Virgin Here....

[holdemstewart]

Okay, Ive never been to a casino, and I live in Missouri. Im only 18 so internet has been the only cards I could play. Im Miami, Oklahoma, Theres a casino there that you only have to be 18 to play in. So, kinda nervous about playin live for the first time (other than at bars against drunks) so I was wanting a few tips before I headed down there on a four hour drive.

[Talking Poker]

Just relax and don't be intimidated.

Don't act out of turn, and always announce what you are about to do. If you want to raise. SAY raise - don't just throw an oversized chip in, or it's going to be ruled a call. Move your chips into the pot in one motion, so as to not get called for a string bet.

[eejit101]

What TP said basically. And dont let regulars walk all over you depending on what game your playing. If theres a chop on blinds if its limit, see some earlir posts here for this stuff, then only take it if you want to. Dont chase losses, dont go stupid if you double up or something. and most of all, WATCH THEM PLAY, get reads/tells.

[PShabi]

Remeber, you aren't going to play in the WSOP, you are going to play low limit (most likely) poker against gambling idiots who have no idea what the hell is going on.

DO NOT wear:

1) A hooded sweatshirt
2) Sunglasses
3) A poker shirt of some kind

Also, don't sit there and act like a nit or with some stone-cold poker face. Chat it up, make jokes, and act like you are there to gamble with the morons. Just acting loose will mask the fact that you are folding 20 hands in a row.

Last time I played low limit, nofoldemholdem, some 19 year old kid was wearing dark shades with his hoodie pulled up over his head. He was sitting on his feet on the chair and rocking back and forth like a 6 yearold who needed to take a piss.

I made fun of him and everyone laughed.

[GTDawg]

Most definitely

You're going to play some poker and have fun at a casino. It's not a $5000 buyin tourney. So, don't sit there like you're trying to bluff John Chan out of his top two pair.

Sit back, talk to the other players, etc etc.

And, as Shabi said, they won't notice that you've only raised/played 4 hands recently.

Trying to act serious and not draw attention will make you stick out like a sore thumb.

[holdemstewart]

Thanks guys, it really did help. Well, Im leavin now, wish me luck, ill tell ya how I came out Sunday Night.

-John

[holdemstewart]

okay, the trip didnt really go as I planned. Sat down at the $3/$6 at about 7:30 pm, around 9ish I was up a good $150. 10 oclock a 70 year old woman sat down (LOADED). She didnt know how to play, kept asking the dealer, okay, "what can I do now?". In my head, the word DEAD MONEY wouldnt stop shouting. She Raised preflop EVERY hand. I caught QJ on the button and decided to reraise her and see her reaction. She came right over the top of me and reraised. I decided to straight call. the flop comes Qs Jc 2d. Rainbow flop with two pair. I decide to bet the hell out of it. She bet and I reraised. She reraised and I came over the top of her. The turn is a 5s. she bets out 6. I raise to 12. She raises to 18. In my mind, I was starting to think she either had another two pair and I was in good shape, or she hit a set. I just called her raise. The river showed me a 7s. With her moves on the flop, I really didnt put her on the flush cause she kept reraising. Thinking I was in good position, I reraised to 12 after the bet the 6. She reraised and I did too, She turns over 10s-2s. Everyone at the table was kinda like, can you see your cards woman?! I was sooooo pissed. After I left the casino at 4am, I ended up down $100 mostly to the old woman who pulled that stuff out of her ass ALL NIGHT!

[Robbie Robb]

HEY! Don't talk about my grandma like that!

Seriously dude, that SUCKS. The one thing this little anecdote goes to show is that consistent suckouts are not the exclusive domain of the online sites.

{makes mental note to self - next trip to casino, watch out for seventy year old female grinders that pretend not to know what they're doing}

[JDMcNugent7]

At least u got to play live - even tho grandma busted u. lol
I'm 18 and live in Missouri too - kinda weird.

[holdemstewart]

Where at in MO? Maybe we will take a trip to OK together in a few weeks.

[holdemstewart]

im in st. joseph

[holdemstewart]

JD, Any interest in going down to OK, sometime?

-John

[JDMcNugent7]

Me and some buddies have actually really been wanting to do this - it would be cool if we could meet up or sumthin - I'll PM you.