Help with transition to B/M game...

Hi everyone! Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Most of my experience is online with some real time casual "the- machinery- is- broken- at- work" kind of play. The casino I frequent most often at Gananoque, Ontario has recently opened a poker room. Well, "room" may be a stretch...4 tables and only can observe one from the rail. On my last few outings I have been railbirding and trying to get a feel for this reality thing. Here are my questions, in no particular order of importance.

--this is a full ring 3/6 limit table...what should my buy-in be? Does it depend on the stacks at the table? Or a multiple of the bb? Max if I have it?

--should I watch the table after I sign up? This seems like a no-brainer, in fact I almost didn't include it, but it came into my head and there are no bad questions.

--once seated, is there the "wait to post big blind" option? (lordy I have played too much online)

--toking the dealer...I notice most folks toking $1...does it depend on pot size?

--look at cards immediately? Or on my turn? (I have observed both, and can make no real co-relation between looking and winning, is there an ettiquette thing here?)

--Dealer sloppiness...I have observed this a few times in my limited railbirding (and in playing BJ at this casino) ...what do you do when the dealer flips over cards, or mis-deals?

well these are a few thing I have noticed and have questions about. If anyone out there has any other things to add, It would be appreciated

thanks

1. you want to sit down with a comfortable amount of chips, if there is a max there, then buyin for the max. my B&M does not have a max on 3/6 limit.

2. always watch your soon-to-be table, spot the fish, and spot the talent.

3. i always just sit down and if the blind is close ill wait, but if its farther away then ill just start playing. there is no opening blind for a newcomer at the table at my local casino.

4. smaller pot=then smaller tip. bigger pot=bigger tip

5. i usually wait for my turn, but it's not a big biggie if you do either

6. misdeals happen just make sure you see the cards.


hope that helps.

Originally Posted by speckledgator

--this is a full ring 3/6 limit table...what should my buy-in be? Does it depend on the stacks at the table? Or a multiple of the bb? Max if I have it?

As is the case online, always sit down with the max if you have it. Even in a limit game, the bigger your stack, the better off you are.

Originally Posted by speckledgator

should I watch the table after I sign up? This seems like a no-brainer, in fact I almost didn't include it, but it came into my head and there are no bad questions.

Yes you should. In addition to looking for the fish, look for anyone who is ultra aggressive. If you sit down OOP to that person considering moving tables.

Originally Posted by speckledgator

once seated, is there the "wait to post big blind" option? (lordy I have played too much online)

If there is, TAKE IT!!! This will give you an opportunity to check out the players at the table.

Originally Posted by speckledgator

oking the dealer...I notice most folks toking $1...does it depend on pot size?

As pokadave said - The bigger the pot, the bigger the tip.

Originally Posted by speckledgator

look at cards immediately? Or on my turn? (I have observed both, and can make no real co-relation between looking and winning, is there an ettiquette thing here?)

Wait, especially if you are close to the blinds. When you are close to the blinds look at those two in particular. If they look disinterested it may give you an opportunity to steal the blinds. Also, if you see someone "perk up" after they look at their cards it will make it easier to lay down a marginal hand.

Originally Posted by speckledgator

ealer sloppiness...I have observed this a few times in my limited railbirding (and in playing BJ at this casino) ...what do you do when the dealer flips over cards, or mis-deals?

The dealer should know what to do in the case of a misdeal, but if it gets too bad quietly leave the table and let the poker room manager know what is going on.

Good Luck at the tables!!!!!

I was playing $1/2 limit at a card room and the dealer dealed me an extra card when i was in the blind. The card was never looked at and it was obvious which one was the misdeal, as it was also verified by players sitting around me (The dealer wasnt very good at all after observing her for awhile). She insisted on calling the room manager over even though everone at the table seemed to agree on using the card as the burn. When the manager got there he declared my hand dead (even though the cards werent even looked at yet). Does this seem strange to anyone else? I was a little pissed off at the ruling, but i just grabbed my blind back and mucked my cards (the cards were rags anyways). I would have been really pissed if they made me keep my blind in and probly would have left on principle.

