Poker in Vegas for Beginners

bmacma

hi all,

going to vegas in April, want to play some poker but never played in a casino before. Only played hold em with a few mates.

Any suggestions on where to go for beginners games so I don't lose a fortune or make a complete fool of myself not knowing the rules etc?

Also, want to play some blackjack. Same questions applied although blackjack is surely easier to not mess up in?


cheers

TrueDub

bmacma wrote: »

hi all,

going to vegas in April, want to play some poker but never played in a casino before. Only played hold em with a few mates.

Any suggestions on where to go for beginners games so I don't lose a fortune or make a complete fool of myself not knowing the rules etc?

Also, want to play some blackjack. Same questions applied although blackjack is surely easier to not mess up in?


cheers

Blackjack

First thought: do not be afraid to ask for help from dealers when playing blackjack. They'll happily help you, and will be even more friendly if you remember their kindness with a tip every so often while you play.

If you go to smaller (scruffier) places like O'Sheas, Casino Royale or the Imperial Palace you'll find $5 or even $1 blackjack tables - a good way to learn without costing yourself a fortune. Most of the bigger hotels start at $10, but you might be lucky especially during the day.

Have a google for standard blackjack strategy guides, they're a help, and have a look at the payout schedule beside the table before sitting down - tables that pay 3 to 2 for blackjacks are the best, other odds give the house more of an edge.

Some casinos offer free lessons, use these if you can.

Poker

I may get slated for this, but if you're unfamiliar with the procedure and etiquette of a casino poker table, try playing some $2-$4 limit poker to start with - same hold 'em rules but the betting amounts are set. This is a good way to learn without losing your shirt.

Basic tips:

always announce your bets ("call", "raise 5 million dollars" etc) and remember you're not allowed do the Irish thing of "I see your 50 and raise you 300".
Don't discuss your holding when you've folded
Don't be afraid to go with your gut - you're only playing for fun
Tip the dealer when you win, tip your waitress for the drinks


Final note: Get a lesson in how to play craps, then do it, preferably at a full table of people in cowboy hats - if someone gets on a roll you can a) make a few bob and b) have an absolute blast!!

Enjoy!

bmacma

TrueDub wrote: »

Blackjack

First thought: do not be afraid to ask for help from dealers when playing blackjack. They'll happily help you, and will be even more friendly if you remember their kindness with a tip every so often while you play.

Enjoy!

Thanks for all the detail, excellent stuff.

pkaces

Blackjack

you can buy a strategy card( about the size of a credit card) from the souvenir shops in the casinos for about $2. I got one from Excalibur's shop. people freely use them at the tables

checkraise5

I felt like you going over first time but after about 10 minutes play in The MGM i felt comfortable. Best thing about poker in vegas no matter where you play, is the yanks think we are fish and they are much better than us, so use this to your advantage.:D I found the standard on most cash tables really bad and made a really nice profit for my week. Good luck.

Mellor

TrueDub wrote: »

always announce your bets ("call", "raise 5 million dollars" etc) and remember you're not allowed do the Irish thing of "I see your 50 and raise you 300".

That's not an Irish thing, it's a cowboy movie thing

pkaces wrote: »

Blackjack

you can buy a strategy card( about the size of a credit card) from the souvenir shops in the casinos for about $2. I got one from Excalibur's shop. people freely use them at the tables

The casino don't mind you using them, for a very good reason

jem

some of the cash games very soft, be carefull though, quite a few day to day pros work the small buy in tables. the thinking is lot of poor players with cash= handy living, happy top take 500 profit per day. so keep your eyes open for the v good player.
second thing to be careful of is the yanks will call you down with sfa and can hit rivers because of it, I know i got hurt by the Miracle river mor than once while over there.
There are a lot of very poor players so with a bit of luck profit can be made.

bmacma

Probably some really stupid questions here:

1) Can you join a table at any time if there is a free place at the table by simply sitting and putting your chips on the table?

2) Can you leave a table at any time once you've had enough or feel you are up/down enough?

3) Are most of the games limited to raising the big blind or the last amount raised?

4) Will you be given out to by other players if you don't realise it's your turn to pay the small blind/big blind/check etc?

RocketRonnie

bmacma wrote: »

Probably some really stupid questions here:

1) Can you join a table at any time if there is a free place at the table by simply sitting and putting your chips on the table?

2) Can you leave a table at any time once you've had enough or feel you are up/down enough?

3) Are most of the games limited to raising the big blind or the last amount raised?

4) Will you be given out to by other players if you don't realise it's your turn to pay the small blind/big blind/check etc?

