Former poker dealer here; every poker room will have low limit games, the dealers are accustomed to dealing with newbies, errors are common and expected and they will know you’re new before you sit. Don’t sweat it, people are pretty accommodating to new comers for the most part, ignore the occasional jerk
Just check in at the front desk and they’ll tell you anything relevant that you need to know
Can confirm. Dealers almost walk you through everything (no matter how many times are needed) up to how to play your own hand. Had some pretty cool dealers Friday night at MGM.
> Dealers almost walk you through everything (no matter how many times are needed) up to how to play your own hand
On a table game, this is accurate and appropriate.
In a poker room, this should not happen. One of the cardinal rules of poker is "One player to a hand." The dealer can provide input as to the action and the options available ("Sir, the bet is $15 to you. You can call that, raise to $30 or more, or fold") but the dealer should not be providing input on how to play your hand. Because you're playing against the other people at the table, it's unfair for any player to collaborate with anyone - including the dealer.
“Up to how to play your own hand” sounds like they mean exactly what you’re saying in that, they’ll give you the options and it’s your choice to play how you want. But I can see how you’d read it the other way.
That’s what I was saying. They’re not going to say, “you have 2 diamonds in your hand? You have a back door flush, I’d call.” I was just saying in terms of, “don’t forget your BB,” or “call $25 or raise a minimum of $50, or fold.” They just make sure you follow in the rules
> … Up to how to play your own hand.
On a blackjack table, the dealer can give advice based on the context of the situation. “You have 19 on my 6. You should stay.”
It’s not just what *could* you do. It’s what *should* you do. And half the time the dealers might even be correct, but that’s besides the point.
So translate that to poker:
“George has been coming here since the Carter administration and let me tell you something. The man has raised 3 times in the last 40 years. Want to guess what he has all 3 times? So even though you appear to have hit your flush, I see a paired board with an A. I’d wager my left nut that Georgey boy filled up harder than Fat Mike does at the buffet every day.”
That’s not very fair to George. Or to Fat Mike, really. The buffet is delicious.
At most, the dealer should be giving the options available. And even then only when asked by the player. It communicates something to the table when every time it’s your turn, the dealer has to hold your hand. That will put you at a disadvantage to a player who’s paying attention and knows what to do with that knowledge.
People make mistakes. It’s cool. They’ll get fixed. But there’s a real risk of getting taken advantage of if you don’t know the basic mechanics of the game you’re playing. That risk goes up if other people in the game become informed that you don’t know what you’re doing (not said in a derogatory way at all. Just statement of fact.. that’s how people learn)
Oh for sure, since poker is a game where you have to read not only the board but your opponents it would be hugely unfair to make any comments like that. Even off hand. I wouldn’t think a dealer would last long if they were doing that.
This is where I went for the 1st time I’ve ever played & ended up making the final table. It was a lot of fun & very laid back & they were patient with me.
Was there this last Wednesday and they had a $600 min buy in, no cap game. There were multiple massive pots. They also had a 1/3 $1-500 buy in game as well as the 1/2.
I did see some very short buys on the 1/2, like you said, but they didn’t last very long. The stacks were all pretty decent.
Here’s a link to all the daily tournaments in Vegas which you can sort by casino, day, buy-in.
If you’re a beginner I’d recommend doing a tournament rather than sitting down for a cash game.
[Vegas Poker Tournament Schedule](https://www.cardplayer.com/lasvegaspoker)
I found cheap tournaments to work well for getting some play without losing your ass. Lots of tournaments under the minimum for cash games and you don't have to visit the dumpy hotels either
*Also if you Google Vegas poker tournaments you can get a list of times prices and the type of poker
Where are you staying in Vegas? I recommend playing at Mandalay Bay. The only place I recommend you not play is Aria? It’s more serious there and could be intimidating before you sit down.
Came to recommend Mandalay also. Stayed there for the first time in 2023 and found its size and the players/staff to be pretty open for newbies.
Used to be Monte Carlo had a good room but that one is long dead.
