From online to real play.

[doublesnapper]

I'm considering a move to LV to play limit holdem full time. I have been doing very good at the 10-20 and 15-30 levels online, but have NEVER played poker with real cards.

Before I move definitely I want to make an "exploratory" trip to LV, and play in some live games.

Before I even do that I wish to consult the members of this forum what they consider must-do-instruction before I even make my exploratory trip of 1 month to LV. I have ordered Caro's book of tells and looking to get the video somehow.

Any other books, procedures or study that anyone can suggest would be much apreciated.

Thanks in advance

DoubleSnapper

[astroglide]

why?

less rake, no tokes, no drive, infinite table selection, way more hands per hour, etc when you play online.

[Billy LTL]

I'd recommend you spend a few hours playing low limit before you jump into your first live cardroom game, whether in Vegas or elsewhere.

Live play is not more difficult, it's just different from online. Spend some cheap time getting a feel for those differences, learn the house rules and etiquette. For example, the local club I frequent has more rules than a prison. Not knowing those rules can be very costly. Good luck.

Billy

[mosch]

Easier opponents, meet and speak with live human beings and many people think it's a lot of fun. I tend to agree with them.

This debate has been hashed out again and again, must we continue it further?

[Garland]

I'm going to Vegas to test myself, but as a person who posts here and lives in Vegas says, the game selection is tough if you want to go beyond $6/$12. Many people make their living this way there and unless you catch the right table at the right table, you're probably looking at playing with a bunch of pros.

As for the Caro Video of Tells, I have that video. Don't get that video. It's just a bunch of bad acting and exaggerated motion. It's much more important to pay attention to the opponents' betting style, patterns and demeanor at the table. Don't get caught up in the "he's smoking two puffs, so he must be bluffing." It's far more profitable if you can simply look at things from his eyes. I'm not saying there aren't tells. Of course there are. But they usually come naturally by the way they act, how they move their chips, if they look back at their hole cards to see if they have one of the suit when 3 are on the flop, etc. In essence, don't neglect the cold hard information at the table for the sake of finding some subtle tell that may or may not exist. Personally, I like to see as many shown cards and showdowns as possible so I can piece together the puzzle and see who is capable of what. When will this person raise? Is this person capable of a bluff? Can I make this person fold? Will this person be able to make a tough fold? And so on.

Go to Daniel Negreanu's site: Full Contact Poker and read his article "The Truth About Tells" and you'll see what I mean.

http://www.fullcontactpoker.com

I live in San Francisco and don't really see the need to move to Vegas if simply because I have a job here and there are plenty of soft games here.

However, I agree completely about playing live. It's much more socially engaging. I play online, but I don't play more than $2/$4. I do it mostly for bonuses and practice. Playing with real people is the way to go.

Good luck with whatever your decision is.

Garland

[doublesnapper]

Thanks for all answers. The move is not due to need for social interaction, but to seek higher limits. I may crash and burn, but I think I can make it back online and would like to explore how high I can get. I read that in CA there is a regular huge game at Hustler's Casino (2K-4K ?). Wouldn't it be nice to play at that game? (Dreaming now...).

I'm very scared of what info I'd be leaking in person, as I am a very emotional guy, specially when money is involved.

Best

DS

[J_V]

get used to the betting procedures and posting of blinds and stuff. Play an hour at the low limits first.

[Inthacup]

Why not move to So Cal and play there? From what I hear, the games are much softer at 10-20 and up.

[astroglide]

stars has regular 100/200 ring games, and you can play at multiple tables. how high is high? one stars 100/200 table is easily equal to a 200/400 b&m table considering how many hands get dealt.

[astroglide]

easier opponents? have you ever looked at partypoker & skins? i think winning more money in less time is a lot of fun. online you can take your best limit and play many tables of it simultaneously.