First Time at the Casino

Hey guys, I'm going to a casino for the first time today. I'm average at online poker, but never had the chance to play online with a lot of money before. I'm going to be bringing 100-200$ to the casino to play with, and would like any tips with a bankroll that size, and anything I should know/be prepared for.

I know 100-200 isn't a huge amount of money, but it's the most I've ever had in my bankroll before, so I'm excited and don't want to lose it all, in fact I'd like to try to turn a small profit if I can.

So, like I said, any advice for a poker newbie? I know basic theory, like basic tournament play and sit and go play, and I'm alright at cash games and know basic betting structures like when to 3-bet etc, but I'm nervous and blanking a little, so any quick overview of things to remember mid game, stakes I should play with my bankroll, tournament stakes I should play in, etc. I'm thinking of entering a few satelites, playing 25-50 cent poker, and hitting the blackjack tables a little to try to boost my bankroll by 50$ or so, and then towards the end, enter a tournament or two if I have time.

As well, my girlfriend is coming and she's never played poker before. She'd like advice on what she can do. She's going to have around 50$ to play with, so sh was woindering what types of games she should play, any poker, or slots, or roullete etc?

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Tiberius

Let me know how it goes, I don't have any advice for you, since I've never played live either. I am looking to make the transition though, I'm just not sure what to do

Sure thing! One of the biggest things I'm doing is reviewing my ABC poker so that, if I start to panic or blank out, or get lost, I can automatically fall back onto that. As well, I'm reviewing my basic bank roll management. I'll probably be bringing in 20-25 BB into no limit, and playing Tight-aggressive to start until I get a handle on my nerves, and start to learn to read the table.

My best advice is don't get intimidated. Take some time and play tight until the butterflies go away and you get a sense of the table. Let us know how you did.

all trappers do not wear fur hats....take your time and watch every hand for a bit and fold alot until you can get a bit of a feel for the other players. players are all different, there are always one or two that will be very bet happy...beware when they are checking it to you and remember if they are calling its usually for a very good reason...or is it? maybe waiting to steal if a scare card comes....learn your opponents as cards are not nearly as important as a good read

Real fast, can anyone link me to a good guide to playing ABC poker? I want to go over it a few times.

playing live is the same online you just gotta pay more attetion to players n find out their tells. just dont get scared n play a different game

My advice would be if you get ahead at the Blackjack table, walk away, cause those runs can be positive or negative real fast. For poker, See if they're offering like a $20-30 buy in tourney and that might help with your butterflies. I know a couple casinos near here run tournys like that daily. Gl whatever you do.

Oh and Tiberius, you should also dress up like a Roman emperor to match your name, if that's your real name, and try to catch them off guard(while they stare at you confused) and take down some some pots quickly....

God damn it CKC. Nah, it's not my real name ;) Also, I don't think this casino offers smaller tournaments, but I might be wrong, the website isn't very informative, and the people I'm going with either haven't been there before, or don't care about tournaments. If there is a small tournament or Sit and go or anything similar, I'm gonna hit it up to get a feel for live play :)

19th birthday, I love Canada <3

It's Casino Rama in Ontario. I really don't think they have small tournaments, which sucks :( I signed up for a Club Card though! :D

So, I got in and was nervous as hell. Won 60$ at blackjack, then dropped down to 30$ in winnings after going up and down a bit. Finally my seat opened up just as we were leaving, and we stayed an extra hour to play.

So my dad sits down across the table about 5 minutes after I do. I've been talking to the guy next to me, he's 37 and has been playing for 20 years. He knows I'm new and tries to fuck with me. He gave me some legitimate advice on the rules and players around me, but I had position on him, and he kept slipping in shit advice between the simple things.

At one point, he told me that since I'm shortstacked (We both had the same chipcount though, 60-80$ 1/2 NLH) that I had to pick a hand and go all in. I look him in the eyes and say, "Ya man, gotta make one or two big bluffs and I'll win some money, y'know?" and he just looks at me and says, "yup that's how it's done in poker, all bluffing." What a bullshitter :P He was by far the best guy at the table though.

So, my dad plays a hand with pocket 2's, losts 50$ in chips to a rivered pair of queens. At this point, I realize two things. 1) The guy with the queens sucks. He's drunk, thinks he's amazing, has a huge stack of chips, and is the first fish I'm ever going to see. The next thing that occurs, happens when the guy to my left leans in, points out my dad without realizing I know him, and tells me to watch that guy as well, he's not good at poker. I realize my dad is the second fish I've seen.

So, I lose 6$ twice betting preflop in position (On the button, and LP) on AJ O, realize I made a mistake, and flopped nothing. then I get my first win, pull out 30$ in blinds, bet 1/3 the pot on the flop and get all folds.

I'm on the button again, after about a half an hour or so. Look at my hand, AA. Oh fuck yes. 4 limpers behind me, I don't know why I didn't bet 10, but I got nervous and bet 3X the BB, for a 6$ bet. They all call, including my dad. The flop comes,

7c 8c Kh

I bet 10$, get 1 call, 2 folds, my dad bets another 10. I call, the other 2 fold. Turn brings a useless card. I bet half the pot for the majority of my chips. He calls me. River:

A d

I bet the last of my stack. My dad shows 8 K. The tables starts congratulating him for knocking out his son. I flip the AA, the whole table goes quiet, then laughs louder than I've heard all night. My dad nods at me, and walks out. I play a few more hands until the BB is about to hit me, and leave the tables to head out with my dad. He gave me a nice pat on the back and asked for 25$ back of the 50 I got from him. I said nope, and we both laughed and our group left the casino.

