Poker in Vegas

[Doug5984]

Ok, so I'm going to Vegas next week to get married.

I'd like to play some Hold Em. I've never actually played in an american casino, I've played countless games in bars (typically $2 / $4 limit games), basements, living rooms, online, costa rica casinos... So basically I'm familiar with the game and have played a ton of hands.

Basically what's the structure like at a real casino? What can I expect as far as the average player there goes, on low $ games.

They have no limit tournaments almost everyday, I'd like to get in on one of these, the buy in is cheap at $50 (I've played tournaments before, typically 30+ people, $100 buy in).

These are the other games they offer:

$2 & $4 Texas Holdem
$3 & $6 Texas Holdem
$4 & $8 Texas Holdem with a 1/2 kill
$4 & $8 Omaha High and Crazy Pineapple
$6 & $12 Texas Holdem with a 1/2 kill
No Limit Crazy Pineapple…$1 & $2 Blinds
$100-300 Buy-in
Pot Limit Omaha High…$1 & $2 Blinds
$100-300 Buy-in
No Limit Hold'em…$1 & $2 Blinds
$100-300 Buy-in
No Limit Hold'em $2 & $5 Blinds
$200-1,000 Buy-in
No Limit Hold'em $5 & $10 Blinds
$500-2,000 Buy-in


I'm assuming the top 2 are your typical limit games.

What is a half kill?

Never played Omaha or Crazy Pineapple so I'll stay away from those.


What are the no-limit games typically like? Playing a cash game I typically played limit in the basement of a bar, one table, play til enough people leave that the game closes up. I've played no-limit with friends, but no one ever bought in more than $20, and played a lot of no-limit online, with varying degrees of players.

I'll stick to the smaller $ table whatever I end up doing since I'm a cheap ass, but just wondering if I'll get frustrated playing this game when people beat me with shit hands that should never have been in the game.

Edit to add: How long does a typical tournament game at a casino run? I've got a pretty booked up schedule with dinners, shows, and family stuff, but would love to do a tournament or two.

[SirFozzie]

I'll be following this topic, as I want to play when I'm in Vegas 12/13-12/16

Edit: A Half Kill means the betting limits go up 50% for a hand where certain pre-conditions are met:

For example "$2/$4 plus a half kill when one person wins three straight hands" means that the hand after someone wins three straight hands, the next hand is dealt with blinds of $3/$6

[Doug5984]

And my only live casino no limit experience was pretty bad, I was playing in costa rica with colones, and the exchange rate slowed me down- made a couple bad bets because of it (calling a flush draw when the odds of the pot clearly weren't there but messed up the exchange rate)... pretty much no one spoke good english so I don't want to go off of that for what my experience in Vegas will be like.

[Radii]

I'd like to play some Hold Em. I've never actually played in an american casino, I've played countless games in bars (typically $2 / $4 limit games), basements, living rooms, online, costa rica casinos... So basically I'm familiar with the game and have played a ton of hands.

I see you've played in Costa Rica casinos, assuming they're professionally run I wouldn't expect a lot of difference in vegas. There are things in a casino that are different than your average home game... cards are sacred, only touch your cards. Try to always act in turn. Never push your cards away until you're sure you don't want or need them anymore. Chips are sacred. Never touch anyone else's chips. Try to pick up the proper amount of chips and place them in front of you in one action when you want to bet/call/raise. Never put chips out in front of your cards/over the line that you aren't intending to wager. The game moves faster but you'll catch on quickly. Don't hesitate to ask questions/confirm anything with the dealer if you are unsure about anything.

If you've played in any casinos at all you probably are comfortable with the flow of the game and how all that works, but its always amazing to me how many people are unable to follow the simple rule of respecting the other people at the table and their time to keep things easygoing and friendly.

EDIT: Don't hesitate to tell the dealer you're new to casino poker the first couple times you sit down. At a 2/4 limit table the delears *should* be prepared to help the game along but there's nothing wrong at all with saying to your dealer 'hey im a newbie here'

Basically what's the structure like at a real casino? What can I expect as far as the average player there goes, on low $ games.

Low limit games will have lots of tourists and really bad players. The rake will be high and it makes it very hard to win long term but if you are just going to have some fun and hopefully win a few pots that really shouldn't be a huge concern.