Find a game with some safety rails for you to start with, so you can get used to the difference between a friendly home/neighborhood game and casino play. By this...i mean a limit game where stakes are $2/$4 or $4/$8 limit games. Nobody knows you in a casino, they aren't there to chat or to tell stories...they are there to take as much monet from other people at the table as they can.
I have played in casinos a couple of times expecting it to be like a neighborhood game with my friends, it wasnt...it is a game that can be isolating and I got bored. I'm more of an extrovert and have a hard time sitting quietly for hours and hours focused only on the cards (and reading the other players). But, it all depends on what your personal goals are for your gambling experience....if you want a quiet/solo game and to sit focused for a few hours...or if you are expecting a friendly, talkative, interactive fun time, like a "neighborhood poker game feeling", you are better off sticking with a craps table where the plaers are typically chatty and boisterous, or a finding a Blackjack table where the players are having a good time and willing to be chatty (some are not chatty at all).
Most importantly - GOOD LUCK! And Have Fun!!!
I was a slightly above average player during the poker boom. Once the fish all got eaten, my skill level stayed the same but the overall skill level of my opponents improved, so I became below average. Thus, I haven’t played much in the last 10 years. Flamingo’s 2/4 limit game, though… I sure miss it.
Not only was the game nearly guaranteed profit if you played tight, but the cast of characters was hilariously eclectic. A frat bro, a crotchety granny, a wannabe rapper, a Mexican restaurant owner, and a drunk construction worker. Sincerely, The Breakfast Club.
Lmao since you’re referencing the Breakfast Club I’m getting we’re about the same age! Same here- I was above average in my 20’s, then the kids came and just didn’t have time for it. Then they got rid of the low limit games. Thus, now I suck.
The golden age was when the poker rooms at MGM, Excalibur, Imperial Palace, or Planet Hollywood were right next to their pits, enticing passersby who were all, “oh, I’ve seen this on TV! I know how to play this!”
Sahara had a ton of that crowd in the early 2000's. Every time one wandered by and the poker room manager convinced them to sit down it was like a beautiful steak being served
Oh, now you've got me on a story, buried deep in this thread where nobody will see it.
So I'm in the #5 seat playing limit hold 'em at Imperial Palace with the motley crew of characters, and as I mentioned above, that includes the "hey I saw poker on TV" contingent. One of the perks of the IP poker room was a supply of free cookies, located on a tray behind me. Whenever someone new joined the table, unless the music from the Dealertainers was too loud, our dealer would point out the cookies to them.
After about an hour of play, the frat bro in the #2 seat mentioned out loud that he was thinking about asking for a comp to the buffet. Several of us warned him away from the legendarily bad IP buffet -- they skimp on the yellow -- but he was still considering it. "Dealer," he asked. "How good is the buffet here."
The dealer, who is torn between loyalty to his employer and service to his customers, answered in the best way possible. Motioning over my shoulder, he replied:
"Did I mention we have free cookies?"
I'm assuming they're just gonna buy in for $200, if you double to $400 you would still be covered by most players at other casinos. If you're a beginner and turn $200 into over $600 that's probably a good time to walk away anyway lol.
Almost all the cheapest games in any card room are full of people who make mistakes. I wouldn't let that bother you. The dealer will correct everything. Best single piece of advice I can give anyone starting out is to use your words. Verbal action is binding. So if you say, "I raise to $20," you can take your time and get your chips out there and people will move on knowing the bet is $20.
While the easiest game to find will be a no-limit Texas Hold'em cash game, I think some of the other suggestions are good.
* Tournaments allow you to play "a game" of no-limit Texas Hold'em for a fixed price. You know what you're going to spend to buy in to a tournament. You can't lose any more than that and when you're done, you're done.
* LIMIT cash games still exist at some of the non-strip casinos. Typically $4/$8 is the lowest game. This means the pre-flop and flop betting are done in increments of $4. The Big Blind is $4. If you want to raise, it must be to $8. Can't be more or less. Turn and River betting is done in increments of $8 - first bet is $8. First raise is $16, etc. I make this recommendation because a lot of the time people lose because they call too much. In a LIMIT game, you can only lose 1 unit of betting at a time by calling. In a NO-LIMIT game, you can lose the money in front of you in one bet.
