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First Time Playing Poker At A Casino (1 Viewer)

Angie99

Angie99

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Would love to hear other members first time experience playing poker at a casino.

Mine was back in the mid 2000's. I thought I was a good player and sat down with $140 at a 1-2 NLH game at the Bellagio (thats when they had those stakes back then) telling myself that I am going to confidently make a few buy ins and leave. Well, I found out quickly that I was not a good player and proceeded to lose my buy in within 30 mins and it wasn't because i got unlucky. Didn't even bother to do another buy in as I felt so defeated and utterly disgusted. I left the room and told myself that I will never play poker at a casino again. I remember playing very very loose passive, limping in way too much and calling a lot of gutshot draws. That memory will always be with me.
 
My first time I went to a casino it was the local Indian casino named Winstar, just over the TX border in OK. I played the lowest stakes 1/2, thinking it was "the beginners level". I figured the experienced players had moved on to higher stakes. I figured wrong.
Within 15 minutes I figured I was the only beginner at that table. After about an hour I was felted and didn't rebuy.
 
My first time in a casino was at my 19th birthday back in 2008. Some friends and me went to the casino in Interlaken to play a tournament for a hundret bucks. Sat down, recieved 1500 in chips, starting blinds 50/100. Absolute donkament. Most of the other guys played absolutely agressive, shouting "rebuy!" all the time. I just sat there, let me blind down and then we went to the hooters right the street up. We enjoyed lots of food and beer for the the rest of the evening. At the end we didn't even find the door on our way out. Great night overall, 10/10.
 
First casino trip was back in 1996 with a bunch of my high school friends. We had all just turned 19 and made the trip to Windsor.

We didn’t know how to play any table games and poker was only something we played against each other on New Year’s Day for quarters stakes. I don’t even know if they offered poker. We played slot machines and got drunk, and smoked Cuban cigars.

It was a great time!!!

2 years later I went to Vegas for the first time and my GF’s father taught me how to play craps at NY NY. The next Windsor trip I taught all my friends how to play and we had even more fun since we could all play at the same table and win and lose together.
 
My first time playing poker at the Casino was like in 2005 or 2006. It was at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. I went to the AC Casinos many times before that, but I played Black Jack, 3 Card Poker, Roulette, and some Carribean Poker. For some reason before that time I was intimidated by playing live poker at the Casino. I always like watching the room of people playing poker at the TAJ. I enjoyed playing poker with friends & home games and Tournaments.

One weekday I had off from work from working the weekend and when I got up I said F it I’m going to play Poket at the TAJ today. When I showed up I asked the desk what games they had and what were the amounts I needed. I chose 1-2 NL. I Went to the cage and bought in for $200. My very first hand I’ll remember forever. Would you believe I got AA. I knew I had to raise when it got to me so I made it $15. Everyone else folded and only an older Gentleman called. He had to be in his late 50s or even 60s. Looked like an older guy from the Neighborhood in NYC. Flop, turn, and river don’t produce any Face cards. I had managed to get him to put all his Chips in. It was about $150. I was excited that I believed I was going to win a bunch of money on my very 1st hand. When it came time to show when the dealer said let’s see the cards guys he said I have three of a kind. There was a 9 on the board. So I thought to myself F@&k!!! He probably has 3 9s and then threw my cards in the muck. As soon as my cards went in the Muck the guy so said oh sorry I read my cards wrong I have two sixes and not 3. I was like what? The dealer says it’s too late you Mucked your cards. I was so New I didn’t even know what Mucked meant. I was really pissed at myself, but i didn’t curse anyone out or really complain to anyone. I was kind of embarrassed that I had just been “Kneecapped”. The guy next to me knew what I had and told me about my Kneecapping and explained Kneecapping to me. It was a hand I’ll never forget and an expensive first hand mistake I’ll never make again.
 
February 2005 at Soaring Eagle in Mt. Pleasant MI. Played 3-6 limit because they didn't have NL. Bought in for $100, cashed for $300. Hooked me for life.
 
