Guide to Playing Poker at Brick and Mortar Casino
When you enter a poker room, the first thing you need to do is buy poker chips. To do this, you need to find a “cage” where chips are bought and sold. Once you find the cage, wait in line and when it is your turn all the money on the table you want to exchange. the employee will count, and then give you your chips.
Your next task is to find a poker table. Many first timers will come to the table and sit down, only to find that you need to go to the front desk first to reserve a seat. To do this, go to the front of the room where there is a table and a board with initials on it. Tell the employee your initials, and what game you are trying to play. For example, if your name is Jim Brown and you want to play $1/$2 $100 max, you would tell the employee “I need $100 max – my initials are JB”. Then you will go up on the board and will be called when your table is ready.
Once you take your seat at the table, there are some differences between live and online poker. The first thing you need to know about is that players don’t have to post blind to come into the game. The only rule is that you can’t come in as a dealer, but other than that, you can sit anywhere and receive cards without posting the blinds (unless you come across as a big or small blind, of course).
The next rule to remember is that there are no pre-select buttons! Make sure you act on the turn, because many players will get angry if you fold from their turn or make bets out of turn, especially long timers. Also remember to never discuss hand suggestions or offers while the hand is still in progress, as that is another rule that is sure to get you in trouble. When you win that first pot, it will feel great to scoop up chips, but make sure you remember to tip the dealer. The standard tip for a $50 pot will be $1 or $2, and as the pot gets bigger, you’ll want to tip more. If you forget to tip once that’s no big deal, but you don’t want to be known to the dealer as “the guy who never tips”.
If you decide to take a break from playing, but plan to return, just walk away from the table and leave your chips there. As long as you return within a reasonable amount of time the dealer will save your seat and leave your chips there. If you are ready to leave the casino, put your chips into the rack then take them to their stable and cash out. There he is!