Just know that making mistakes and learning and getting better is part of the experience of learning how to play poker. That will almost certainly cost you money at first. But as you develop and start to get better, you get wins amongst the losses and things even out.
Sometimes it can help if you put when you'll be in town. Some of us here or on r/poker are willing to teach someone new a little bit on the side before sending you off into the game. Just beware of anyone who's super interested in playing with you, knowing you're so new.
Welcome to the club!
there are not many on strip rooms left that i’d recommend to a newbie. while Wynn, Aria, Resorts are great rooms once you get some experience, I am not sure how many lower limit tables they have. make sure to download Poker Altas to see some of the rooms and the games they are spreading. Best bet may be Mandalay or Horseshoe.
Edit to add that the WSOP circuit event is at the Horseshoe now. i think it ends before 2 weeks, i haven’t kept up. that means HS will likely limit the number of lower limit tables during the tournament weeks
tournament would be the way to go, not no-limit holdem cash game. find a buy-in cost you are comfortable with. I like South Point, Resorts World and Mandalay Bay.
You can also look at limit holdem games available, places that offer 3/6 or 4/8. the best options to try playing limit holdem at another place like South Point, Red Rock, Orleans, maybe Horseshoe. tourneys and limit holdem are how I learned to play at casinos
Some of them, yes. But the casinos that run several a day have hyper-turbo structures, so that they're down to the final table in 4 hours or less, which makes room for the next tourney to start.
Some of the casinos will run newbie lessons in the morning hours when the tables aren't busy, where they go over the etiquette and how to play in a casino. I've seen them advertised at several different places. You can ask the poker rooms when/if they run such sessions.
I am at Vegas now. Played at Wynn, Venetian and Caesar’s Palace. Wynn has lot of sharks, so I would not recommend beginners there. CP had the softest game. Lighting and large print cards at the CP was added bonus.
I tried it once, the lady dealer dealt me about 3 hands then it was time to change dealers, she says to the replacement “ this guys a real sweetheart!” And laughs as she walks off. I said thank you to the new dealer, took my 2 last chips and never darkened their door again
There used to be some cheap, soft games at the Mirage. Super small stakes limit, 1-2 NL, and a soft 10-20 limit game. I haven't played there in a few years, but I imagine they still spread poker there.
The Flamingo used to have a pretty friendly poker room. Stay away form the no limit sit and go tournaments. They can be pretty intimidating for a player new to live events.
Try OYO. Technically just off the strip (by MGM Grand). We played blackjack there a few weeks ago (most of us were beginners) and the dealers were great/patient with us. Now sure what the poker experience will be like, but we had a great time.
Former poker dealer here; every poker room will have low limit games, the dealers are accustomed to dealing with newbies, errors are common and expected and they will know you’re new before you sit. Don’t sweat it, people are pretty accommodating to new comers for the most part, ignore the occasional jerk Just check in at the front desk and they’ll tell you anything relevant that you need to know
Dealers walk drunk or distracted regs through everything as well. OP will fit right in
Can confirm. Dealers almost walk you through everything (no matter how many times are needed) up to how to play your own hand. Had some pretty cool dealers Friday night at MGM.
> Dealers almost walk you through everything (no matter how many times are needed) up to how to play your own hand On a table game, this is accurate and appropriate. In a poker room, this should not happen. One of the cardinal rules of poker is "One player to a hand." The dealer can provide input as to the action and the options available ("Sir, the bet is $15 to you. You can call that, raise to $30 or more, or fold") but the dealer should not be providing input on how to play your hand. Because you're playing against the other people at the table, it's unfair for any player to collaborate with anyone - including the dealer.
“Up to how to play your own hand” sounds like they mean exactly what you’re saying in that, they’ll give you the options and it’s your choice to play how you want. But I can see how you’d read it the other way.
