Poker is perhaps the classic casino game and is probably the one card game most people think of when they imagine a casino card table. Playing in a live game can be exhilarating, fun and tense, but there are certain strategies that can be employed. The very first thing to do, before you even think about actually playing the game, is to ensure that the casino has a poker card room and that, if they do, they are actually holding a game on the night you plan to go, as some casinos only host poker games on certain nights.
Once you have established this and arrived at the casino, ensure that you sit at a table with a limit that you feel comfortable with. You should sit down with money that you can actually afford to lose, and if you are constantly worried about losses - or potential losses - your game will suffer, as a result. After all, you must be prepared to come across losses as well as gains if you hope to prosper in the long term.
Following on from this, do not get carried away by the atmosphere and the occasion by over-estimating your abilities. Be sure to choose a table with stakes that suit your standard of play. After all, losing all of your money very quickly is not an ideal, or a recommended, way to learn the game.
Once you decide on a table and a seat becomes available at the table, you will need to post the amount of the big and small blind combined. Once you do this, you will receive your cards.
You can, if you wish, wait until the big blind comes around to you and then just pay the normal blind. There are two advantages to this. One: it will be cheaper, long-term. And two: it will give you a chance to sit and watch the other players at the table. Pick up any pointers or psychological tips you can. Who is likely to be aggressive or nervous? Look for cues and store them away for later. Any edge will help when it comes to game time.
When your cards come, leave them face down. When you want to look at them, lay one hand over them and lift up the corners of the cards with the other hand. By doing this, you deprive your immediate opponent of the opportunity to get a glimpse of your cards. Also, try to ensure that you take only one look at your cards, as by doing otherwise, you could impart information to your opponents.
Just as an example, let us say that you are used to taking one, quick look at a bad hand and then leaving the cards, yet with a good hand, you either take a second look, or glance at the cards for longer than normal. It may be human nature, up to a point, but such things will give you away at the table. The phrase 'poker face' was not coined for no reason, and practicing on your own can help you in more ways than may seem initially possible.
Once you have established this and arrived at the casino, ensure that you sit at a table with a limit that you feel comfortable with. You should sit down with money that you can actually afford to lose, and if you are constantly worried about losses - or potential losses - your game will suffer, as a result. After all, you must be prepared to come across losses as well as gains if you hope to prosper in the long term.
Following on from this, do not get carried away by the atmosphere and the occasion by over-estimating your abilities. Be sure to choose a table with stakes that suit your standard of play. After all, losing all of your money very quickly is not an ideal, or a recommended, way to learn the game.
Once you decide on a table and a seat becomes available at the table, you will need to post the amount of the big and small blind combined. Once you do this, you will receive your cards.
You can, if you wish, wait until the big blind comes around to you and then just pay the normal blind. There are two advantages to this. One: it will be cheaper, long-term. And two: it will give you a chance to sit and watch the other players at the table. Pick up any pointers or psychological tips you can. Who is likely to be aggressive or nervous? Look for cues and store them away for later. Any edge will help when it comes to game time.
When your cards come, leave them face down. When you want to look at them, lay one hand over them and lift up the corners of the cards with the other hand. By doing this, you deprive your immediate opponent of the opportunity to get a glimpse of your cards. Also, try to ensure that you take only one look at your cards, as by doing otherwise, you could impart information to your opponents.
Just as an example, let us say that you are used to taking one, quick look at a bad hand and then leaving the cards, yet with a good hand, you either take a second look, or glance at the cards for longer than normal. It may be human nature, up to a point, but such things will give you away at the table. The phrase 'poker face' was not coined for no reason, and practicing on your own can help you in more ways than may seem initially possible.
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