A good time, and a good night. I did alright at poker, played OK ABC. Shouldn't have been in with AJ o, but oh well. Won a bit, got a good laugh, and realized it's not quiet as scary as I thought. All in all, a good 19th birthday, an amazing night.

Ended up winning 60$ or so for the night, but I had given my girlfriend 35$, and bought some food and drinks, so I came out even :P but my girlfriend only spent 5$ on slots so she's still got 30$ ;D Alls well that ends well, y'know? Blackjack is a ton of fun :P And the people I met at the tables were nice. One guy was playing for fun, first time at a casino in years, and he found out it was my birthday and bought me a beer. hehe. Another guy felt lucky and put 5$ on my PP, and won 120, and gave me the original 5 as a thanks :P

Well cant beat a free night of entertainment at the casino.

Sounds like you had a good time. I think there are tournaments at Fallsview in Niagara Falls, Ontario if you dare to venture that way. Check online to find out when they do host tournaments. Good luck in the future and Happy Birthday! :)

My first time at a casino was my most profitable.

well gl always like live poker vs online try your luck see how you like it

First time going to the casino I was Hella lucky. twice a straight came up on the turn and i ended up +$300 in 30 minutes. Just make sure you stop when you're up.

How different is casino games versus online at the same stakes?

Man I remember my first live poker tourney when i turned 21 at local casino. 25 dollar buy in with rebuys. I was able to last with only one buy in and fount myself heads up for the tourney, where I held a 3-1 chip lead at least. LOL guy wanted to make a deal and split the tops two spots and i said no which he was not to happy bout. very next hand took him out with my k7s-q7. Ended paying me just under 600. Very cool for me being my first tourney and all

yeah i recall my first trip to the casino, the lights all the sounds and ppl it was awsome and i love it

if you only have 200 and she has 50 Id say skip it and save ur monies cuz you need more ammo

I remembered not being able to show my glee at having aces. I would play with my friends a lot, but when its for real money my heart was pounding at a whole different level.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tiberiussilver

So, I got in and was nervous as hell. Won 60$ at blackjack, then dropped down to 30$ in winnings after going up and down a bit. Finally my seat opened up just as we were leaving, and we stayed an extra hour to play.

So my dad sits down across the table about 5 minutes after I do. I've been talking to the guy next to me, he's 37 and has been playing for 20 years. He knows I'm new and tries to fuck with me. He gave me some legitimate advice on the rules and players around me, but I had position on him, and he kept slipping in shit advice between the simple things.

At one point, he told me that since I'm shortstacked (We both had the same chipcount though, 60-80$ 1/2 NLH) that I had to pick a hand and go all in. I look him in the eyes and say, "Ya man, gotta make one or two big bluffs and I'll win some money, y'know?" and he just looks at me and says, "yup that's how it's done in poker, all bluffing." What a bullshitter :P He was by far the best guy at the table though.

So, my dad plays a hand with pocket 2's, losts 50$ in chips to a rivered pair of queens. At this point, I realize two things. 1) The guy with the queens sucks. He's drunk, thinks he's amazing, has a huge stack of chips, and is the first fish I'm ever going to see. The next thing that occurs, happens when the guy to my left leans in, points out my dad without realizing I know him, and tells me to watch that guy as well, he's not good at poker. I realize my dad is the second fish I've seen.

So, I lose 6$ twice betting preflop in position (On the button, and LP) on AJ O, realize I made a mistake, and flopped nothing. then I get my first win, pull out 30$ in blinds, bet 1/3 the pot on the flop and get all folds.

I'm on the button again, after about a half an hour or so. Look at my hand, AA. Oh fuck yes. 4 limpers behind me, I don't know why I didn't bet 10, but I got nervous and bet 3X the BB, for a 6$ bet. They all call, including my dad. The flop comes,

7c 8c Kh

I bet 10$, get 1 call, 2 folds, my dad bets another 10. I call, the other 2 fold. Turn brings a useless card. I bet half the pot for the majority of my chips. He calls me. River:

A d

I bet the last of my stack. My dad shows 8 K. The tables starts congratulating him for knocking out his son. I flip the AA, the whole table goes quiet, then laughs louder than I've heard all night. My dad nods at me, and walks out. I play a few more hands until the BB is about to hit me, and leave the tables to head out with my dad. He gave me a nice pat on the back and asked for 25$ back of the 50 I got from him. I said nope, and we both laughed and our group left the casino.

A good time, and a good night. I did alright at poker, played OK ABC. Shouldn't have been in with AJ o, but oh well. Won a bit, got a good laugh, and realized it's not quiet as scary as I thought. All in all, a good 19th birthday, an amazing night.

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Thanks for the great story! Keep this memory in your head every time you play poker. Those days where the best days of my poker playing days and your story brought back great memory's of my own. Thanks Again

good story. sounds like a fun time over all and that is what people have to remember that poker is suppose to be fun first.

just play penny slots and roulette numbers.

im still very new to live poker but it kind of intimidates you at first. Don't let people intimidate you and stand your ground. I played scared my first tournament and it hurt me, but after a while I didn't let people get to me and it made my play better.

I need to get back to the casino soon