They have no limit tournaments almost everyday, I'd like to get in on one of these, the buy in is cheap at $50 (I've played tournaments before, typically 30+ people, $100 buy in).

The cheaper the tournament the worse the blind structure. They're trying to get their fees and get out ASAP. That isn't necessarily a terrible thing but do make sure you understand the blind structure before you start. Hands are dealt much much slower live than online so blinds going up like 30 or 45 minutes goes by FAST. Single table tournaments will often have the blinds go up every time around the table. Tournaments are a great way to get some play in for a set cost, but do keep in mind the cheaper the buyin the more rushed it may be.


I'm assuming the top 2 are your typical limit games.

Correct. At the table there should be a placard that very clearly shows the game is limit holdem. You can always ask the dealer or floorman to make sure you don't get in a game you don't intend to. Just as you're sitting down, "this is limit 3/6, right?" etc.

What is a half kill?

If a player wins two pots in a row (possibly two pots of a certain size or two pots that reached showdown, I don't know if the rules vary there) the next hand is played for bigger stakes. If the game is 4/8 limit holdem and its a half kill, if someone wins two hands in a row they will be forced to post a $6 blind from whatever position they are in and that hand will be played as a 6/12 hand. There are also "full kill" games that double the stakes. It goes back to normal when someone else wins a hand. Its a way to generate some more action. It does make the game fill a little bigger than the regular posted limit. A 4/8 game with a kill plays a little bigger than a regular 4/8 game.


What are the no-limit games typically like? Playing a cash game I typically played limit in the basement of a bar, one table, play til enough people leave that the game closes up. I've played no-limit with friends, but no one ever bought in more than $20, and played a lot of no-limit online, with varying degrees of players.

They are exponentially bigger than limit games of the same stakes. A 1/2 No Limit game will typically (according to the quoted thing you posted) have a minimum buyin of $100 and a max buyin of $300. Very often you'll have players who open raise to $10 and the pots grow from there. Often you'll have players who even if they just want to call will say "screw it make it $5" and it will get to the point that ispretty much accepted, someone will blindly raise to $5 and you'll get 7 or 8 callers.. all of a sudden you have a $35 pot and if you decide to contest the pot on multiple streets its going to be all in.

Lots of players will buyin for the maximum $300 and go from there. Lots will buy in for $100 repeatedly so they can't lose more than that on a single hand.
I would say that a 1/2 no limit game on average probably plays as big as a 5/10 or 7.5/15 limit game.


I'll stick to the smaller $ table whatever I end up doing since I'm a cheap ass, but just wondering if I'll get frustrated playing this game when people beat me with shit hands that should never have been in the game.

Yes, you'll get frustrated by this at low limit tables. Just remember if you play well that you will come out ahead in the end, but a few hours sitting at a table isn't a very long time at all and you may well get your aces cracked every single time, if you even see them at all. Also remember that if you do get a table where 5 or 6 people see every flop that your odds to win a huge pot if you do hit your 87 suited or pocket 3s are better, so adjust for that

Edit to add: How long does a typical tournament game at a casino run? I've got a pretty booked up schedule with dinners, shows, and family stuff, but would love to do a tournament or two.

They might be able to give you an estimated or average time. The blinds going up quickly in cheaper tournaments probably work in your favor if you're pressed for time :D

[Radii]

I should point out btw that all my live poker experience is in Atlantic City but as far as the general flow and way things work in a live poker room in the US Vegas will be essentially the same.

[Doug5984]

Great reply thank you.

I see you've played in Costa Rica casinos, assuming they're professionally run I wouldn't expect a lot of difference in vegas. There are things in a casino that are different than your average home game... cards are sacred, only touch your cards. Try to always act in turn. Never push your cards away until you're sure you don't want or need them anymore. Chips are sacred. Never touch anyone else's chips. Try to pick up the proper amount of chips and place them in front of you in one action when you want to bet/call/raise. Never put chips out in front of your cards/over the line that you aren't intending to wager. The game moves faster but you'll catch on quickly. Don't hesitate to ask questions/confirm anything with the dealer if you are unsure about anything.

If you've played in any casinos at all you probably are comfortable with the flow of the game and how all that works, but its always amazing to me how many people are unable to follow the simple rule of respecting the other people at the table and their time to keep things easygoing and friendly.

