Poker Tip #5: Moving from the computer to the casino

Playing poker on the internet affords many advantages to a beginning player.  The most obvious benefit is that a player can gain experience quickly by seeing a lot of hands in a short amount of time.  One can play multiple tables, with little or no risk involved.  At some point, people get curious or have the opportunity and want play in a game at a casino.  If you have played online, in a home game, and know the basic rules, you have to take the leap sometime. 

This post is intended to highlight some things to consider when moving from the computer to the casino.

Poker Tip #4: How much to bet

This post is intended to provide a basic structure for beginners who are trying to determine a proper amount to bet in common cash game situations. 

How much is the right amount to bet?  I have been asked this question a lot over the years, and unfortunately, there is not a standard answer that applies to all situations.  The right amount to bet depends on many factors.

First, let's ask, what do I want to happen as a result of my bet.

The correct amount to bet or raise will be the amount that will achieve the response I want from my opponent(s).  If I want opponent(s) to stay in the hand, by calling or raising, what is the correct (or the maximum) amount that will do that?  How much do I have to bet if I want my opponent(s) to fold, when I am protecting my hand from a draw or bluffing?

Notice I will often express the amount to bet in terms of percentage of the total pot.  Good poker players know at least roughly how much money is in the pot before they bet.  Try to incorporate knowing the pot value into Poker Tip #1: Follow the action.  Computer players have the amount calculated for them and often need to adjust to this aspect of a casino game - one reason why I prefer live action. 

Pre-flop

The minimum raise allowed pre-flop is the amount of the big blind, or the amount of the previous raise.  A standard raise before the flop in NL Texas Hold ‘Em is 3x – 6x the big blind, or the amount of previous raise, sometimes more.  A player can also go “all in”, meaning bet all their chips, at any time when it is their turn. 

Example #1:  If the big blind is $2, the minimum raise is another $2, making the total bet $4.  In a $1/$2 NL Texas Hold 'Em game, a typical raise is to $10 or $12.  In an unraised pot, it is my turn to act and I have AA.  I will probably raise to around $12, maybe more if a lot of people are calling bets.

Example #2:  In a $1/$2 NL game, a player raises to $10.  It is my turn to act and I have AA.  There are no other callers.  I will probably raise to around $30.

Example #3:  In a $1/$2 NL game, a player raises to $10.  Two people call.  It is my turn to act and I have AA.  I will probably raise to around $50-$60 and hope one person calls or re-raises.

If I or my opponent have a short stack (low on chips), I probably will move "all in" pre-flop in Example #2 and Example #3, perhaps also Example #1.

With all these examples, I gave us the best possible starting hand (AA), but I would certainly raise and re-raise with additional hands.  I only limp with big pocket pairs if I am confident there will be a raise behind me, allowing me to re-raise, or to trap an opponent.  Do not make a habit of limping with premium hands. 

After the flop

The minimum bet after the flop is the amount of the big blind ($2 in $1/$2 NL hold 'em).  I hardly ever make a minimum bet.  It is often a sign of weakness, and/or attempting to chase a hand (straight or flush draw) cheaply.  I will raise people who min-bet, to the total amount of the pot, sometimes more, if I have a strong hand (or not, if I think I can get them to fold their draw).  Make it statistically unfavorable for them to continue to chase cards. 

After the flop, a standard bet ranges from half to the full amount of the pot.  Betting half to 3/4 of the pot will encourage action, and may give multiple players statistical "pot odds" to call the bet.  Betting 3/4 or more than the pot is a strong bet, which may discourage all but the most serious callers.  An over-bet could also be interpreted as a bluff, made in attempt to have everybody fold, and steal the pot.

Raises after the flop depend upon the amount of the original bet, if there are any callers, and how much money is in the pot.  If I decide to raise someone who bets after the flop, my raise would probably be at least the total amount of the pot, sometimes more, or could be "all in". (see Example #5). 

Example #4:  I have Ah, 10c (ace of hearts, 10 of clubs) and the flop comes Ad, 9h, 10d (ace of diamonds, 9 of hearts, 10 of diamonds)  There is $25 in the pot.  I have top two pair and think my opponent could either have a pair of aces; maybe a straight or flush draw because there are possibilities for him to have four diamonds or four cards to a straight.  I want to protect my hand from these draws and think that if he has a pair of aces, he may call with an inferior hand to mine.  I bet $25, the amount of the pot.


Four examples:

What could your opponent hold in this situation?
Odds calculator available at http://www.cardplayer.com/


Example #5:  Same hand and flop.  I have Ah, 10c (ace of hearts, 10 of clubs) and the flop comes Ad, 9h, 10d (ace of diamonds, 9 of hearts, 10 of diamonds)  There is $25 in the pot.  An opponent bets $10 and everyone else folds.  I have top two pair and think my opponent either has a pair of aces, or more likely could have a straight or flush draw, since both possibilities exist.  I want to protect my hand from the draws and think that if he has a pair of aces, he may call with an inferior hand.  There is $35 in the pot.  So, I raise to $45, making the total amount in the pot to $80.  My opponent will have to call an additional $35 to stay in the hand.

