Questions on casino play

I started playing 2-4 hold'em recently at casinos. I've done somewhat well. From what I have read, the higher the limits, the tougher the players. I play in AC. From what i've seen on the borads, they have a 2-4 game, a 3-6 game, and a 5-10 game. The next step for me would be 3-6. What is a good way to tell when I'm ready to move up to a higher limit?


Also, about tipping. I try to tip the dealer a dollar (if I remember), every time I win a pot. I've never been at a table where the game moves slowly so I normally win 2 or 3 pots an hour. At a 2-4 game, $2-$3 an hour annoyingly cut into a good percent of a person's winnings. What does everyone here do for tips?

[1] Lets look at tipping from this perspective. A dealer deals 5 days a week for 8 hours a day for 49 weeks a year (245 days/year)and are "down" in a table for 5 hours/day. Lets say they get paid $7/hour by the casino and they deal 32 hands/hour and get an average of a $1 tip/hand but have to give 20% of that up for various reasons.


$7*8=$56/day salery; 32*$1*5*80%=$128/day in tips; $56+$128=$184/day total. $184/day*245days=$45,080/year.


Someone more knowledgable about actual dealer income will please make adjustments to the above.


Tip 50c and let the tourists tip more.


[2] You should not "move up" in one bound. Brows the 3/6 games and put yourself on the list when either it looks good or the 2/4 games look bad. Be a 2/4 player that sometimes plays 3/6. When your confidence and comfort levels get higher you will soon be a 3/6 player that sometimes plays 2/4.


- Louie

Tipping: I play $30-$60 (in Los Angeles). Most players tip $1 when they win a pot, sometimes as bit more for a big pot. A $1 tip for a $2-$4 game seems very high. I would follow Louie's advice and tip 50 cents.


Moving up: Again, Louie's advice is very sound. [As usual. Watch for his posts on the small stakes forum. He responds quite often and quite well.] Get to know the players. If you see a bunch of guys in the $3-$6 who you know play worse than you, get into that game. If you do well, you can try it again. If not, move back down.


In general, you are correct: the higher the limit, the tougher the players. The only exception I've seen is that the biggest game in the house can sometimes be easier than the 2nd biggest because there are some guys who just want to play in the biggest game. Where I first started to play, there were $2-$4, $3-$6 and $5-$10 games, like your casino. The $5-$10 was an easier game than the $3-$6. This does not mean you plunge into the $5-$10. One step at a time, and a backwards step if you trip.


Good luck.

I'd move up to 3-6 immediately. I don't think you can beat the rake at 2-4, and 3-6 isn't really a much tougher game. The rake is the same at 2-4, 3-6 and 5-10 (but 5-10 is tougher than 3-6). Once you win for around 50 hours at 3-6, give 5-10 a shot. That is where you will start to see more aggressive play.


I tipped .50 cents a pot at 5-10 and lower. I now tip $1.00 a pot at 10-20.