Early 2000’s played 3-6 limit at San Manuel in CA. Came in heavy with $200, was up early and then slowly limped off about half my stack. I thought then if you lost at showdown you had to show.
 
First time playing live, I was 18 and played 3/6 limit. Folded for close to an hour. Got QQ on the button. Betting was capped preflop with 3 players. Flop was Qc7h2c. Betting was capped. Another club on the turn. Betting was capped. Another club on the river. Bet, call...

I fold my hand face up in disgust. The whole table looks at me like I’m an idiot. Players turn over K high flush and A high flush, as I suspected. But...

I failed to notice that the river was the 7c which paired the board and my folded hand was Qs full.

I was so embarrassed. I ending up playing there regularly as it was the only 18+ room around. The players gave me shit for a couple months, even after I showed I was a winning player. “You laying down queens full again?” :banghead:
 
First time in a casino was under age (by like a week) in Montreal. Just played Blackjack.

First time playing poker was a rebuy tournament at Akwesasne Mohawk I blew through all my cash and had to sprint over to the teller and do a cash advance made it back just in time to rebuy and add on before time was up. Went on to bink it. Then made it a tradition to play on St Paddy’s Day. Then blew through all my winnings learning how to play 5/10 LHE.
 
I have been playing poker since I was 13. However, it wasn't until 2007 at the age of 46 that I stepped into a casino poker room for the first time. I had been playing NLHE for about a year at a regular home game, and was ready to try playing in a real casino. I was a winning player, but still a bit of a nit.

Then, on a business trip I had an opportunity to stop by Atlantic City. I went to the Taj and bought in for $200 at a 1/2 table. I was very intimidated. I sat for three hours, and literally played only four hands during that time. I took down three of the pots and cashed out for $350. I have been hooked ever since.

This was before I had seen Rounders. Funny thing was that my experience was just like a scene in the movie. I was sitting in seat 9. Seats 6 and 7 across from me were a revolving door of obviously rookie players that would sit down and bust out in 15 to 30 minutes. When I saw the movie, it was like deja-vu.
 
ATLarchip said:
What does “kneecapping” mean?
Click to expand...
The way the guy explained it to me it is when somone calls out a hand that they really don’t have to try to get you to muck your cards. A lot of times the person will try to pretend they misread their hand like what happened to me . It worked on me being a Newbie at the time.
 
Last edited:
Nuhockey said:
The way the guy explained it to me it is when somone calls out a hand that they really don’t have to try to get you to muck your cards. A lot of times the person will try to pretend they midread their hand like what happened to me . It worked on me being a Newbie at the time.
Click to expand...
Wow. Surprising that this happens, and happens so often there is a term for it. Thank you for explaining.
 
I guess I am somewhat of a rarity in that I very seldom played in home games (maybe once) prior to playing in casinos.
The first time i can remember playing in a casino it was 1-5 spread limit 7-stud at Boomtown (now the Silverton) in Las Vegas while my brother in law played blackjack.
That was early 1996 and at my sister's suggestion. She seemed to think that I could play longer on a smaller stake than if I was playing blackjack. She gave me a book she had and set me on my way.
Unfortunately she was playing high stakes 'survive cancer' and lost, shortly thereafter.
 
crussader said:
I have been playing poker since I was 13. However, it wasn't until 2007 at the age of 46 that I stepped into a casino poker room for the first time. I had been playing NLHE for about a year at a regular home game, and was ready to try playing in a real casino. I was a winning player, but still a bit of a nit.

Then, on a business trip I had an opportunity to stop by Atlantic City. I went to the Taj and bought in for $200 at a 1/2 table. I was very intimidated. I sat for three hours, and literally played only four hands during that time. I took down three of the pots and cashed out for $350. I have been hooked ever since.