Don't hesitate to tell the dealer you're new to casino poker the first couple times you sit down. At a 2/4 limit table the delears *should* be prepared to help the game along but there's nothing wrong at all with saying to your dealer 'hey im a newbie here'


Yeah I'm very familiar with this from playing in bars, and $100 buy in tournaments, so this won't be a change for me. It's been a few years since a live game but I'll get back into it quickly I suppose.


Low limit games will have lots of tourists and really bad players. The rake will be high and it makes it very hard to win long term but if you are just going to have some fun and hopefully win a few pots that really shouldn't be a huge concern.


The game I made a lot of money at was in the basement of a pizza joint during the poker boom a few years ago, they were not allowed to take a rake, dealers just playing for tips so even with tipping on every pot I won- I was able to come out of there a winner almost every night. Getting used to the rake will take a few hands I assume.



The cheaper the tournament the worse the blind structure. They're trying to get their fees and get out ASAP. That isn't necessarily a terrible thing but do make sure you understand the blind structure before you start. Hands are dealt much much slower live than online so blinds going up like 30 or 45 minutes goes by FAST. Single table tournaments will often have the blinds go up every time around the table. Tournaments are a great way to get some play in for a set cost, but do keep in mind the cheaper the buyin the more rushed it may be.


Good to know, and if that's what I'm looking for that'll be good, I wish I'd have more time to gamble- but have to do other stuff as well


If a player wins two pots in a row (possibly two pots of a certain size or two pots that reached showdown, I don't know if the rules vary there) the next hand is played for bigger stakes. If the game is 4/8 limit holdem and its a half kill, if someone wins two hands in a row they will be forced to post a $6 blind from whatever position they are in and that hand will be played as a 6/12 hand. There are also "full kill" games that double the stakes. It goes back to normal when someone else wins a hand. Its a way to generate some more action. It does make the game fill a little bigger than the regular posted limit. A 4/8 game with a kill plays a little bigger than a regular 4/8 game.
[/quot]

Good to know- where I used to play they'd do a "live straddle" every now and then, and it was similar


[quote]
They are exponentially bigger than limit games of the same stakes. A 1/2 No Limit game will typically (according to the quoted thing you posted) have a minimum buyin of $100 and a max buyin of $300. Very often you'll have players who open raise to $10 and the pots grow from there. Often you'll have players who even if they just want to call will say "screw it make it $5" and it will get to the point that ispretty much accepted, someone will blindly raise to $5 and you'll get 7 or 8 callers.. all of a sudden you have a $35 pot and if you decide to contest the pot on multiple streets its going to be all in.

Lots of players will buyin for the maximum $300 and go from there. Lots will buy in for $100 repeatedly so they can't lose more than that on a single hand.
I would say that a 1/2 no limit game on average probably plays as big as a 5/10 or 7.5/15 limit game.


Good to know as well, I may get in on a NL game after getting my feet wet in a limit game, I'm by no means a bad player and won a lot of money back (for a college student just playing a few nights a week) in the day, just kind of gave it up over the years so I'm not afraid of a $300 table...just want to ease back in. I'll probably play low limit for an hour or so then want to move the stakes up a little.



Yes, you'll get frustrated by this at low limit tables. Just remember if you play well that you will come out ahead in the end, but a few hours sitting at a table isn't a very long time at all and you may well get your aces cracked every single time, if you even see them at all. Also remember that if you do get a table where 5 or 6 people see every flop that your odds to win a huge pot if you do hit your 87 suited or pocket 3s are better, so adjust for that


I'm used to this as well from playing limit back when, just ride it out and the longer you play the better your odds are.

[johnnyshaka]

IIRC, "Pineapple" is a variation of Hold 'Em where you are dealt 3 down cards instead of two. Prior to making your first bet you need to discard one card.

Again, IIRC, "Crazy Pineapple" lets you bet with your three down cards and then you are required to discard one card following the flop.

[k0ruptr]

If you want a running partner, or just someone to show u the ropes a bit send me a pm, I moved to Vegas a couple months back. I usually play strictly 1-2 NL and buyin at around 200. lemme know

[SirFozzie]

Here was a site I was lookin g at that seems to have a list of the daily tournaments in Vegas

hxxp://www.lasvegasvegas.com/poker/tournaments.php

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

1. Best site to check on poker tournaments that are happening. You can usually check specific sites for blind structure/length of tournament......