If I have a short stack, I will be eager to go "all in" with top two pair on the flop.  I would force my opponent to go "all in" if he is short stacked.

As these hands plays out, perhaps my opponent folds a draw, or calls, showing an AK.  He has a strong pair of aces, but I have two pair, and win the pot. 

One note of caution:  I need to consider hands that could beat mine (99 would be bad for me), and decide to keep playing, or fold if I believe my opponent could hold the better hand.

So, betting and raising is situational, based upon many factors, including what you want to happen as a result of your bet.  Also the value of the pot, stack sizes, your opponents style of play, as well as other factors.

My next post will focus on things to consider (like counting the pot) when moving from internet to live poker. 

Poker Tip #3: How to bet

This post is strictly limited to the mechanics of how to place a bet.  Basic betting strategy, including how much is the right amount to bet, will be covered in Poker Tip #4.

When it is your turn, the option is yours, depending on the situation, to fold, open with a bet, call an existing bet, or raise. 

Folding:

Folding is easy.  All I can say is fold your cards to where the dealer can reach them.  And do not expose your cards if the hand is still being contested. 

I was sitting in a seat away from the dealer in a game at Foxwoods, and had gotten into the habit of folding my cards with a light toss or slide precisely into the dealer's muck pile.  An opponent said, "you're really good at folding", meaning he liked how I tossed the cards and that they ended up in the right spot.  My reply was, "thank you, I've had a lot of practice". 

If you play a lot of casino poker, it's not as exciting all the time as it looks on tv (they edit the footage).  Be prepared to do a lot of folding and waiting to be selectively aggressive.   

What constitutes a betting action:

Different casinos and dealers have different rules.  Generally, if you release chips past your cards or the betting line circling the table, it is considered a bet.  When making a bet, call, or raise, there are a few ways to do it properly. 

Bets should be made in front of the player and ahead of the player's "capped" cards.  Place the chips ahead of the betting line circling the table, if one exists.  That will constitute a bet and the dealer can easily reach the chips. Occasionally players set chips out ahead of their cards to count them, without realizing that it can be considered a bet. 

Any verbal declaration, such as "call" or "all in" is binding.

When placing a bet, do not confuse your current bet with money already in the pot.  People do this sometimes in home games.
 

Betting and calling:

1.  Verbally declare "I bet" or "call" when it is your turn to act.  Then go to your chip stack to get the amount you want to bet or call.  If you do not have the exact amount in chips, the dealer will make change.  I keep track in case the dealer gets distracted and does not return my change after raking the pot.

2.  Simply put the amount of the bet or call into the pot without saying a word.  An "overchip" (single chip of greater value than the bet) is considered a call unless it is declared a raise by the player.  So, if the bet is $30 and I simply place a $100 chip out without declaring a raise, it is considered a call.
 

Raising:

1.  Verbally declare “raise”, then put out the amount to cover the previous bet and what you decide to raise in one motion.

2.  Don’t say a word, just put out chips equal to the amount of the previous bet and your raise in one motion.  Least preferred because sometimes the dealer and other players don’t notice you’ve raised, yet some people do it.

3.  Verbally declare “raise“.  In one motion, put out the previous bet.  In one additional motion, put out the amount you choose to raise.

4.  Verbally declare “raise” and verbally declare the amount of the raise or the total bet.  Take as many motions as necessary to count out and put your chips in the pot. 

So, if you're opening with a bet, or making a call, it is fine just to put the proper amount out  If you decide to raise, verbally declaring your intentions helps keep the game going because the dealer and other players know exactly what you're doing. 

String bets:

String bets, bets where a player does not make all of the intended bet in one statement or motion, are not permitted in most settings.  They are often accidental, but deceive opponents as to the player's intent, and can be used to gather tells. 

Examples are to say "I call your bet, and raise you $20", or betting in multiple motions.  The dealer will probably rule that you called the original bet and can not raise. 

As with my tip about protecting your hand, watch how players place their bets in a casino or on tv, and you'll see what I mean.

Also, don't splash the pot.  The punishment is you'll probably have to endure some bad Rounders impressions. 

Poker Tip #2: Protect your hand

Whether you are playing in a casino or at the dining room table, it is important to protect your cards at all times.  Cards are dealt face down and should not be shown, purposely or accidentally, to an opponent until all betting has been completed.  Players should cup their hands over the cards so only they can see when they are looking at them.  The cards should not be picked up off the table.  Cards should then be "capped" by placing a poker chip or other card guard on top of them.  I memorize the rank and suit of my cards but it is ok to look back if necessary.  You can see players do this by watching poker on tv or in a casino.    