This was before I had seen Rounders. Funny thing was that my experience was just like a scene in the movie. I was sitting in seat 9. Seats 6 and 7 across from me were a revolving door of obviously rookie players that would sit down and bust out in 15 to 30 minutes. When I saw the movie, it was like deja-vu.
Click to expand...
I remember feeling the need to always take a shower after playing with those grimy Taj chips lol
 
My first time was at the Taj in AC. I lived in the suburbs of Philly and my family would vacation in Stone Harbor, NJ every summer. I am 41 now and I think my first trip was in 2003. I had been playing home games and online since maybe 2001. I sat down at a 2-4 limit game with $100 and it was both intimidating (lol) and exhilarating. I quickly had 2 Jack and Cokes to sort of calm the nerves and then I made quad 7s and won something like a $60 pot. It was the greatest feeling haha. I've been hooked ever since. I STILL get nerves of excitement each time I sit down (I work full time and usually play two 5 hours sessions a week).
 
My first time playing in a casino was in a tournament at the Paris casino in Vegas (Circa 2008 I believe). I believe the buy-in was around $60-$70 and they had 2-3 tables. (Yes, Paris did have poker tables at one point, but it was only a handful). I had gone to Vegas with my buddies, and didn't have a lot of money (still don't). I think I took about $500-$700 for the entire trip, not knowing what to expect. My buddies were at my table as well. Early in the 2nd level, I had pocket kings, and raised. Flop came out Queen high with 2 rags. My buddy bet, I raised, he shoved, I called. He turned over Q 10. Turn was another Q and I was out.

Day 2 was a small tournament over at Treasure Island. Again, sat with my buddies (random draw), and in the second level, I saw a flop with A 10 off. Flop came out KQJ rainbow. I bet, buddy raised, I shoved, he called with KQ. Turn was another Q, and out I went again.

Now, my buddies really went to play table games and slots, so that is what we did most of the time. My buddy Jeff ended up coming in 2nd in the 1st tournament, and cashed in the other. Neither of these guys really played much poker before that trip :confused

About a year later, @Chippy McChiperson and I took a bus trip up to AC, and I played in my 1st cash game at the Trop. Bought in for the full $300 for a $1/$2 game. I had decent cards, but really couldn't catch much. I was down about $50-80, when this hand happens.

I am in the BB and look down at QQ. UTG raises to about $10. 1 fold, and the next guys makes it about $35. I flat, and we are heads up. Flop comes out Q high. I check my option, and he bets $45~ish. I think, and shove. He snap calls, fists bumps, and flips his Aces over. I show my Queens, and he is dumbfound. Turn K, River A. I think Chippy and I saw pockets Queens showed about 7-8 times from players that day, and never once did they win.

I was on tilt.. I went into the casino and plopped about $200 on the Texas Holdem table game .. and promptly lost that just as fast. I don't think Chippy won that day either, and it was just a bad day all around.
 
My first time playing I sat at a 1/2 game and bought in for 200.I sat in the BB position.

First player makes it 15 bucks. He gets 6 callers. I look down at pocket aces. I nervously contemplate what to do. Of course I shove. I get one caller with pocket 6's. My aces hold up and I think casino poker is the easiest thing in the world lol
 
I've been to a casino a little before my 18th birthday, played some roulette, some craps. Been there mostly for a free buffet.

The first time playing poker was sometime later. There is a card room that opened more than twenty years ago and now operates more than ten card rooms all over Austria. But the first and oldest is right next to a gentlemen's establishment, actually sharing the same building. So, let's keep that in mind, as you figure a younger me heading there. Excited and eager, but kind of afraid of losing too much money, so I figured I'd play a tournament which automatically limits my possible losses. And the playing time as I needed to get back to the office the following day.

I get in line to sign up for the tournament - yes, there were lines back in those days. When, out of the blue, an older regular comes in, smelling nice and combing his hair. Not only did everyone know where he came from, but most said so out loud and greeted him warmly. I was more like "...oookay..."

I ended up final-tabling the event, winning a bit of money. It was two hours after midnight so I figured I'd spend some of that hard-earned money on a taxi to get home faster and get more sleep. Because, you know, I had to get to the office and would probably get like six hours of sleep. Little did I know that I would spend four of those six hours staring at the ceiling and replaying all the excitement in my mind.