Las Vegas Poker Tournament Schedule (http://www.lasvegasvegas.com/poker/tournaments.php)

2. Loosest games on the strip right now are at the MGM and it's not even remotely close. The locals were raving about how loose the play was when I was there a couple weeks ago, though they mentioned that you need to expect a few bad beats in the process.

[k0ruptr]

MGM is awesome right now, but also O'shea's if you want a really loose, loud game full of drinkers.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

MGM is awesome right now, but also O'shea's if you want a really loose, loud game full of drinkers.

The locals that I played with mentioned that the 2-6 spread game at O'Shea's was especially loose.

[Doug5984]

So this might be a dumb question- when you go into the poker room, do you find a table that has an open seat, or do you have to go somewhere and sign up? Can you re-buy chips at the table? (For a normal game, I'm assuming for any type of tournament you have to sign up ahead of time)

[cartman]

So this might be a dumb question- when you go into the poker room, do you find a table that has an open seat, or do you have to go somewhere and sign up? Can you re-buy chips at the table? (For a normal game, I'm assuming for any type of tournament you have to sign up ahead of time)

There is usually a greeter you check-in with and they tell you which table(s) to go to, and if there is any kind of wait for the game you want to play. And yes, you usually can buy chips at the table. Before you play, you can take a walk around the poker room and observe games, and if there is particular table that appeals to you, you can definitely ask to play at that one.

[Lathum]

Where are you planning on playing at?

[Doug5984]

I'll be staying at the Mandalay bay...probably gamble there? Unless there is a big reason to go to another casino, I assume a poker room is a poker room as long as they have the table you are looking for? (I also play some blackjack, but would rather play poker- and if I don't feel like thinking I'll normally head over to 3 card poker, or roulette)

The Sunday & Monday I have nothing planned so I may try to find a good tournament to go to....and just gamble a lot.

[cartman]

Mandalay Bay has a small, pretty laid back poker room. Typical crowd there are tourists. If you want to try table games, there is a large assortment right outside of the entrance to the poker room, and their sports book (one of the larger ones) is only about 100 feet away.

[Lathum]

I'll be staying at the Mandalay bay...probably gamble there? Unless there is a big reason to go to another casino, I assume a poker room is a poker room as long as they have the table you are looking for? (I also play some blackjack, but would rather play poker- and if I don't feel like thinking I'll normally head over to 3 card poker, or roulette)

The Sunday & Monday I have nothing planned so I may try to find a good tournament to go to....and just gamble a lot.

I don't agree.

I recommend you hop on the tram and go play at the MGM as others have said. Their mid day tournamnet has a pretty good structure. Planet Hollywood also had a good mid day tournament as well. I recommend visiting some of the nicer rooms just to check them out. Caesers, Bellagio, and Vebetian all have nice rooms.

[cartman]

Planet Hollywood does have a good structure, but about 18 months ago they moved their poker room. It used to be in a back corner by the P.F. Chang's, but now it is smack in the middle of the casino floor. The new location is a lot more distracting than the old one.

[Doug5984]

Well just an update- I didn't get a chance to play any poker, I was busy as hell the first few days, was going to try to play pretty much all day Monday...

Got food poisoning Sunday night / Monday morning- spent all day in the hospital hooked up to an IV. Woo-hoo honeymoon...oh well, still had a great trip, already looking forward to trying to plan a trip to go back.

[Subby]

Bad beat.

[Doug5984]

I would say at least I didn't lose any $$$ gambling, but that hospital bill won't be cheap.

[SirFozzie]

well, hopefully I do better then you when I fly out in two weeks :)

[cartman]

Gonna be out in Vegas at the beginning of next month for a conference. Time to hit up the poker tables again. I really miss being able to play online.

I'll be staying at Mandalay Bay, and noticed that for their daily NLHE tournaments, they have moved to a no-blinds ante-only structure. Has anyone played a tournament like this? From what I can gather, there are no blinds, and everyone must ante the same amount each hand. Sounds interesting, but I'm not sure how to approach a game like that.

[Chubby]

I would approach it the same way as any other tournament, it really depends on the rest of the table. If you can steal do it, but if everyone else is trying to steal you'l end up pissing more away