1- No, give your name at the poker desk and wait to be called

2- Yes

3- No most games are No-Limit, you can raise what you like. There will be limit tables aswell but these tables can be very boring

4- The dealer will tell you what to do, but the yanks will probably give out to you if it takes you to long after a while

Hoki

I was there for the 1st time in december & started off playing cash in the mgm - very soft , the dealer was very accomodating & patient for a friend of mine who would be like yourself .

We then moved onto the Venetian which had way more cash tables running at any hour of the day than any other casino , a lot more experienced players play here but the standard at the $1/$2 tables isnt great .

Was pretty hard to find low stakes cash table running during the early part of the day, i think the Mgm & Venetian were probably the best for these stakes.

As for Blackjack - i had never really played it but started it one night after a few drinks in our hotel ( circus circus ) only because they had a $3 table which i was happy to donate to . Fun game , especially when your " the table " that everyone is watching!

bmacma

Hard question to answer but how much cash would you need to have to play some poker on the cheap tables over the course of a few days. I know it depends on wins etc and my wife isn't gonna put up with all day gambling but just wondering how much cash would be needed for 4 days in Vegas? Approximately, not planning to go too lavish in terms of nightclubs/restaurants/shows etc.

DAMO72

bmacma wrote: »

Hard question to answer but how much cash would you need to have to play some poker on the cheap tables over the course of a few days. I know it depends on wins etc and my wife isn't gonna put up with all day gambling but just wondering how much cash would be needed for 4 days in Vegas? Approximately, not planning to go too lavish in terms of nightclubs/restaurants/shows etc.

CHEAPSKATE:eek:. WTF are you going to vegas for :rolleyes::rolleyes:.
If your not going to be too lavish then forget the pokers and spend the money your gonna donk off at the tables on the mrs instead .

bmacma

DAMO72 wrote: »

CHEAPSKATE:eek:. WTF are you going to vegas for :rolleyes::rolleyes:.
If your not going to be too lavish then forget the pokers and spend the money your gonna donk off at the tables on the mrs instead .

Haha.. fair point but there is recesssion going on!!

Forget the lavish comments, how much cash for 4 days in Vegas?

GKidd

DAMO72 wrote: »

CHEAPSKATE:eek:. WTF are you going to vegas for :rolleyes::rolleyes:.
If your not going to be too lavish then forget the pokers and spend the money your gonna donk off at the tables on the mrs instead .

That's it I'm outta here. Damo Kent being considerate towards da wimmins feelings indeed..

DAMO72

GKidd wrote: »

That's it I'm outta here. Damo Kent being considerate towards da wimmins feelings indeed..

You see yous have me all wrong .
Im just a big cuddly sensative touchy feely type of guy:eek:

Lplate

bmacma wrote: »

Hard question to answer but how much cash would you need to have to play some poker on the cheap tables over the course of a few days. I know it depends on wins etc and my wife isn't gonna put up with all day gambling but just wondering how much cash would be needed for 4 days in Vegas? Approximately, not planning to go too lavish in terms of nightclubs/restaurants/shows etc.

Seriously, seperate your holiday cash and use it so that you can BOTH enjoy the trip. There's so much to see and do. Whatever you can afford to lose after this, use it for poker. Despite the games being really soft, winning isn't a foregone conclusion. I would recommend the MGM also as there are almost always plenty of games on and the general standard isn't so high. Have a great time!

Rattled77

Hoki wrote: »

I was there for the 1st time in december & started off playing cash in the mgm - very soft , the dealer was very accomodating & patient for a friend of mine who would be like yourself .

We then moved onto the Venetian which had way more cash tables running at any hour of the day than any other casino , a lot more experienced players play here but the standard at the $1/$2 tables isnt great .

Was pretty hard to find low stakes cash table running during the early part of the day, i think the Mgm & Venetian were probably the best for these stakes.

As for Blackjack - i had never really played it but started it one night after a few drinks in our hotel ( circus circus ) only because they had a $3 table which i was happy to donate to . Fun game , especially when your " the table " that everyone is watching!

what was the circus circus like hoki? would you recommend?

TigersBunker

bmacma wrote: »

hi all,

going to vegas in April, want to play some poker but never played in a casino before. Only played hold em with a few mates.

Any suggestions on where to go for beginners games so I don't lose a fortune or make a complete fool of myself not knowing the rules etc?

Also, want to play some blackjack. Same questions applied although blackjack is surely easier to not mess up in?


cheers

Cheap introduction would be Bill's Gambling hall, mid strip. No limit $20 min buy in, ONE $1 blind. Lots of grinders but decent atmosphere for beginners, plus good bad beat and high hand promos.

TDon

go straight to sapphires with 40 x chrisp $20 bills, & poker will follow