By now I know better...
 
krafticus said:
I am in the BB and look down at QQ. UTG raises to about $10. 1 fold, and the next guys makes it about $35. I flat, and we are heads up. Flop comes out Q high. I check my option, and he bets $45~ish. I think, and shove. He snap calls, fists bumps, and flips his Aces over. I show my Queens, and he is dumbfound. Turn K, River A. I think Chippy and I saw pockets Queens showed about 7-8 times from players that day, and never once did they win.
Click to expand...
Maybe i'm just jaded, but I expect to be two-outed at least twice in any cash game or tournament.
If I'm playing Omaha, make that four times.
 
Playing poker for years, started in college and continued since. I like organizing people, so I built a table and would host a monthly game when we all lived together after college. My roommates would go to AC and play 1-2 NL. @Skinnypots would allways try to get me to go, but I was intimidated by the $300 to buy in. In the home cheeseburger stakes games and tourneys, I won more than I lost, so I thought I was a decent player. I ended up missing my connecting flight coming from the west coast and got stranded in Vegas for a night by myself. I stayed in the Imperial Palace (cheapest room I could find) and decided it was time to pop my cherry. I took $200 and sat down at a $2-$4 limit hold em table. I lost it all, but it took me several hours to do it. Called way too much and I thought raises would have more effect. The main thing I remember is falling asleep in the middle of a hand, it had been a long day by that point. Haven't played poker in a casino since. Can't explain why, not against it, just haven't made it happen.
 
longflop said:
Playing poker for years, started in college and continued since. I like organizing people, so I built a table and would host a monthly game when we all lived together after college. My roommates would go to AC and play 1-2 NL. @Skinnypots would allways try to get me to go, but I was intimidated by the $300 to buy in. In the home cheeseburger stakes games and tourneys, I won more than I lost, so I thought I was a decent player. I ended up missing my connecting flight coming from the west coast and got stranded in Vegas for a night by myself. I stayed in the Imperial Palace (cheapest room I could find) and decided it was time to pop my cherry. I took $200 and sat down at a $2-$4 limit hold em table. I lost it all, but it took me several hours to do it. Called way too much and I thought raises would have more effect. The main thing I remember is falling asleep in the middle of a hand, it had been a long day by that point. Haven't played poker in a casino since. Can't explain why, not against it, just haven't made it happen.
Click to expand...
Although I've never played there, i understand the action at Live! Casino is quite choice from several folks I know that have played there.
 
APatHand said:
Although I've never played there, i understand the action at Live! Casino is quite choice from several folks I know that have played there.
Click to expand...
I've heard the same thing. Between there, the horseshoe in Baltimore and the Hollywood in Perryville I have three options all within an hour, I just haven't made it happen. I'm a better tourney than cash player. I have looked up the tourney at all these places and just haven't made it work yet.
 
I don't remember specific hands from the session, but the first time I played casino poker was in 2009 at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club (now Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club). Back then, Florida had a stupid law that restricted all cash games to a maximum buy-in of $100. I played 1/2NL, but there were also 2/5NL games running. I'd heard that the 2/5 players would just buy in for $100, shove pre, rinse and repeat until they had a playable stack. Luckily, the law changed in 2010 and now we have uncapped games (limits are set by the individual rooms, not by the law).

I distinctly remember a hand from the first time I played in Vegas a few months later. I was playing 1/2NL at the MGM Grand and hadn't been there long when I noticed a player in EP look at his cards and jump a little. He raised, I was BTN with A9s and called. Flop 99x, turn and river were blanks, he bet every street and shoved the river - which I called of course - and looked shocked when he rolled over KK and it was no good.

I did well that trip. :cool
 
Fall of 2005 in Philadelphia, MS at the Pearl River Resort. I was scared to death about the amount of money I would need, but my friend told me that $100 would be plenty to play for awhile. The game was $3 - $6 limit and I played for 3 hours. The only thing that I remember is that I was dealt QQ and there was a misdial. I am sure that I was extremely tight and passive and slowly lost everything.
 

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