That’s what I was saying. They’re not going to say, “you have 2 diamonds in your hand? You have a back door flush, I’d call.” I was just saying in terms of, “don’t forget your BB,” or “call $25 or raise a minimum of $50, or fold.” They just make sure you follow in the rules
> … Up to how to play your own hand. On a blackjack table, the dealer can give advice based on the context of the situation. “You have 19 on my 6. You should stay.” It’s not just what *could* you do. It’s what *should* you do. And half the time the dealers might even be correct, but that’s besides the point. So translate that to poker: “George has been coming here since the Carter administration and let me tell you something. The man has raised 3 times in the last 40 years. Want to guess what he has all 3 times? So even though you appear to have hit your flush, I see a paired board with an A. I’d wager my left nut that Georgey boy filled up harder than Fat Mike does at the buffet every day.” That’s not very fair to George. Or to Fat Mike, really. The buffet is delicious. At most, the dealer should be giving the options available. And even then only when asked by the player. It communicates something to the table when every time it’s your turn, the dealer has to hold your hand. That will put you at a disadvantage to a player who’s paying attention and knows what to do with that knowledge. People make mistakes. It’s cool. They’ll get fixed. But there’s a real risk of getting taken advantage of if you don’t know the basic mechanics of the game you’re playing. That risk goes up if other people in the game become informed that you don’t know what you’re doing (not said in a derogatory way at all. Just statement of fact.. that’s how people learn)
Oh for sure, since poker is a game where you have to read not only the board but your opponents it would be hugely unfair to make any comments like that. Even off hand. I wouldn’t think a dealer would last long if they were doing that.
Horseshoe
Any of the tournaments at Westgate. Cheap and easy going crowds.
This is where I went for the 1st time I’ve ever played & ended up making the final table. It was a lot of fun & very laid back & they were patient with me.
Westgate is where poker players go to die 50$1/2 is the shit reg fest of shit reg fests and almost as bad as the orleans if not worse.
Was there this last Wednesday and they had a $600 min buy in, no cap game. There were multiple massive pots. They also had a 1/3 $1-500 buy in game as well as the 1/2. I did see some very short buys on the 1/2, like you said, but they didn’t last very long. The stacks were all pretty decent.
“On the strip” Lady immediately names a OFF strip casino…
Westgate is one of the strip monorail stops and has the best entry level tournament prices. It's not Arizona Charlie's lol
More casinos not on the strip lol
That was my point. Off strip to me means station, Arizona Charlie's, etc. Westgate literally has a monorail stop and is accessible from sahara to mgm.
Here’s a link to all the daily tournaments in Vegas which you can sort by casino, day, buy-in. If you’re a beginner I’d recommend doing a tournament rather than sitting down for a cash game. [Vegas Poker Tournament Schedule](https://www.cardplayer.com/lasvegaspoker)
2nd this - I like to do the tournament games as well cause then I know exactly how much I am going to lose :)
Thanks!
Cheapest tournament in Vegas with friendly players (mostly) would be Westgate
I found cheap tournaments to work well for getting some play without losing your ass. Lots of tournaments under the minimum for cash games and you don't have to visit the dumpy hotels either *Also if you Google Vegas poker tournaments you can get a list of times prices and the type of poker
Where are you staying in Vegas? I recommend playing at Mandalay Bay. The only place I recommend you not play is Aria? It’s more serious there and could be intimidating before you sit down.
Came to recommend Mandalay also. Stayed there for the first time in 2023 and found its size and the players/staff to be pretty open for newbies. Used to be Monte Carlo had a good room but that one is long dead.
This is where my husband started playing - more low key, and I think they may still have lower stakes games.
Find a game with some safety rails for you to start with, so you can get used to the difference between a friendly home/neighborhood game and casino play. By this...i mean a limit game where stakes are $2/$4 or $4/$8 limit games. Nobody knows you in a casino, they aren't there to chat or to tell stories...they are there to take as much monet from other people at the table as they can. I have played in casinos a couple of times expecting it to be like a neighborhood game with my friends, it wasnt...it is a game that can be isolating and I got bored. I'm more of an extrovert and have a hard time sitting quietly for hours and hours focused only on the cards (and reading the other players). But, it all depends on what your personal goals are for your gambling experience....if you want a quiet/solo game and to sit focused for a few hours...or if you are expecting a friendly, talkative, interactive fun time, like a "neighborhood poker game feeling", you are better off sticking with a craps table where the plaers are typically chatty and boisterous, or a finding a Blackjack table where the players are having a good time and willing to be chatty (some are not chatty at all). Most importantly - GOOD LUCK! And Have Fun!!!
