First post, first time in a casino |
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Posted Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:26 am GMT by Saidub
Hello,
I've been lurking on the forum for awhile now and thought i'd take the time to sign up, as it seems the people on here are quite friendly and helpful!
I have played in one home game and decided to try out my local poker room last night to play $2-$4. i didnt do too well. of my $100 buy-in, i had $24 left after 4 hours. I believe i was playing much too loose, and making some rather embarassing mistakes like checking when i had the nuts on the river, and such. I was just too nervous.
It just got worse when a few cocky no-limit players joined my table and made even seeing the flop quite expensive, by straddling the BB and capping out every round, etc. i got so nervous that i paid to see barely any flops.
I hope i can improve on tonights performance next time. Were any of you guys this nervous the first time you played in a casino? if so, how did you cope with it?
thanks in advance for the replies, and i hope to make my time on here enjoyable!
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Posted Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:02 am GMT by Nut Flush
I'm sure the majority of us were nervous walking through the casino doors for the first time. It's like riding a bike, you fall down a few times but eventualy it becomes second nature. Stick with it, low limit hold em can be frustrating when every flop is capped and you pay just to see you got no help. But when you do get some help on the flop, you'll make good money. Keep at it and good luck.
Posted Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:17 pm GMT by ilikepoker
If you were playing for 4 hours, you probably didn't do as bad as you think you did because of the rake. Im not sure but I am guessing that the casino probably got 20 - 30 of your dollars. I'm no expert does that sound right?
So if you lost $76, it may only be like losing $50. But thats beside the point. Just a thought.
I recently played at a casino for the first time and I was nervous too but also very excited. Excited to play properly, that is, which meant I was excited about folding sometimes because it was the right play.
Watch out if you're too nervous though, because nerves will have a part in your game. I get nervous too. My aproach was a stone-like aproach. Every time I had any hand I wanted to play, even if it was just to see a flop for free from BB, I would stare at the same place on the table, tilt my hat over my eyes, and get confortable because if I want to play that hand I shouldn't move at all with this approach. When I hit xKKA on 4th street with big slick in my hand, playing stone helped alot and won me alot of money on that hand because no one knew how to read me like that. Someone even mentioned "he's got a good MO" which I took as a great compliment.
So from what you wrote, I have a suggestion that is something I learned from my second (and last to date) time playing. If the table doesn't feel right, or you feel like people keep raising the pot because they are reckless gamblers, no one is forcing you to stay. Its like this. Player A usually beats player B. Player C also usualy beats B. But player D can usually beat players A and C but will usually lose to player B. I dont know if Im saying it all correctly, but sometimes your own style of playing is stronger or weaker than other styles. If you find yourself at a table where you are not comfortable in your game, you can ask the host to switch tables, or you can go waste $5 in 5 cent slot machines for an hour just to see if you can return to a better table. Also, you can just call it a night and try another day. Your poker carrer is not dependant on what happens in this one night.
The point is that if a table is putting you on tilt, either get off tilt or get of the table.
I have to emphasize that I don't know what Im talking about. These are just some thoughts from a fellow newb.
ps. tighten up! In a full-handed table, I would bet that most of the winning hands you saw were also good starting hands. something to keep in mind. If they're raing every hand preflop make sure you have a monster before you go into it so you can take all their money!
hope i helped a little
Good Luck!
Posted Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:10 pm GMT by Saidub
thanks alot for the responses, guys.
I know i really have to tighten up. My question is, how did you guys determine what hands you would play preflop, when you were beginners?
yeah, even though my first trip was discouraging, i will keep at it. I dont know about you all, it just seemed like everyone i talked to after their first trip to play hold em, came out ahead and made it sound easy. Not to say i expected the same, i just wondered how these first-timers had that result consistently.
PS. ilikepoker, the suggestion about switching tables is a good one. i will have to keep in mind that im not attached to any particular game, when i go next time. thanks!
Posted Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:42 pm GMT by BeerWench13
| Quote: | | how did you guys determine what hands you would play preflop, when you were beginners? |
My theory is play the players, however, since you don't know anyone I started playing only hands that totalled 19 or higher. Example 10 9, J9, Q9, etc up to AA. If they don't total at least 19, unless you're the big blind and can check in of course, fold them and wait for a better hand.
| Quote: | | everyone i talked to after their first trip to play hold em, came out ahead and made it sound easy. |
Not for me. I lost $40 in about 30 minutes. Here's a few things I learned.
