Flush
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 370
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Originally Posted by Dunk
What's the max buyin for tables, 20xBB? So the recommendation for a $400 bankroll is so you can survive getting wiped once?
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The max buy-in at $1/$2 NL is $100. You can sort of get around this by buying in short for $40, posting a blind, then rebuying for another $100. (You have to be below $40 to rebuy.)
I think Fyr suggested $400 because you may need to rebuy a few times on bad beats or just not getting any hands. I agree - $400 is a good amount.
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Originally Posted by Dunk
Getting called down on everything is something I am having to learn right now with my home-game friends. He was kicking me all over the place until I finally realized that once he bet post-flop he wouldn't let go.
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Yeah, it's kind of ridiculous. I won't play a hand for 2 hours straight. Then I'll raise it up preflop and get 3-5 callers.
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Originally Posted by Dunk
5/5 tables? Hmm. I suppose that takes a little adjustment to have two equal blinds.
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I'd suggest steering clear of the $5/$5 tables until you have more experience there. These seem to be much more serious. There is no max buy-in, so some people sit down with $10,000. And some people play these tables professionally.
My friend is trying to get me to play $5/$5, he even said he would stake me. But then he tells me about bad beats that cost him $8,000 pots. I'm not sure I can handle that yet.
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Originally Posted by Dunk
Thanks for the advice. Sounds like it would be a get a breakfast on the road and be in the casino by 10am if it is a weekend. Would that work as "early"?
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10 am is about perfect. They usually start opening new $1/$2 NL tables at around this time.
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Originally Posted by Dunk
Is the wait-list still that long on work days/nights?
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I've only been there on a few different work nights. The list isn't as long, but AFAIK the games aren't as good, either. The games are the best on Saturday and Sunday.
You asked about newbie B&M things:
The first is to make sure you "toke" or tip the dealer whenever you win a pot. Some people always tip just $1. I tip more on larger pots. The dealers make something like $3 / hour ... less than minimum wage because they work on the reservation!
The $1/$2 NL game is played with red $5 chips. Don't bring $2 chips to the table unless you want to piss people off. You can usually buy chips from the dealer right at the table.
The $1/$2 NL game is not raked. It costs $5 / half hour to play. There is a light on the wall that goes on to tell the dealers to "take time".
When you arrive, you need to put your name on the $1/$2 NL list. This list is kept way in the back of the Poker Room. You can't put your name on the list at the closer sign-up station.
And Fyr is right - some of the $1/$2 NL games are incredibly weak. Some people will call all-ins with top pair, any kicker. Be happy if you get seated at one of these tables. Then just show up with the cards. This is kind of what aokrongly mentioned in another thread as "playing cards", not necessarily playing poker.
Also, because the game is so weak at times, I tend to push all-in when I would usually value bet on the river. So if I have the nuts, I'll push. You would be surprised how often this gets paid off.
Preflop raises at $1/$2 NL are not usually 3.5 * big blind = $7. At most tables, you need to raise to $12-15 to be taken seriously. And sometimes you'll still get 4 callers. If this happens to you, don't panic. If your hand is still good, just bet a little less than the size of the pot on the flop and usually you will take it down. This can be very profitable, but a little scary.
My biggest stack so far at one of these tables was $1450 after 27 hours of play. If you see stacks up around this size (especially more than 1 or 2), watch out! 
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