World Poker Forums

i've become pretty good at online poker and am looking to take the next step. I don't want to look like a"newbie"when walking into the casino. What should I expect when i walk in. How do I enter, How are players seated. how early should i arrive ? ext.... Any info is appreciated.

should should expect talent like youve never seen before, people who are probably alot better than you (no offense), when you walk in just be yourself, but be your"poker"self, stay true to you, but stay true to the game, come in a little early to talk with whoever else is there

It is very easy, Each room has a front desk where you pay the entry fee and you will be given a seat card in return. There are numbers on the table so just find your table and sit down. The dealer will give out chips, cut for the button and explain and re-buys or add-ons you can do. There is usually a t.v with the tournament info on it such as number of players and time left for the blind level, as well as payout information. Other then that it is just another tournament, just be sure you don't make a string bet, or string raise, you have to either announce your raise or have the amount of chips your going to bet in your hand, you can't go back to your stack for more chip if you didn't say raise. Also if you throw in a single chip it is a call unless you say raise. good luck...

Couple of things to remember when playing live rather than online1 - protect your cards -- put a chip or card protecter on your cards at all times so they dont accidentally get mucked2 - Do not string bet it will not be allowed. Count your bet back behind your cards -- and then announce the bet -- if you do not announce make the bet in one motion3 - Arrive on time -- but most tournies have late registration as well4 - Find out about add-on or rebuy rules before the tourny starts5 - PLay tight aggressive poker and win

I've been playing poker in casinos and elsewhere for a very long time. I don't mean to offend anyone but the problem with online poker and especially the craze that TV poker started is that people that play or watch it on TV actually think that they can play for real. Please if you don't think you are really ready, don't sit at a casino table. Nothing irritates poker players more than someone who isn't ready or doesn't know what they are doing sitting down and screwing up a game or worse yet a tournament. Try sitting in on some low limit games to get your feet wet. That way you can learn and if you screw up someone elses game, they won't be losing that much.Good Luck and have fun.

Depending on the stakes of the tournament, you might want to get some experience in live cash games beforehand. They usually take things like exposed cards/out of turn bets a lot more seriously in live tournaments.If you are used to online poker and are playing similar stakes, you'll probably find that live players are much much worse than their online counterparts.