In this post, I’d like to introduce all the poker newbies out there to playing in a real poker room. You can sit at home and play poker online, but you’ll never get to the WSOP final table until you actually get dressed and head into a real casino. Unfortunately, even if you’ve crushed your home game or online poker, your first trip to a live card room can make you feel like a virgin at Mustang Ranch on payday. Not that I’ve ever done that…but I have been to a ton of poker rooms. Here’s the scoop…
First of all, don’t be intimidated. Pretty much all poker rooms from Club One Casino to the Bellagio have the same basic layout and procedures, and if you’ve played poker before you’ll get the hang of it quickly. Huge card rooms like the Commerce Casino or Bicycle Casino (both in LA) have an information desk at the front entrance. You can ask the attendant to direct you or just wander around and get a feel for the place—the poker area, the tournament area, etc. In Vegas casinos like the Mirage (below), there will usually be a separate poker room with a desk or podium at the front of the room.
Don’t be scared, boys…
In either case, don’t be shy. Tell the attendant it’s your first time and ask them for info on what games or tournaments are being offered. In most cases, they’ll point you to the board area where the games and waitlists are managed. Once there, just ask what games are going and, if you see one you like, let the person managing the board know. He’ll put your name on the waitlist and when a seat opens in the game, he’ll call you over the intercom. And definitely put your name on more than one list. In poker and life, the sexiest games get the most attention. Sometimes it’s better to get a little action from your second choice than go home disappointed!
Some rooms, like the Bicycle Casino, have automated lists that are shown on big TV monitors. Others, like Club One Casino, have a simple dry erase board on which players list their names. Whatever the setup, ask the board person where you should hang out—the bar, the restaurant—and wait for your name to be called, but PAY ATTENTION! If you’re watching TV at the bar and miss your call, you’ll be back on the waitlist watching some other guy work your action.
Su Kim! We have your 20/40 seat!
Can’t be a playa, if you don’t have the ‘roll, right? When you sign up for the games, ask the board-person where you can get chips. Typically, you can buy chips at the cage or cashier or right at the table from a chip runner. In both cases, just tell the attendant what game you’re interested in playing and they’ll hook you up with the chips in use at that table. For example, in a 1/1 no limit game, you might want $40 in $1 chips. If you’re not sure, just ask. Here’s a little Su tip, though. Hit the ATM before you get to the casino. Nothing screams “FISH!” like the guy standing in front of the ATM.
While you’re waiting for your seat, look around the room and get a feel for the place. Better poker rooms have a Code of Conduct posted to make sure new customers know what’s acceptable card room conduct. Even trolls know the basics—no biting or fighting—but there are other poker standards like acting in turn, announcing your bets and not talking during a hand that might not be so obvious. Spend a minute educating yourself and you won’t look like a rookie when you shout “All in!” out of turn.
Once you’re seated at the table, the quickest way to get comfortable is just watch what other players are doing. If you have questions about your turn or the rules, ask the dealer. The dealer is there to manage the game and will be happy to tell you the basics like initial bets, when it’s your turn and minimum and maximum bets. The best way to learn, though, is to simply watch what other players are doing and get in the flow of the game.
Don’t watch me…watch the action!
As a final tip, you should know that live games are different from home games and online play. Just play tight and smart, keep looking for ways to add chips to your stack and you’ll be fine. After a couple of visits to your local card room, you’ll have the confidence to stroll into the big game at Club One Casino with three racks of high society and play like a Doyle Brunson himself!
Su Kim is Head of Player Relations at Club One Casino at Van Ness & Tulare in downtown Fresno. She’s an accomplished live and online player with tournament victories at Club One Casino and the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles.
Su can be reached at sukim@clubonecasino.com.
Club One Casino offers live poker games 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (559) 497-3000 or visit www.clubonecasino.com for details.