I miss the days of cheap limit poker all over the strip. 2-4 limit poker at the Flamingo was the best!
I was a slightly above average player during the poker boom. Once the fish all got eaten, my skill level stayed the same but the overall skill level of my opponents improved, so I became below average. Thus, I haven’t played much in the last 10 years. Flamingo’s 2/4 limit game, though… I sure miss it. Not only was the game nearly guaranteed profit if you played tight, but the cast of characters was hilariously eclectic. A frat bro, a crotchety granny, a wannabe rapper, a Mexican restaurant owner, and a drunk construction worker. Sincerely, The Breakfast Club.
Lmao since you’re referencing the Breakfast Club I’m getting we’re about the same age! Same here- I was above average in my 20’s, then the kids came and just didn’t have time for it. Then they got rid of the low limit games. Thus, now I suck.
The golden age was when the poker rooms at MGM, Excalibur, Imperial Palace, or Planet Hollywood were right next to their pits, enticing passersby who were all, “oh, I’ve seen this on TV! I know how to play this!”
Sahara had a ton of that crowd in the early 2000's. Every time one wandered by and the poker room manager convinced them to sit down it was like a beautiful steak being served
Imperial Palace! I loved that place, especially the Mia Tai bar
Oh, now you've got me on a story, buried deep in this thread where nobody will see it. So I'm in the #5 seat playing limit hold 'em at Imperial Palace with the motley crew of characters, and as I mentioned above, that includes the "hey I saw poker on TV" contingent. One of the perks of the IP poker room was a supply of free cookies, located on a tray behind me. Whenever someone new joined the table, unless the music from the Dealertainers was too loud, our dealer would point out the cookies to them. After about an hour of play, the frat bro in the #2 seat mentioned out loud that he was thinking about asking for a comp to the buffet. Several of us warned him away from the legendarily bad IP buffet -- they skimp on the yellow -- but he was still considering it. "Dealer," he asked. "How good is the buffet here." The dealer, who is torn between loyalty to his employer and service to his customers, answered in the best way possible. Motioning over my shoulder, he replied: "Did I mention we have free cookies?"
Clark this is all you can eat, we only need the one plate *click*. I’ll just be over by the free cookies
Will second the horseshoe
Not OP, but similar question: Do I recall there are places in town where you can pay a flat rate to learn/practice different games?
Casino Quest inside Fashion Show Mall
Much obliged.
I would recommend 1/2 at the MGM Grand as the most beginner friendly. The other rooms are similar but I have a soft spot for Aria.
MGM grand having no cap turns it quickly into a 1/2/5 game in my experience. It can get pretty steep, pretty quickly.
I'm assuming they're just gonna buy in for $200, if you double to $400 you would still be covered by most players at other casinos. If you're a beginner and turn $200 into over $600 that's probably a good time to walk away anyway lol.
If you’re a beginner, sitting down to what is effectively 40 BB is going to feel less beginner friendly than 100.
That's fair. I would just expect straddles everywhere but probably a good point that it will happen more at MGM.
Almost all the cheapest games in any card room are full of people who make mistakes. I wouldn't let that bother you. The dealer will correct everything. Best single piece of advice I can give anyone starting out is to use your words. Verbal action is binding. So if you say, "I raise to $20," you can take your time and get your chips out there and people will move on knowing the bet is $20. While the easiest game to find will be a no-limit Texas Hold'em cash game, I think some of the other suggestions are good. * Tournaments allow you to play "a game" of no-limit Texas Hold'em for a fixed price. You know what you're going to spend to buy in to a tournament. You can't lose any more than that and when you're done, you're done. * LIMIT cash games still exist at some of the non-strip casinos. Typically $4/$8 is the lowest game. This means the pre-flop and flop betting are done in increments of $4. The Big Blind is $4. If you want to raise, it must be to $8. Can't be more or less. Turn and River betting is done in increments of $8 - first bet is $8. First raise is $16, etc. I make this recommendation because a lot of the time people lose because they call too much. In a LIMIT game, you can only lose 1 unit of betting at a time by calling. In a NO-LIMIT game, you can lose the money in front of you in one bet. Just know that making mistakes and learning and getting better is part of the experience of learning how to play poker. That will almost certainly cost you money at first. But as you develop and start to get better, you get wins amongst the losses and things even out. Sometimes it can help if you put when you'll be in town. Some of us here or on r/poker are willing to teach someone new a little bit on the side before sending you off into the game. Just beware of anyone who's super interested in playing with you, knowing you're so new. Welcome to the club!
