What do I need to know about the rules in Vegas?

Crubeens

Heading to Vegas soon for the first time and plan to play a whole lot of Hold 'em. Is there anything I need to know about the way they play over there? Are any of the rules or table etiquette different?

cardshark202

You may string bet and berate your opponents when they call you and hit their runner runner gutshot draw.

fixer

string bets are more loosely defined. declare raise and you can do what you want until your hand comes to rest. even without declaration, you can extend a stack of chips and let them fall off the bottom one by one and stop when you want, as long as you don't go back for more chips.

Speech play isn't only allowed, it's probably mandatory.

the Commit Line isn't always in use, so watch out for arguments about "forward motion of chips", especially in limit.

A minimum re-raise is double the previous raise, not double the total bet.

If you want to think over your action on a hand, be ready to call out "time" or action will pass you by.

rx8

Keep an eye out for the house players (shills) especially downtown in Binions.
I had one at my table a few weeks ago, and he busted out a lot of players,as there was no cap on the amount you could bring to the table.Also,suspiciously enough,he kept getting premium hands,(AA,KK,QQ AK) and he couldn't believe I folded KK on a Q high flop.Even though he was holding QQ.My other half (Smurph) had 2 of them trying to double-team her,but she spotted it and left.
I hope this doesn't put you off,because it won't stop us from going back again next year. Best of luck anyway!

5starpool

If you are planning on playing tournaments then get an ITIN (tax number) before you go from the tax office otherwise they will likely try to withold 30% of any winnings.

dunkamania

What happens in Vegas,stays in Vegas

smurph

In the cash games it was quite normal that when a hand goes down to 2 players in a pot, and lets say player A bets on the river and player B is thinking about it player A shows one of his cards.

Thought it was a bit strange but was funny aswell. I found that when we went over the first 2 days we were a bit nervous, but just sat there for a few orbits and its fairly quick to pick up (the americans aren't subtle). Ask the dealer if you have any questions, they were very good.

The next comments are a little biase but I can't recommend the Poker room in Ceasers Palace highly enough. Very friendly staff and any problems at table sorted quickly. I found it the best atmosphere and the tables, while tough were good fun. Hardly anyone listens to music while playing, which was unusual.

Anyway hope you have a brillant time, the only iffy place was the Cash game in Binnions. It was the only place that did a feeder table to the main cash game. Anyway played for about an hour and then got moved to the main cash table. 3 Local guys were playing at the table, and it went something like this. Player A bets, player b raises, you call, player c re-raises. They were like a tag team. I thought it stuck out like a sore thumb. They also had the 3 biggest stacks at the table. After a while one of them comments "missie you don't play much hands". I replied "nah I don't like playing 3 against 1", and cashed out fairly shortly after that.
.
The tournament in binnions were good, and you can't go to Vegas without going and checking out freemont street area.,

I preferred the $1 $2 no limit games. Minimum buy in $100 and maximum $500, the binnions was the only $1 $2 with no ceiling on the buy-ins.

Never made it to the Rio, too busy falling in love with the Ceasers Palace.

Any have a great time, I miss it so much, took about 3weeks to come down from the high.


I'll be back next year......................can't wait

kakak1

it is not uncommon that when all players fold except the SB & BB that you agree to deal & take back your blind. I was not familiar with this and when I raised the BB it was frowned on. I think if you are willing to deal once it is expected you always deal so that you won't be raising on only the premium hands

Lafortezza

Loads of speech play.
Expect to be asked to chop the blind (just take them back) if it is folded all the way around.
There is loads of min raising. If you have a huge hand it may be better to min raise, there's very little of the pot sized raising you might be used to in the Fitz.

jacQues

Betting is like online; min-raise is a raise equal of the last raise. So a raise to $10 then a raise to $20 means the next min-raise is $30 and not $40 as you might expect. Because of this there is no reason to keep chips out so the dealers move chips into the middle during betting. This may look weird at first, but it makes sense as its very clear what the next min-raise would be (since only the raise stays out and not the total bet).

Chopping is done when its folded around. Usually the SB and BB will take back their blinds, regardless of hand mind you. I saw people chop while holding AA. Its considered the right thing to do in most places.

Shills do play in some places but they cannot call/raise. This means that they will always check/fold, whatever the hand. They are used to get tables started.

Proposition players play in some places too. These are staff members playing with their own money. They are still on duty and get paid for their time, but any money won/lost is their own.

jacQues

fixer

Learn the minimum hands to qualify for a jackpot. don't chop if you have a jackpot hand.