1. Don't drink for 12 hours prior to sitting down at the poker table.
2. When playing limit, expect to have your aces cracked.
3. Learn the players and play them instead of the cards all of the time.
4. Expect to lose your a$$.
Just a few helpful hints that I can give you from my first experience.
Posted Thu Aug 26, 2004 8:37 am GMT by Nut Flush
Here's another tip that works for me. Do not bring money that you can't afford to lose! And the money you do bring, consider it gone the minute you walk through the doors.
It may sound harsh, but when I go play 1/2 limit hold em, I bring $100 of my bankroll and thats it. If you play worried about your money, you will play worse.
Posted Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:27 pm GMT by JadedIndividual
Don't stress your first time lost. I'm still a greenhorn to the casino, and my first two sessions were atrocious. I got too drunk, too early, played to many hands, saw too many flops, went on tilt, rebought...basically everything you aren't supposed to do.
My most recent session, I told myself I would play textbook. When I tossed garbage and it flopped a straight, or two pair, I didn't let myself get ruffled. I played good starting hands, and wasn't reluctant to fold. It worked out for me and I came out ahead (only $30 on a 2/4 table for 4 hours, but it felt much better than losing).
But as was already stated, go in there expecting to lose your money, it will make it much easier to play that way. I didn't do that my second session and it ended up costing me more money than it should have.
Just a few pointers from another new guy...
Posted Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:28 pm GMT by Fat Tony
what casino did you play at???
Posted Fri Aug 27, 2004 3:54 am GMT by Saidub
I was playing at the River Rock Casino in Vancouver. It seemed very nice, with good food and drink service, nice dealers, smoke-free and upstairs, away from the general casino noise.
On another note, i have been reading alot of info on this site about the lower limits ( 2/4, 3/6, 4/8 ) in the casino card rooms being harder to play consistantly. Not to suggest im a good poker player (which i am certainly not), but does this mean all the time i spend reading the books, practicing concept at home games, etc will be wasted on these lower limit games? I have the desire to improve my ability and to see my improvement rewarded. So does this mean i should stake the extra money and go straight to a higher game like 5/10, or just take my chances and keep playing 2/4 regularly? did you guys make a similar switch, and if so, how did you know you were ready?
Posted Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:04 pm GMT by Fat Tony
maybe i'll see you there one night. 
Posted Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:44 pm GMT by Saidub
| Fat Tony wrote: | | maybe i'll see you there one night. |
cool! ill probably he wearing a red cap, if im there. what game do you usually play, Tony?
Posted Fri Aug 27, 2004 6:25 pm GMT by Makana
Your first time in a casino is always nerve-racking. I've been playing in casinos for a couple of years but I can remember my first few times. It's like moving to a new city. You don't remember where anything is, you don't remember street names, you can't recall whether you're heading east or north.
It's a lot for the brain to digest. So you can't really expect to win any money your first couple of times. You're still getting used to the system, the speed of play, the style of players, being stared down, being raised by a husky guy with a deep voice who looks like he might eat you if you beat him on this hand...that kind of thing all makes it very hard to concentrate on your game. Once you become accustomed to these things then you can focus on the game easier. So, I would recommend folding a lot the first few times. Just take your time to be as observant as possible. To become as comfortable as possible. Then the game becomes simple.
2/4, 3/6, 4/8 are all hard games to beat simply because you have very few manuevers. If your in it for the money your game needs to be very mechanical. There is hardly any bluffing. If you draw at a hand you generally know exactly what your pot odds are (if you don't know what pot odds mean - study up) and if they warrant it. There aren't a lot of tricks to use. In fact, the only trick I've ever been able to get to work consistently in low limit hold 'em is the late position raise for the free card. Use check-raising on the Turn if you can when you have a big hand, to up the value of your pots.
10/20 + is where the game starts to change. I'm not sure what kind of money you have to play around with but it can get expensive fast jumping into that level too early. Eventually, you will want to. It's difficult to determine when you are ready, as it's different for everyone. Generally when you're comfortable at low limit and your beating the game on a regular basis, it might be a good time to try and move up. You are correct that much of the poker knowledge you gain through reading is not all that useful in low limit. Pay special attention to the odds though and always keep track of how much money is in the pot. These are super important for low limit. There are also a few good books specifically concerning lower limit tables that you should pick up and read. "Winning Low Limit Hold 'Em" by Lee Jones is the one I read back in the day and it helped me a lot.
Alright, good luck, hope your second trip goes better than your first. Still losing only $76 in 4 hours for your first time out isn't bad at all.
