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"Live" or Casino Poker
Poker can be played at home, in an online poker room or at a casino (card room). Of these, the casino is the most formal setting what with the security cameras, chip cage, poker room manager and real dealers. Of course, the most "real" thing about a casino or card room as a poker venue is the other players themselves.
Why play poker in a casino or cardroom?
Many people prefer home games or online poker rooms to casinos. Live poker games can be intimidating places for players new to poker. Once you play a little, however, you will find that playing in a live game is a very relaxing and even social activity.
There are many advantages to playing poker in a casino. The most obvious is that there is always a game. In places like Las Vegas, the casino NEVER close, thus, you can play whenever the mood strikes. Even your local card room is probably open until the wee hours of the morning, or at least until last call for alcohol.
Another nice thing about public poker rooms is that when you win, you can claim your winnings right now without waiting for a credit to be made to your bank account. Don't get me wrong, playing online is awesome too, but for players than don't do play poker regularly, it is an inconvenience to fund an online poker account, then have to wait for a withdrawal.
When compared to a home game, the live came is way, way better. First of all, the live poker game moves at a rapid pace. This means that many hands are dealt. There is also a dealer to handle the chore. If you are trying to win money at poker, you want as many hands dealt as possible.
Surprisingly, casino poker games have a social aspect to them. People all races, creeds and colors play poker in casinos. It is very fun to see how they play and react to different situations that arise at the poker table. Many of the players that play in casinos tend to be regulars and know each other from their repeated interaction at the poker table.
Deciding which casino to play in
Once you have made the decision to play poker in a casino, you need only decide where you want to play. There are various types of poker rooms from which to choose. At the top of the list is the poker rooms found in resort hotel casinos. The primary gaming areas of the United States are Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Other areas of the country have also grown in popularity, including Connecticut (Foxwoods) and Mississippi.
Las Vegas, Nevada – Gaming Capitol of the World
Las Vegas is the Mecca for all things gambling. It is the most popular destination for all types of vacationers and gamblers. There is a good reason for this as Las Vegas features great weather, incredible golf courses and, oh yeah, incredible casinos.
The most highly regarded of the poker rooms found in the Las Vegas casinos is the one found at the beautiful Bellagio. The Bellagio features the best of everything in one fantastic setting. Obviously, you are only going to play poker in such a fantastic setting if you are planning a Las Vegas vacation. Should you plan to go to Las Vegas, you can't go wrong by staying and gaming at any of the MGM Mirage family of hotel/casinos:
- Bellagio - AAA Five Diamond Award
- MGM Grand Las Vegas -Las Vegas Review-Journal Best Entertainment Venue
- The Mirage - AAA Four-Diamond Award
- Treasure Island - AAA Four-Diamond Award
- New York-New York - ilovevegas.com Online Visitor's Choice Award, Second Place, Favorite Hotel Theme
- Beau Rivage - Travel + Leisure names Beau Rivage Resort & Casino one of the top hotels in the world
- Primm Valley Resorts - Golf Magazine "Top 100 you can Play"
If you prefer to book a Las Vegas vacation package, you can find great deals through [affiliate info here – Orbitz?]
It is much more likely that you will elect to play poker in a card room or casino near your home. Poker rooms vary in size depending on where you live. There are casinos ranging in size from the mammoth Foxwoods Resort Casino down to the tiny card rooms found in rural Montana. Wherever you decide to play, the process is pretty much the same and not at all complicated.
So how do you get started playing "live" poker?
It's very easy to get seated at a poker table. If the poker room that you go to is busy, it will be necessary to be placed on a waiting list. This is no different than being placed on the waiting list at a restaurant. Just give the floor manager your name and they will call you when your table is ready.
After you are seated at a poker table, the floor manager or chip runner will ask you now many chips you wish to purchase. If you are reading this, we will assume that you are playing low-limit poker and will purchase an appropriately sized rack of chips. A rack of chips has 100 chips and costs $100 for chips in a $1 denomination.
Depending on the type of game you are playing, you will either be asked to post a blind or an ante. Don't be afraid to ask if you need help doing this. Usually, however, you will be told before you even have a chance to ask.
Once you sit down, it's time to put your knowledge to work. Since you have come to this site and read the information available, you will have basic knowledge of how games are played and will know some simple strategy and tactics. Hopefully, you have gone a step further by reading one of our recommended books about poker. If you are really into learning about poker, then you would be wise to check out some of our recommended products that will also help you learn about the great game of poker.
Practice and experience are prerequisites for winning at poker
We strongly recommend that you practice playing poker as much as possible before you play in a casino. No matter how much you practice, there will still be a degree of on the job training to be done at the casino. The best place to play lots and lots of poker for free is on the Internet. Please see our section regarding playing online poker to find great sign-up deals at online poker rooms. Of course, we also give you lots of tips for playing online poker.
Here is one last lesson for playing poker in a casino. Remember, the game is supposed to be fun. Never lose sight of this even if you are losing. You will always have streaks in poker when the cards are either falling just right for you, or not falling at all. Accept the fact that you cannot always win when you play live poker. Winning in the long run is what counts. That is what we are trying to help you do. Now get out there and play!
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