Poker Jesus Home | Poker Room Reviews | Poker Bonus Codes | Poker Strategy Articles              

Welcome To Poker Jesus Online

          Poker Chips
Chip Reviews
Chip Care

                  WSOP
WSOP News
How To Qualify For The WSOP
History Of The WSOP

    Poker Room Reviews
1.  Bodog Poker Review
2.  Party Poker Review
3.  Absolute Poker Review
4.  Pokerroom Review
5.  Poker.com Review
6.  Full Tilt Poker Review
7.  Paradise Poker Review
8.  Royal Vegas Poker Review
9.  Noble Poker Review
10.  Pacific Poker Review

               Misc Stuff
Online Poker Room Reviews
Recommended Poker Books
Poker Software Reviews
Poker Office Review
History Of Poker
Poker Dictionary
Free Stuff
Current Poker Bonus Codes
Party Poker Sign Up Bonus Codes
Poker Sites That Accept Phone Cards For Deposit
Party Poker Strategy Guide

Live Poker Game Etiquette

You’ve been three and four tabling at Party Poker for over a year now.  Poker Tracker shows that you are a consistent winner.  You’re almost an internet Pro!  And yet you’ve never sat down and played in a live poker game.

Maybe you’ve got a Vegas trip planned and are nervous about looking like a total fish during your first live poker game.  Or perhaps you just won’t feel like a real poker player without having sat down at least once at a live poker game.  Whatever the reason, this guide was written for you!

The easiest way to become comfortable with live play is to take poker lessons.  Most casinos with poker rooms offer free lessons.  This is an easy, non threatening way to learn table mechanics and the etiquette of live play.  If you’re extremely nervous about playing in your first live poker game, then this is probably the best way for you to start out.  If you’re the type of person that likes to jump into something head-first, then continue reading.

The first thing you’re going to do upon entering the card room is to approach the “brush.”  You’ll see him standing near the entrance to the card room area.  This is the guy that seats you or adds your name to the list if your limit is not available. 

When a seat becomes available and you first sit down with your poker chips, take them out of the rack and stack them neatly in front of you.  When stacking chips, six chips are stacked in two piles of three each, ten chips are stacked in two piles of five chips each, and so forth.  When placing a bet you don’t want to just throw down a random stack of 13 chips or some other confusing amount.  Place your bets in easily countable stacks.  This saves the dealer time and makes the game run more smoothly.  And do not splash the pot!

First, a quick note about tipping.  Tipping seems to be everywhere and the card room is no exception.  If you order a drink tip the cocktail waitress $1 per drink.  A lot of people seem to think they should tip her $1 per trip.  This isn’t correct; it’s $1 per drink.  If you order a beer with a chaser, then that’s $2.  If a chip runner brings you your chips, then hand him $1.  If you win a pot tip the dealer around $1.  Stealing the blinds doesn’t require a tip.  Winning a decent sized pot does.  If the pot is extremely large tip the dealer a bit more.  But on average $1 is usually about right.  Watch how others tip at the table and you’ll quickly get a feel for how much is appropriate.

Now that you’re sitting comfortably at the table, have your chips stacked neatly in front of you, and a drink is on the way, it’s time to play some poker!  The first skill that you’ll need to learn is to check your cards without showing everyone at the table what you’re holding.  Cup both your hands around the cards “protecting” them, and briefly lift up only the corners allowing you to snatch a quick peek.  Commit the cards to memory and then slap a chip on top of your cards to let the dealer know they’re still in play.  After that first glance you shouldn’t have to look at your cards again for the remainder of the hand.  Taking another peek at your cards later in the hand can allow more experienced players to gleam information about your hand.  For instance, looking at your cards when a 3^rd spade falls on the board can advertise that you’re on a flush draw.  Don’t do it.  If you need to practice checking and memorizing your cards at home first, then do so.

From here on out live poker is pretty much the same as internet poker.  When you check either say “check” or tap the table with your hand.  When calling, place the matching bet on the table.  DO NOT splash the pot!  When raising say in a clear, audible voice “RAISE.”  Never just start placing your chips on the table for a raise.  Always say “raise” first, then you can take your time placing your bet.  If you don’t say “raise” and then make several motions with your chips, then this is considered a “string bet.”  For instance, the bet is $4 and you want to raise to $8.  You place $4 on the table without saying “raise,” and then reach for $4 more.  This is a “string bet.”   This will most likely irritate the dealer and piss off your opponents at the table.  This is a great way to embarrass yourself.  Always say “RAISE” first when making a raise.

To fold, when the action reaches you simply push the cards towards the dealer.  Push the cards far enough so that the dealer can easily reach them.  Be polite and respectful towards your dealer.  A pissed off, grumpy, bad mood dealer is no fun believe me.

A quick word on chopping.  Chopping occurs when everyone folds to the blinds.  It simply means that the blinds pull back their bets.  You either chop or you don’t.  If you decide to chop, then you always chop during the game.  Don’t look at your hole cards first to decide whether you want to chop or not.  This is a horrible breach of etiquette, and another great way to embarrass yourself and look like a total fish at the same time.  Don’t do it.  If you decide to chop, then you chop regardless of your cards for the entire session you spend at that table.

And finally, a word or two on the showdown.  If you even slightly suspect at all that you may have the winner, then quickly flip your cards over and show them.  Don’t wait to see the other player’s cards first.  This is known as “slow-rolling” and will not be taken very well by your opponents.  Just flip your cards cards over and spare everyone the drama.

Don’t forget to be courteous and to have fun during your first live poker game!  That’s why you’re there.  If you sit there with a frown on your face, then that’s probably the reaction you’ll receive from your fellow poker players.  Frowns!  This isn’t the WSOP.  Smile, have fun, crack a joke or two.  People seem to prefer losing their money to nice guys rather than the grumpy quiet rock on the side of the table.  People are also much more forgiving of mistakes when they know it was an honest mistake and you have a good attitude about it.  If in the stress of the moment while trying to calculate pot odds you forget to say “raise” and place a string bet, then smile and make a genuine apology.  This will be accepted much more readily than saying “F$@*!” and taking an angry swig of your beer.  You’re there to have fun, and you will if you go to the table with the right attitude.

We’ve received several emails from people asking where to play their first live poker game at in Vegas.  If you want to play in a stress free “drinking game” then head to the Excalibur.  They have a $1-$3 spread game that I always take my “poker newb” buddies to.  The environment for that particular game feels almost like a “home game” and should be a real confidence booster to those new to live play.  There’s only one blind and you can bet between $1-$3.  The play there reminds me of Pacific Poker.  Most of the players drink and play very poorly.  The Luxor which is right across the street is also an option.  It had $1/$2, $2/$4 and $50NL the last time I was in Vegas.

Good luck and don’t forget to tip your dealer and cocktail waitress!          

[Home]