A few questions on live play in Atlantic City

ZimbuTheMonkey · #1 08-26-2005, 09:20 AM

I have zero experience playing B&M poker, so I had a few basic questions. I don't wanna ask a pit boss or dealer there and look suspicious as I am underage, don't wanna draw any attention to myself.

[EDIT: Ok, I've read the newbie guide, it was very helpful. However, some of my questions were left unanswered:]

1. How long does one have to wait to get a seat in the Taj? This will probably depend on the day and time, but on average?

2. Do the dealers announce the pot size on their own or perhaps when asked? I'm not accustomed to counting the pot by myself, so I should get ready for that. I figure I'd keep better track of the bets going in, since the pot won't exactly be neatly organized in the middle.

3. I was told in my other thread that 0.5/1 doesn't exist in AC, so which games are the most accessible as a small stakes NL player? How is the competition in 1/2? I play 0.5/1 and 1/2 at Party, will live play be very different?

5. Any other code or conduct or etiquette I should be aware of? Basically I just don't want to make an ass out of myself, especially at the table with everyone watching. Damn, I feel nervous already.

Thanks guys.

#2 08-26-2005, 09:38 AM

How young do you look?

I've stuck some bills in a slot machine back when I was sixteen, but why don't you just keep playing online and wait till you're 21 to sit down at a casino?

Also, the poker room might make you sign up for a Taj card. If you do, you'll have to present a valid ID.

ZimbuTheMonkey · #3 08-26-2005, 09:46 AM

I look over 21 (or at least I don't look much younger), and I'll be with a group of guys that are around 25-26. I would wait until I'm 21, my birthday is in Jan. But they've made plans to go in September, so I didn't wanna miss out.

About the Taj card, is it mandatory or is it a optional comp card?

Jeffage · #4 08-26-2005, 09:46 AM

Are you talking about limit or no limit? The lowest limit game in AC is 2-4 and the lowest no limit is 1-2 blind (not sure on min-max buyin). Dealers don't announce the size of the pot, you have to keep track. The exception I believe is in a big bet game if you say I bet the pot, they may tell you how big it is. Otherwise, no. Competition is weak at all low limit games.

Proper table manners: Act quickly and in turn. Don't ask to see someone's mucked hand. Pay attention. Don't criticize the play of others or abuse the dealer.

Other: Protect your hand, make sure only you can see it. Put a chip on your cards while you play a hand so the dealer doesn't accidently muck them. If you bet and everyone folds, don't relinguish your cards until the pot is pushed to you (if you just muck and miss that there was a live hand against you, your hand may be declared dead if it can't be recovered). Also, don't relinguish a hand face down until you ACTUALLY SEE a hand that beats you...don't worry about what people say they have, make sure.

Jeff

ZimbuTheMonkey · #5 08-26-2005, 09:50 AM

I want to play NL. Online I play .5/1 and 1/2. I'll be taking 1k as my bankroll, is that enough? The max buy-in online is 100 and 200 respectively, so I assume it would be good for 4 days.

"Proper table manners: Act quickly and in turn. Don't ask to see someone's mucked hand. Pay attention. Don't criticize the play of others or abuse the dealer."

Oh I'm super polite and I can't stand dealers being verbally abused, so no problems there. I'll try to act quickly, but since I'm new to live play, I'm sure I'll mess up more often than not.

neotope · #6 08-26-2005, 09:55 AM

Just a word of warning, the Taj is the only room I've ever been carded at in AC. The last time I was there they carded almost everyone at the podium that looked under 30.

peterchi · #7 08-26-2005, 09:57 AM

[ QUOTE ]

1. How long does one have to wait to get a seat in the Taj? This will probably depend on the day and time, but on average?

[/ QUOTE ]
The one plus about the Taj is that I've never waited very long. You might get seated right away, even on a weekend. Longest I've ever waited is maybe 30 minutes, and that's only happened maybe twice.

[ QUOTE ]

2. Do the dealers announce the pot size on their own or perhaps when asked? I'm not accustomed to counting the pot by myself, so I should get ready for that. I figure I'd keep better track of the bets going in, since the pot won't exactly be neatly organized in the middle.

[/ QUOTE ]
They don't announce it. But they will tell you if you ask.

[ QUOTE ]

3. I was told in my other thread that 0.5/1 doesn't exist in AC, so which games are the most accessible as a small stakes NL player? How is the competition in 1/2? I play 0.5/1 and 1/2 at Party, will live play be very different?

[/ QUOTE ]
1/2 blinds with $60 min buy-in, $300 max buy-in. That's the smallest. The next one up is 2/5 blinds with $100 min buy-in, $500 max buy-in. Definitely buy in for the max, but I assume you already know that. Yes, the play will likely be very different (but obviously that's somewhat dependant on the actual table). It's not necessarily more difficult, but you'll have to adjust or it'll hurt. What I noticed is that it's way more loose and way more aggressive. The second part of that is what threw me off.

[ QUOTE ]

5. Any other code or conduct or etiquette I should be aware of? Basically I just don't want to make an ass out of myself, especially at the table with everyone watching. Damn, I feel nervous already.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think the Taj will make you get a Taj card. They'll ask if you have one when you get seated, but just say no and it's fine. Also, FWIW, my friend who is 23 recently got carded there, and my friend who is 20 got by okay.

ZimbuTheMonkey · #8 08-26-2005, 10:00 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Just a word of warning, the Taj is the only room I've ever been carded at in AC. The last time I was there they carded almost everyone at the podium that looked under 30.

[/ QUOTE ]

A few people in the Small stakes NL forum said the opposite, claiming that the Taj is the most lax when it comes to carding. Hopefully they're correct and I'll get by without being noticed.

300 max buy-in? That's pretty good for a good player then. I'll just pray the fish don't suck out on me and take 1/3 of my AC bankroll.

#9 08-26-2005, 10:04 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Just a word of warning, the Taj is the only room I've ever been carded at in AC. The last time I was there they carded almost everyone at the podium that looked under 30.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let me echo this. I was carded the last time I was at the Taj. I am 38.

#10 08-26-2005, 10:04 AM

When I went there to register for a tournament, it was mandatory. I've had it ever since, so I'm not sure if you need it to play cash games. A phone call to the casino or Poker Room would probably net you the answer. Just throw that in there with a bunch of other questions.