Player's Stories

Okay, Okay…. I'm Ready For Live Action Now!
By Al Spath

After having played on-line for several months, new players are itching to play live at a casino, and don't want to look foolish or inexperienced (like a fish), while venturing into new, un-chartered waters. So, I thought I'd cover a few items that may help players thinking about playing some "live" action, but may be reluctant to take the next step.

Most of the points I'm about to make are common to most "legalized" card rooms and casinos. The poker industry is working towards reaching an accepted (standardized) set of guidelines that everyone can endorse, and although not yet carved in stone, the following content is consistent with acceptable practices found throughout U.S. based gaming establishments.

Getting Started - When you enter a poker room in a casino/card room in California or Nevada, you must first find the location to signup for play, and have your name put on the waiting list. The waiting list is usually on a whiteboard hanging behind a raised podium, or a new electronic flat-screen, visible to everyone, where a person will greet you. They will ask you what type games you wish to play and what are your initials (they list everyone by initials). You can have them put your name on as many waiting lists of games going as they have (2/4, 3/6, 5/10, 10/20 hold'em,' stud, omaha etc.). If you happen to select a game that does not have a full table, they won't put your initials on the waiting list, but instead will direct you to your table and you may select an empty seat, or the only remaining seat open when you arrive at the table. Note: Always ask the dealer before you sit down. A player at the table may have requested a seat change when they finish the hand they are in and they have first choice and can change seats before you sit and purchase chips.

Chips can usually be purchased from the dealer at your table in most casinos and card rooms; however, some smaller rooms might sell you the chips at the sign-up podium. If you purchase chips at the table, lay your money "on the table," in front of you where the dealer can reach it. The dealer will give you the amount of chips you want and your change. It is wise to announce the amount of chips you wish to purchase. For example, you may only want $60 worth and you've laid a $100 bill on the table. If you don't have chips and want to get into the hand right away, you can use your paper money until you get chips (some casino's do not permit paper money to play and you must wait for chips). Your chips should remain directly in front of you and near the rail of the table (they can be slightly to the left or right of you to allow you to look at your cards). If you wish to move to a similar sized (betting limit) table, just tell the floor person and you will be added to a "floor" list. You will be called when a seat opens and it's your turn for the "table change." Players already playing on the floor have first choice over anyone on the master signup board waiting list. If you decide to leave the immediate poker room area, or an area not covered by the public address system, your name may be called and if you do not respond, your seat will be given to the next person and your name removed from the waiting list (for the game called).

Players request to change tables for various reasons: the table they are at might be too tight, too loose, a bully might annoy them, or they want to play at a table where maybe they know the styles of the players seated. Heck, it could be to have a better view of the entire card room, the cards on the board, the waiting lists, or a television screen. Note: viewing sporting events while playing could be detrimental to your survival.

Betting - Cards are dealt and bets are made in clockwise order. Someone sitting at the table will have the dealer button (a round white disk), in front of them indicating they are the designated dealer for that hand although there is a real dealer who will act on everyone's behalf and will shuffle up and deal each hand. Just like online poker, the two positions (clockwise/left), from the dealer button are known as the "Blinds," and have to post a pre-determined forced bet amount that you can have posted automatically. The Small Blind is to the left of the button, and the Big Blind is just left of the Small Blind. Unlike on-line poker, everyone at a "live" table must physically "post" their blinds (post means you put the amount of the blind in front of you where the dealer can easily reach). In a 2/4 game the small blind will post $1 and the big blind $2. So, each time the dealer button goes a full turn around the table, each player will have posted a total of three dollars. The higher the limits, the higher the blinds will become. Note: There are maximum betting limits in all "fixed limit" hold em' games, and no one is permitted to bet more than that amount.

The amount of the bet varies as the hand progresses. Example: In a limit $10/$20 game, the betting limits are $10-$20 for the first two rounds, and then they jump in increments up to $20-$40 after the turn card. Caution, there are several variations of games that you have played online and it is not uncommon to have a Spread Limit game in Vegas, where the bettor can wager an amount within the spread limits set for that particular table. It might be anywhere from $1 to $8 at a spread table, and any raise must then be at least double the original bet. In pot-limit games, the money already in the pot determines the maximum bet allowed, and the person betting can count the amount they could call, as part of the entire pot, when determining the overall maximum amount they can bet. In no-limit games, players can bet any amount up to and including all of their chips.

Other related explanations and guidelines:

