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Poker Virgins

ESPN will begin airing new episodes from the 2009 World Series of Poker events this July. This will inevitably bring in new poker players to local card rooms. Everyone wants to be the next Phil Helmuth or Annie Duke. Before heading to your local card room, consider the following tips:

 

1) Visit the website of your local card room and learn about the room. Find out what kind of games they offer. Although, ESPN focuses on no-limit Texas Hold’em; there are numerous other games including limit hold’em, 7-card stud, Omaha and variations of these games like Pineapple, Hi-Low, Razz and Horse. Most new players should start with lower limit games; like the 2-4 limit hold’em available at the Silks Card Room.

 

2) Find out what promotions are available at your local card room. Some card rooms offer a “Bad Beat” jackpot. This requires one player holding a specific type of hand being beat by another player holding a specific type of hand. The hand type can vary based on the game. For example, the Hard Rock in Tampa has a “Bad Beat” jackpot. For Texas Hold’em one player must have four-of-a kind or better and that player’s hand must be beaten by a player holding a higher four-of-a kind or better. In this case, both players must use two cards in their hand to make four-of-a kind. This jackpot varies and is currently over $60,000. However, in Omaha; it is four-of-a-kind Jacks or better to qualify for the jackpot and in stud; it is Aces’ full of kings or better to quality. Each game type has their own “Bad Beat.”

 

3) The dealers, brushes, cocktail servers and cashiers are all in the service business. This means a good portion of their income relies on tips. It is customary to tip your dealer when you win a hand. In many cases, non-alcoholic drinks are free. Yet, the cocktail servers to do not work for FREE; they survive on tips. If in doubt, ask how much a drink cost before you order. Lucky’s card room charges for hot chocolate and bottled water; however, they also offer various alcoholic drink specials.

 

4) Set a budget and stick to it. When you enter the card room, it can be intoxicating. Know your limit ahead of time. For this reason, many people prefer playing in a tournament. For a fixed price, you can play in a tournament. Beginner may like the mega stack tournaments offered at the Derby. For less than $100, players begin with 10,000 chips and these tournaments can last for hours. This is a great way to see a lot of hands.

 

Looking forward to seeing you at the tables….