--this is a full ring 3/6 limit table...what should my buy-in be? Does it depend on the stacks at the table? Or a multiple of the bb? Max if I have it?

$100 - $150 is pretty standard in a 3/6 game. Generally, you want to have enough on the table to cap every street if you pick up a monster hand. You definitely do NOT want be like a lot of people I see who let their stacks dwindle and then get all in. Only to go bust and rebuy for another $100. If you get down below say $50, just buy another $50-$100.

--should I watch the table after I sign up? This seems like a no-brainer, in fact I almost didn't include it, but it came into my head and there are no bad questions.

Yes, the more you can learn about the way your opponents play the better. You should be able to quickly notice the people calling with any hand. Be nice to them

--once seated, is there the "wait to post big blind" option? (lordy I have played too much online)

They should just deal you in without you having to post. Unless you come in on the big blind. If you come in on the small blind they give you the option to "buy the button" by posting the big and small blind. It's a good buy IMO since you get in immediately and get to play the button. Otherwise, you sit out a hand and then the button passes you. (At least that's the rule in our local casinos)

--toking the dealer...I notice most folks toking $1...does it depend on pot size?

Yes, as a rule of thumb I tip $1 for a small pot and $2 for a medium-large pot. Most of the time I do not tip on small-medium split pots or when I steal the blinds. If you win a ginormous pot you may want to tip more -- but its up to you. As of late, I am tipping more/less depending on the dealer's attitude. We have one dealer who is a complete jerk about 80% of the time. So my wife and I decided to start tipping a maximum of a dollar if any at all.

--look at cards immediately? Or on my turn? (I have observed both, and can make no real co-relation between looking and winning, is there an ettiquette thing here?)

At low limit it doesn't really matter. Especially your first several times. Just make yourself as comfortable as possible and have fun. In no limit and tournament play I try and wait to look though.

--Dealer sloppiness...I have observed this a few times in my limited railbirding (and in playing BJ at this casino) ...what do you do when the dealer flips over cards, or mis-deals?

Dealer's are human and will make mistakes. I just blow it off and have fun. Good luck!

Originally Posted by dsmrolla06

I was playing $1/2 limit at a card room and the dealer dealed me an extra card when i was in the blind. The card was never looked at and it was obvious which one was the misdeal, as it was also verified by players sitting around me (The dealer wasnt very good at all after observing her for awhile). She insisted on calling the room manager over even though everone at the table seemed to agree on using the card as the burn. When the manager got there he declared my hand dead (even though the cards werent even looked at yet). Does this seem strange to anyone else? I was a little pissed off at the ruling, but i just grabbed my blind back and mucked my cards (the cards were rags anyways). I would have been really pissed if they made me keep my blind in and probly would have left on principle.

Seems right, this happened to me once in a 1-2NL game. Problem was the first two cards were K-K. I pretty much threw the cards face up at the dealer (probably a pretty asshole thing to do) and then thanked her when she flopped an Ace.

I was playing $1/2 limit at a card room and the dealer dealed me an extra card when i was in the blind. The card was never looked at and it was obvious which one was the misdeal, as it was also verified by players sitting around me (The dealer wasnt very good at all after observing her for awhile). She insisted on calling the room manager over even though everone at the table seemed to agree on using the card as the burn. When the manager got there he declared my hand dead (even though the cards werent even looked at yet). Does this seem strange to anyone else? I was a little pissed off at the ruling, but i just grabbed my blind back and mucked my cards (the cards were rags anyways). I would have been really pissed if they made me keep my blind in and probly would have left on principle

Yes, it seems very strange that your hand would be dead. I've had that happen and they just take the card and make it the burn. The dealer was correct to call the floor or manager if she was confused, but it sounds like the manager screwed up. I like the fact that you took your blind back in protest lol.