Posted Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:32 am GMT by Saidub
Well, i played again today. The wait was long, and i only sat for about 45 mins. I came out up $23 and with a little more self-confidence, because at least i know how the game works a little better. Thanks for all the advice to date, and Makana, i was planning on picking up "winning low limit hold em" hopefully soon. Ive read good things about it.
I still made big mistakes, but i picked up a couple decent pots and tried to minimize losses by playing tighter this time. I was surprised to see very few river chasers, and the other people at the table seemed to be decent players, so it wasnt quite the crap shoot like last time. If im not mistaken, these are the more optimum conditions i should look for on a low-limit table, correct?
Posted Wed Sep 01, 2004 10:48 am GMT by vegasholdem
u did well considerin u played fer 4 hrs.
Posted Thu Sep 02, 2004 3:07 pm GMT by BeerWench13
| Quote: | | If im not mistaken, these are the more optimum conditions i should look for on a low-limit table, correct? |
I think so. In limit I'd much prefer to be at a tight table then at a table where everyone sees the river every hand and whoever gets the luckiest takes the pot. JMHO.
Posted Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:39 am GMT by MobyRick
The first time I played a live game scared the crap out of me. Not only was it my firs table but it was in Puerto Rico and almost no one was speaking English. I ended up getting Lucky though because one guy was drunk and played like an idiot and I ended up walking out $400.00 up. Also a few of the other guys weren't sure about me and I think they thought I was better than I actually was. They were laying down and "giving me respect" that I didn't really deserve. A few days later I played and I lost $125.00 in just over an hour. It was a humbling game that gave me a better perspective on the entire thing.
One thing is to try to make it look like you've been playing for a while and you might not get taken advantage of as much. One of the best things to see is a newbie sit down that is nervous. It's almost a win win for everyone else if they play it right because at that point your playing the player, not the cards and you know right off the bat everything you need to about the player.
Posted Fri Sep 03, 2004 9:09 am GMT by BeerWench13
| Quote: | | One of the best things to see is a newbie sit down that is nervous. |
Don't take this too seriously as an experienced player. I play dumb every time I sit down now. I ask questions like "Can I raise?" or "Do I have to bet?" and I fold alot so it makes players think they're scaring me off of the pot when, in actuality, I'm just waiting for the hand to nail them with. Don't underestimate the "newbies". Not all of them are.
By the way, I'm one hell of an actress too. I can play the blonde so well. It's so fun. Distract them with your rack and pretend like you don't have a clue. Gets 'em every time. Sometimes I love being a woman.
Posted Fri Sep 03, 2004 9:43 am GMT by MasterShake
| BeerWench13 wrote: | Don't take this too seriously as an experienced player. I play dumb every time I sit down now. I ask questions like "Can I raise?" or "Do I have to bet?" and I fold alot so it makes players think they're scaring me off of the pot when, in actuality, I'm just waiting for the hand to nail them with. Don't underestimate the "newbies". Not all of them are.
By the way, I'm one hell of an actress too. I can play the blonde so well. It's so fun. Distract them with your rack and pretend like you don't have a clue. Gets 'em every time. Sometimes I love being a woman. |
If I give you the money up front, will you just come over and distract me with your rack. We don't have to play cards. 
Posted Fri Sep 03, 2004 9:59 am GMT by BeerWench13
| Quote: | | If I give you the money up front, will you just come over and distract me with your rack. We don't have to play cards. |
Where's the fun in that? I prefer a challenge. 
Posted Fri Sep 03, 2004 11:36 am GMT by MasterShake
| BeerWench13 wrote: | | Quote: | | If I give you the money up front, will you just come over and distract me with your rack. We don't have to play cards. |
Where's the fun in that? I prefer a challenge. |
People tell me I'm challenged all the time.
Posted Fri Sep 03, 2004 11:38 am GMT by BeerWench13
| Quote: | | People tell me I'm challenged all the time. |
Too funny! I like to think of you as "special".
Posted Fri Sep 03, 2004 11:43 am GMT by MasterShake
| BeerWench13 wrote: | | Quote: | | People tell me I'm challenged all the time. |
Too funny! I like to think of you as "special". |
Will you put a gold star on my forehead when you come over? :D
Posted Fri Sep 03, 2004 3:09 pm GMT by Saidub
ok, ive been to the poker room about 3 times now. overall, im about even, but i still got some things to work on. caluculating pot odds and watching for straight/flush draws being two of the biggest problems right now. Any more required reading/viewing you guys recommend for a beginner? Im watching the Mike Caro Tells DVD right now. I also got my first home game tonight, so hopefully ill be able to at least get some money
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