never been to a casino to play poker but iam 99.9% sure that there will be a fully trained dealer!! - all you have to do is sit back and enjoy yourself!!!

That's not always the case - Depends on the game in my limited experience.
Low stakes tourneys are self deal.
I played a £10 tourney (+£1 to the casino) - which with 51 players is not enough to justify dealer I suppose. With luck there is someone there who knows what they're doing.

Ring games would have a dealer.

As for do and don'ts just maintain the integrity of the game for starters -

ie keep those cards low and keep on top of who is in and who is out. scoop the pot together and keep the muck tidy ish in one place so you know what's in play and what isn't.

After a few rounds it all became obvious but side pots still make my head ache!

Why not play at a Live Poker League game for free and learn the ropes without the pressure of big money!!

[Dice Man]

If you're interested in looking like a rookie, here's a great, simple tip.
Just talk slower than you normally would. The speed somebody talks at is an indicator of their intelligence, so if you talk slower people will think you're stupid, and you'll be able to slow play better. Regional accents are also good!

[FirePhil]

I ve never been to a casino to play poker but iam 99.9% sure that there will be a fully trained dealer!! - all you have to do is sit back and enjoy yourself!!!

In tournaments only at the final table in my experience. The tournament fees would have to be very high to cover dealers for every table. At the Gustshot in London the lowest stakes cash game is are self dealt and the higher ones have a dealer, I'm not sure if this is common practice or not as I haven't played cash games anywhere else.

The best tip I can give you is don't try to deal too fast - people will be more pissed off if you misdeal or expose cards than if you're just a bit slow so take your time, especially the first few rounds until you're more comfortable doing it. This was a concern I had the first time I went to play at a casino but you just forget about it once you start playing.

[jglenny]

Cheers for the tips so far, there is no dealer until the final table. It's a £30 buy in, no re-buys and no limit. The reception guy said they can't justify having a dealer on every table.

[Top Pair Ace Kicker]

DONT
1 - Punch the air when you get pocket Aces and shout "Woo Hoo!"
2 - Punch the lucky git who eventually outdraws you with runner, runner, runner, flush.
3 - Have a few drinks beforehand to calm your nerves. Cleaning vomit off the felt can be a very time consuming business... (well thats what i heard anyway, i was passed out at the time)
4 - Goose the waitresses as they walk past the table. You wont be able to see your cards with a black eye.
5 - Leave your chips unguarded at the table when you go for a pee. Poker players are all crooks, thieves, liars and cheats. I should know.

Hmmm not sure that has come out like I meant it to.

DO
1 - Wear as much of the following as possible - Sunglasses, Headphones, Baseball Caps, Poker emblazoned clothing. This will signal you as a "player" who is not to be missed with. It will also stop you from either seeing or hearing all the other players sniggering at you behind your back.

2 - Raise every time with 7-2 off suit, then flip them over and start laughing when the other players fold. Everyone loves a comic!

3 - Try to make friends with the people on your immediate left and right. This will stop them raising your blinds, and when you raise from the small blind, it will usually make them lay down, as you obviously wouldnt raise with shite against your new found friends.

4 - Ask "how much have you got left" EVERY time someone raises a pot. Then count your chips out to either match what they have, or find out how much you have left. Then fold.

5 - Wear fast running shoes, or take a big bloke with you, if you have any intention of winning. Oh. and park in a well lit area.

6 - HAVE FUN

[Terminator]

Another one to add to your "do" list mate, when someone raises and you know your not going to call it in a million years, umm and arr about it for a while, then eventually fold and say something like "I'd have called for a little bit less".

(eg: if they raise 300, you say you would have called for 250, or if they raise 600, you would have called for 500).

[Chipfire.]

Another don't is -

when eliminated don't knock over your drink! Done that twice now!!!! Once all over the cards and once an elbow back into a cappucino that went everywhere. I place drinks a mile away now.

[John Holmes' Stunt C**K]

Get cocky, ie, think you've won the hand when the other person still has an out.

My example was in a live tourny on sat night - got to heads up, with the stack 60:40 in my favour.

I was holding Q 5 sitting on the BB
He called.

Flop was Q Q 5 , I couldn't believe my luck

He raised the smallest amount, which I called, and a 2 appeared on the turn.

He then called all-in, at which point I called. He turned over pocket aces, I flipped over my FH house, and announced to everyone I had won, and went to pick up my winnings. At this point, he announced I can still lose if the river turns up a 5 or an Ace. Thankfully neither appeared. Would have looked pretty silly if one had