1. Table Stakes - You may play with only the chips on the table in front of you. Some casinos still allow you to play additional paper money. In addition, they may have a set amount of paper money that can play. For example, in some card rooms, only "$100 plays." You can only bet up to the amount of chips (and cash) that you have on the table during a given hand. You cannot reach in your pocket for more money (that only happens on TV westerns). Many casinos will have you remove all your chips from the rack when you are seated, and you are then not permitted to have a rack holder on the table. Fumbling to get chips out of the rack slows down the game. Your initial buy-in should be about 15-20 times the big bet allowed in a "limit" game. So for a 2/4 game, you can purchase $60 - $80 worth of chips and feel comfortable at the table with the size of your chip stack. Some players like to buy a full rack with a hundred chips, but you are not required to do so. However, there is a minimum buy-in amount at each table, usually 5 times the big bet amount (Example: at a 3/6 limit table, $30 will be the least amount of chips you can start with). At NL tables, there will be a minimum and a maximum amount of chips that a new player may sit down with. It is to your advantage to sit with the maximum amount allowed. Note: There is no chip sharing at the table, so don't try to loan a friend some chips from your stack, it will not be permitted. You may give someone cash to purchase chips, but keep in mind that you are then playing against your own money. In addition, two players cannot play from the same stack. You are not permitted to leave the table and have someone else play your chips for you.
2. String Bets - Putting in a calling bet, then going back for more chips and adding to your bet while then announcing, "raise" is a "string bet," and is not permitted. If you want to raise, announce, "RAISE", before you make any betting motion with chips. In a limit game, a raise is double the betting limit. In no limit you should announce the exact amount of the raise since you can bet any amount up to all-in. Your announced raise is then clearly understood by the dealer and the players at the table, and it won't matter if you fumble with chips or go back and forth to your chip stack in making your bet, as long as you have announced the precise amount of the bet you are making.
3. Going All-In - When you don't have enough chips to cover a bet, you can announce "All-In," and you are then in the pot for only the portion of the pot your money covered until that point. Although you are now out of chips, the other players can continue to bet and a "side-pot" that will be established and you are not eligible to win (even if you have the best overall hand at showdown). Your entitlement remains solely with the main pot, which is all the money you covered prior to running out of chips. Should you go "all-in" and you have more chips than your opponent, they may call up to the amount of their entire stack and the overage of chips that you bet will then be returned to you by the dealer. If paper money at the table is permitted, your all-in bet must include the cash as well.
4. Splashing The Pot - When you make any bet, simply and neatly, put the chips directly in front of your position at the table where the dealer can reach them. Do not toss them out onto the table and have them roll or bounce into the main pot (usually located in the middle of the table, directly in front of the actual dealer). This is "splashing the pot" and may not allow the dealer to precisely count the chips you actually placed during the bet. Additionally, when the bet is made in front of you and neatly, the players at the far end of the table can see the entire table, who bet, and the amount.
5. Protecting your Cards (hand) - It is very advisable that you place a chip or small object on your cards after you have looked at them. It lets the dealer know your cards are in play. If not, and when it is your turn to act, the dealer may sweep away your unprotected cards into the muck, thinking you wanted to fold. Not being attentive at the table can cost you a pot. The dealer may remind you once or twice to protect your hand, but you might find another dealer sitting down who won't continue to remind you and they will pick up unprotected cards. Additionally, all cards must remain in plain sight and you should not remove them "away" from the table. The best way to view your cards is to shield them with your other hand and peek at the two corners of the cards. You can see which cards you have (something you should practice remembering, as you should avoid frequent looks at your cards - it's a tell). At the end of any hand, if you are not sure whether you have the winning hand, turn the cards over and place them just in front or your stack and keep your hand on them until the dealer calls out the winning hand. Cards speak, so when in doubt, let the dealer make a final determination, you could miss your flush and hit a straight and not realize it. Make sure you see a winning hand, as some players may miss read their hand and announce a hand that they do not hold. Once you muck your cards (turning your cards face down and sliding them towards the dealer), you hand will be declared "dead."
6. Time - If you have a question or need a little more time to make a decision, simply say "time" so the dealer can hear you. This freezes the action and allows you to get an issue resolved, or for you to make a final decision to bet or not (you might be counting the bets in the pot to determine pot odds). You should not abuse time requests, as players like to play at a table with few interruptions.
7. Acting in Turn - As the play proceeds clockwise around the table, you must wait until it is your turn to act. Don't attempt to muck your cards or make a bet prior to your turn, it is impolite and provides information and an advantage to someone yet to act at the table. You have the option to announce your action (as in "I check"), or you may make a knock or rap on the table to indicate that you check. Should you be called at showdown, you are required to turn over your cards on the table. If you are the caller, you may choose to muck a losing hand; however, some casinos will allow others seated at the table to ask for your hand to be shown. If you decide to flash your cards to a player sitting next to you as you go to muck your cards, the dealer may instruct you to turn your cards face up. The rule is: show one, show all!
8. Don't Discuss Hands While In Play - Any discussions of a hand should be done when the hand is over (the best time is during the shuffle). Never talk about or show your cards to anyone while the hand in progress, even if you or they are not contesting the pot.
9. Tipping - It is common practice for the winner of each hand to tip (tote), the dealer at the end of the hand. In most low limit games the dealer receives a dollar or two from the winner. The size of the tip is generally determined by the size of the pot won, or by the betting limits in your game. In large games the tips run higher. There are players who tip well at any level table they play. You are not required to match their generosity but you are expected to contribute something to the dealer, although you not required.
10. Cashing Out - When you get ready to leave (I suggest just prior to you having to post your big blind again), you can tell the dealer, "deal me out." They will pass you by and you may then put your chips back into an empty chip racks found throughout the card room. Hopefully you need many racks and have had a winning session. Take your chips to either the podium where you purchased them, or to the cashier cage in the poker room. They will cash you out and thank you for your play.
11. Comps - Find out before you start playing if you can earn comps for playing a certain number of hours (just ask the floor person). Some casinos will provide you with a meal comp and in addition, when booking a room, call ahead and always check with the poker room directly for a "poker rate." Again, based on daily play, you may save yourself a tremendous amount of money each day for your room and meals.

Being prepared to play poker means you are not distracted, feeling ill, or playing with the rent money. You should have a positive attitude, be mentally alert, know the rules, play solid aggressive poker, and know when to quit. Having read this article I hope some of the initial fears of playing "live" have been quieted by the knowledge you now bring with you to the card room.

"Raise more than call, fold more than raise!"

Comments to: AlSpath@pokerschoolonline.com