One of the best ways to get information in a poker game is when an opponents cards are reveled.  You can review how the hand was played, knowing the cards involved.  Players folding while there is action behind them should be careful not to expose their cards.  Sometimes friends or players sitting near one another show their cards when they fold or when one of the players is not in the hand.  The general rule is “show one, show all.”  If I see this and want to know what the exposed cards are, I ask the dealer to enforce the rule.  Occasionally, accidents happen.  If you accidentally expose cards when folding while the hand is still being played, just say “sorry” and move on.  


If I notice that a player is exposing their cards when they are looking at them, I generally tell them once.  I say that I am not purposely trying to see their hand, but sometimes I happen to be looking in their direction and see their cards.  It happens more than you might think, especially since I am following Poker Tip #1: Follow the action.  It’s each players responsibility to protect their hand.  


Live cards should be "capped" so they are not mistaken as dead cards and folded by the dealer.  Also, if another player folds, touching your uncovered cards, the dealer can rule your hand is dead.  I have seen this happen in large pots.  The seats next to the dealer are most susceptible because players further from the dealer are folding towards those positions. 


Example:  At the Gold Strike in Tunica, an older man acting before me consistently exposed his hand while looking at his cards.  I could look at him and see what he had before I acted during every hand.  I quietly said to him that I could see his cards when he looked at them, thinking he would appreciate the information and protect his hand better.  Later, he won a $1,000 pot with a KJ, making a straight.  After the hand, I quietly said "good hand" and again told him I could see his cards when he looked at them.  He grunted so I knew he heard me.  A couple of hands later, I wasn't getting anywhere, so I informed the dealer. 


I was in the middle of a big hand when the old man decided to reply by asking if he and I had a problem.  He said he would call the floor man or we could just take it outside.  He did so loud enough for the whole table to hear, and while I was playing a hand.  As I am raking in my own $1,000 pot, I turned to the dealer, repeated that the player was repeatedly exposing his cards.  I had told him multiple times, and I thought it would be a good idea to call the floor man.


I shouldn't have done this next part.  It is out of character, but I do not like people who are disrespectful to other players and to the game.  I have very few conflicts at a poker table, however the old man was not only wrong, he thought he could talk down to me. 


When the floor arrived, I embarrassed the old man so thoroughly that anyone at the surrounding tables could hear.  I said that it was unfair to all players for me to see his cards, he ruined the integrity of the game, and someone playing in casino for money should be able to protect his hand properly.  I pointed out that I had politely said something twice and would not tolerate being disrespected by somebody who did not follow the rules of the game.  The dealer concurred, and the floor man instructed the old man to protect his hand. 


I wish he had not left within 15 minutes.  I apologized to the table for running the old man off because he was the easy money you want to keep at the table.  I wonder what would have happened if I had not attempted to be polite, and instead just played every hand knowing the old man's cards.  I'm pretty sure I know the answer.  Had he had stayed, he probably would have been separated from all of his chips.

Poker Tip #1: Follow the action

Don't look at your hand until it is your turn to act.  Instead, carefully watch your opponents.  They may give away information about how they play, the strength of their hand, or how they intend to act.  Do this preflop, as well as when cards are being dealt to the board.  In addition, when it is your turn, look to your left before you act.  The next player may be preparing to fold, call or raise.

Three easy examples to demonstrate the point:

Example #1:  I was playing late at night at the Mirage, and it was easy to tell from watching that a woman across the table was falling asleep.  She would generally look at her hand quickly, fold, and go back to napping until the next hand.  Often, the dealer would have to prompt her to act.  One time, she lazily looked at her hand, suddenly perked up, and raised.  I could not fold fast enough.  When the hand was over, it was revealed she had QQ.  Her actions that were out of the ordinary were correctly interpreted as her having a very strong hand.

Example #2:  It was my turn to act and I was deciding whether to call, raise, or fold during a hand at Foxwoods.  As I looked at my hand, I glanced to my left as the person to act after me was also looking at his hand.  When he saw his two cards, he literally jumped in his chair and reached for chips.  My decision to fold was easy.  My neighbor raised, and eventually doubled or tripled up with AA.

Example #3:  The other day, my girlfriend and I were playing in the dining room.  As I dealt the river card, her smile let me know that the 5 had completed the straight she was drawing to.  She made a very small bet.  Since it was cheap, I told her what she had, paid her off, and made her show me the winning hand.  Had it been expensive, or a real casino game, I would have known to fold and not lose any more money with my two pair.

I'll try to post a poker tip every now and then.  If you have a question, please leave it in the comments section.  I will either respond there or create a new post.  Until then, I'll assume nobody reads this anyways.