Bloggers / Matthew Pitt / 16 February 2009 / Leave a comment

Matthew Pitt looks at some basic tips that will help anyone's first trip to a casino to play poker more enjoyable and less embarrassing.

My first tip should be done at home, before you even go to the casino It may sound strange but you should get used to handling playing cards. After years of sitting behind a computer screen, clicking the mouse to act, you would be amazed at how something so simple feels alien to you at first.

Some smaller poker tournaments are self-dealt so it may be worth your while practising a basic shuffle too, though you will often find someone will take the role of dealer in these situations.

The next is actually a legal requirement and that is to bring some photographic identification with you. By law, the casino has to verify you are over 18 years old and they can do so by a UK driving licence or passport. It is a good idea to phone the casino in advance and see if they have any special requirements.

Once you have completed the necessary paperwork and have finally taken your seat you will be ready to experience the greatest game on Earth. One thing you should not worry about is giving off any tells. Unless you jump up and down like a kangaroo every time you get dealt a premium hand, it is unlikely anybody will notice anything you do. After all, you are playing in a £10 tournament, not at Bobby's Room in the "Big Game"!

Whilst the pace of the game will be slower than on the internet for obvious reasons, it is important to keep up with the action, as not to slow it down further. You are also entitled to some thinking time but try not to put in a Hollywood performance each time you have to fold you eight-five off suit!

Equally important, if not more so, is acting out of position. On the net, you can click the fold-in-turn button but in a live arena you have to wait until it is your turn to act. Acting out of turn can completely alter the dynamics of the hand, is seriously frowned upon by fellow players and if you are repeat offender you can be given a penalty.

Now you are acting at the correct time it is important to note all verbal bets are binding. If you say "raise" and then decide that you do not want to, you have to make a raise. Ensure that you take your time to act and that all your communication is clear to avoid confusion.

If you make a bet, you must not string bet. When you bet or raise, inform the table by how much you intend to raise and then move your chips in one action. Do not announce you intend to bet then start putting more and more chips in the centre until you decide you have bet enough as this can be seen to be trying to gain an edge by seeing how others are reacting to the amount of chips you are putting into the middle of the table.

Above all, enjoy it. Live poker is an amazing experience, one full of laughs, stories and where you will often meet some good friends. If you are unsure of anything, do not be afraid to ask anyone at the table, after all you will be surrounded by like-minded people who will usually be more than pleased to help a new addition to their community.

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