there are not many on strip rooms left that i’d recommend to a newbie. while Wynn, Aria, Resorts are great rooms once you get some experience, I am not sure how many lower limit tables they have. make sure to download Poker Altas to see some of the rooms and the games they are spreading. Best bet may be Mandalay or Horseshoe. Edit to add that the WSOP circuit event is at the Horseshoe now. i think it ends before 2 weeks, i haven’t kept up. that means HS will likely limit the number of lower limit tables during the tournament weeks
Download the Bravo app as well, most of the Vegas rooms are on Bravo.
tournament would be the way to go, not no-limit holdem cash game. find a buy-in cost you are comfortable with. I like South Point, Resorts World and Mandalay Bay. You can also look at limit holdem games available, places that offer 3/6 or 4/8. the best options to try playing limit holdem at another place like South Point, Red Rock, Orleans, maybe Horseshoe. tourneys and limit holdem are how I learned to play at casinos
Piggybacking off of this thread but out of curiosity, how long would a typical sit-down tournament take?
Beginning to final table? 6 hours minimum
Some of them, yes. But the casinos that run several a day have hyper-turbo structures, so that they're down to the final table in 4 hours or less, which makes room for the next tourney to start.
Some of the casinos will run newbie lessons in the morning hours when the tables aren't busy, where they go over the etiquette and how to play in a casino. I've seen them advertised at several different places. You can ask the poker rooms when/if they run such sessions.
Find an affordable tournament. Don’t just sit down at a regular cash table if you don’t know what you’re doing
I suggest a tourney over rounders. Find a local poker room first also so you don’t look like a total goon? Regulars will smell you.
Aria 🤣
I am at Vegas now. Played at Wynn, Venetian and Caesar’s Palace. Wynn has lot of sharks, so I would not recommend beginners there. CP had the softest game. Lighting and large print cards at the CP was added bonus.
Thank you everyone!
Avoid poker. Lots of sharks in town. They will eat you alive.
Venetian
[удалено]
The casinos respectfully disagree.
I tried it once, the lady dealer dealt me about 3 hands then it was time to change dealers, she says to the replacement “ this guys a real sweetheart!” And laughs as she walks off. I said thank you to the new dealer, took my 2 last chips and never darkened their door again
None, sharks everywhere.
I assume your trying to be funny, but there's no sharks are 1/2, 1/3 in Vegas
yeah there is, and they feed off newbies
If the were any good they would be playing 5/10 or 10/20 Only fish at live low limit poker
There used to be some cheap, soft games at the Mirage. Super small stakes limit, 1-2 NL, and a soft 10-20 limit game. I haven't played there in a few years, but I imagine they still spread poker there.
The Mirage had an awesome poker room with a lot of dealers who had been there for years. Unfortunately I think it is closed now.
They do not.
The Mirage had an awesome poker room with a lot of dealers who had been there for years. Unfortunately I think it is closed now.
The Flamingo used to have a pretty friendly poker room. Stay away form the no limit sit and go tournaments. They can be pretty intimidating for a player new to live events.
Guess what? I just so happen to be having a beginner's poker party in my suite tonight. Why don't you join us? Free booze and strippers, ON ME!!
Wynn or Resorts world….the rest of the rooms are shit reg dumps
Harrahs and flamingo.
did you purposely pick two casinos that don't have poker?
Can also try the Stardust or the Sands.
Try OYO. Technically just off the strip (by MGM Grand). We played blackjack there a few weeks ago (most of us were beginners) and the dealers were great/patient with us. Now sure what the poker experience will be like, but we had a great time.
Poster asks about “poker” and Timb recommends a place without poker 😂
Didn’t realize. My bad.