First Time in a Public Cardroom - The Aftermath

Thanks again for everyone's encouraging posts. This may be long, but I thought I'd give a description of what happened in my first session, so here goes:


I get to the Lodge Casino in Blackhawk. There are about four relatively full games going on. I kind of stand back and watch a table to see the pace of the action. To be honest I also wanted to see how to muck a hand! I hate to admit it but with all the reading I've done, there are some simple things that I wanted to see in person to make sure I didn't embarass myself!


I watch for a while and am a little confused with the betting structure on the table I'm observing. For those who don't know, in Colorado, the maximum bet is $5 for all games (poker, blackjack, etc.). I thought I was watching a $2-$5 structure game with one $2 blind. However, sometimes on I saw raises of $5 pre-flop. After a few minute I realized, Uh-oh, I read a little about spread-limit games but was really hoping to start with a structured limit to eliminate as many decisions as I could!


After watching a while and becoming a little comfortable with the speed (and figuring out how to muck /images/smile.gif I went up to the poker desk. It just so happened that they were just opening a $5-$5 table and calling people who were on the list. I gave the guy (manager, staff person, I don't know) my name and he looked at me kind of quizzically. I told him I wasn't on a list yet. He said "I've got a game for you". I asked if it was the spread limit game I was watching. He said yes. When I told him it was my first sitting and I was hoping for a structured limit game his response was, so how much do you want to buy-in.


So, I bought my first rack of $100 and was directed over to the table I had been observing. Most of the people at the table seemed to know the dealer. Obviously, mostly local folks. I was pretty nervous and waited for the blinds to catch up to me before I sat on a hand.


It was pretty clear that the table was substantially all loose-passive. There was some raising, 3-5 to a flop but usually heads-up by the end. This somewhat surprised me based on all I've read about low-limit.


I started pretty tight, getting a feel for the action, trying to make sure I had my stacks ready to bet quickly. Its a little more difficult in person at first, being two seats to the dealers left to tell who was left in each hand and when it was my turn to act. I did act quickly though when it was my turn.


I started out pretty strong. Mostly playing big cards and betting strong. I took down several pots early. On a humorous note, my first pot was a very small one. As a passed a $1 tip to the dealer, he smiled at me and said "thanks, but why don't you wait for a larger pot."


I settled in pretty well and feel like I played reasonably well, if not a little too aggressive. When I had a hand, I bet strong and usually succeeded in pushing people out. I was surprised at what I saw people turn up on the river. I routinely saw people play Q6o, K2o (ironically, two people split a pot with this hand when K2 came on the flop).


I was also surprised that I think I only saw one check-raise. This may be one area that I should have worked on. A couple of people next to me commented on the one person who did check-raise and said "I just don't know what he's doing"!


I also got to see my first "on-tilt" person. He was sitting directly to my left. I talked to him early on to ask questions about the spread-limit and what I could bet each round. He was nice enough. However, he kept getting good cards (AA,KK) that would not hold up. It was interesting to me as when I watched the hands he was in when I was out, it was clear to me after he mucked and told me what he had that he should have known he was beat. However, he kept buying in for small amounts, going all-in and then throwing his cards at the dealer and making comments like "unbelievable".


Anyway, this post is too long as it is, just wanted to give people who haven't had their first experience yet an idea what its like. I'll post separately one hand that I'd like comments on.


If you're still reading, thanks! Oh yeah, I finished ahead a whopping $7.

hey at least ya won...


first thing...when ya first come in, dont post on the blind, wait til the deal passes. post behind the button.


2nd..how did the table react to the checkraise? did they still call it?


sounds like a nice game that you could take over being the aggressor. you may notice that when your in, the pots will tend to be bigger. maybe not. but just somethin to kinda watch for, for fun.


welcome to the felt...


now put your mouthpiece in, and snap your helmet on...it can be a bumpy ride...:)


b

I haven't sat for many poker sessions, but, and I guess this is worth mentioning, during one of my last sessions, I raised in mid. posit. pre-flop w/ black AA; three callers. Flop came A,2c,7h. It was checked to me, I checked hoping the button would bet out (and let the others catch up some). He did and I raised. When I did that, you would've thought was just caught pulling the fifth Ace from my sleeve. These people (two left) looked at me like that was the dirtiest play a person could make. What gives? I call that smart poker. If I am wrong, please, let the more experienced players enlighten me.


Thanks

It's smart poker. If your opponents don't like it, screw them...make the play that will make the most money for you. Talk friendly, play tough.


Jeff

If the table is soft and the players are happy, it is probably better not to check raise at least not heads up. You want the players to stay happy, passive and loose. Besides they like giving their money to someone whose nice.


However,if you find yourself against an aggressive oppponent, don't be afraid to check raise to slow him/her down a bit. The trick is to have the table on your side.


If the table is somewhat aggressive with lots of raising, bluffing, semi-bluffing, moves etc., check raising is necessary for survival. And this can happen at low limit. I've been in some 5-10 games that were happy hour and some that were hand to hand combat. Just make sure you know which is which and adjust your play accordingly.


A couple of loose opponents calling pre-flop or on 3rd street will make the game more profitable than any amount of check raising.

were they older players? usually theyre the ones who seem to have the most problem with it...they think it's ungentlemanly and deceptive. hello...thats what cards is about... id only say watch out doin it HU...sometimes it can be a scary walk to your car in the parking lot. some people take it too personal...


b

nm

...I consider myself to be a nice, if not respectful person. However, as has been my policy of a few years of playing serious blackjack, when money is involved, I want it in my pockets, not theirs (whether it be the house or the player sitting next to me). At this point in my early stages of poker (mostly hold 'em), I can play low-limit games for fun, but if a chance presents itself to take it down, what the hell? Right or wrong?!?

Some home games consider check-raising to be unethical--so in those instances I advise you to play by the rules of the house.


But in a casino, it's one of the few weapons you have to offset poor position. I wouldn't worry about it.

i would do it, but i dont get respect anyway. haha


the risk is, they might not give ya action when your in the hand. id just use it more sparingly actually. and i tend to C/R alot form early. even id tone it down a little just to keep the game good. of course, to make up for it, 1 way is to raise everytime your comin in.. theyll love that too. haha....but dont marry your hand, fit or fold the flop


good luck...


b

In CO you don't have to post to enter the game.


If you want to wait to enter behind the button to see some hands, that's fine. Its still free.


If it is several hands until the blind and you are ready to go, jump in.


Your description of the Lodge 2-5 game is usually pretty accurate. The 5-5 game often becomes the $30 to see a flop game (6-7 players in the pot).


Colorado Central Station usually has a more agressive 2-5 game.

Bullwackers is probably between the two.

I haven't been to the Hyatt, but a lot of their customers are from overflow from the Lodge, so I would expect the game to be similar to the Lodge.


Some other considerations:

Bullwackers usually has a stud game, an Omaha 8 game and sometimes Stud Hi/Lo. They probably have the best food, and have tournaments a couple of times a week.


If you are going to the Lodge on Friday or Saturday night, call ahead. There is nothing like giving your car to valet parking to find a 2 hour list.


The Hyatt is brand new and their room is non-smoking. At least it was non-smoking when they opened it.


The rake is the same everywhere-- 10% to $3 plus

$1 for the jackpots. You will probably find the rake harder to beat than the players. The "Bad Beat" jackpot hands are different at every casino, so ask.


Good luck,

Cazz

I think I'd be inclined to sheeplishly apologize, saying something like I'd misread my hand. The fact that they were upset shows they are extremely poor players. You don't want them mad at you. You want them to happily give you their money. You'll have enough of an edge without the check raise in a game that soft.