So, you’ve cut your teeth online and felt the burn of virtual money. Now, you’re ready to feel the weight of real chips in your hands and experience a different side of poker. However, there are some things you need to know before jumping into the live poker scene. & This page outlines the biggest changes you need to make when transitioning from playing online to live poker.
Casino - Review of Games, Software & Bonuses for NJ PlayersYou might be surprised by how many fundamental differences there are between playing online and face-to-face. Although the main goal and basic strategies remain unchanged, almost every other aspect requires adjustment. From etiquette and cashier procedures to pace, readings, and table customs—it’s all different. If you want to survive (and thrive) outside the digital realm, you must understand these 10 commandments of live poker.
Commandment 1: Thou Shalt Arrive Early
Arguably the first thing you need to know about live poker is punctuality. Unlike online poker, where you can jump into games at any stake at any time of day or night, live tables fill up and slow down depending on the time of day. Some venues require you to put your name on a wait list well in advance and certain games can have hours long queues. And once you’re seated, you’ll likely be required to play a minimum number of hands or orbit (once around the table) before quitting or changing stakes. Therefore, thou shalt arrive early to get a seat at the game and stake level that you desire.
If you show up late or try to leave early, you may endure the wrath of the pit boss or have to pay an extra buy in. For example, if you buy into a $100 /$200 game for one orbit and then quit, you may have to forfeit your buy in or pay another to get back your chips.
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Commandment 2: Honor the Rack
Protect your cards!
This is another important rule to follow when it comes to live poker. When you’re sitting down at a table, you’ll be provided with a card rack to hold your cards. This communal rack serves several purposes. Firstly, it stops players reaching across and feeling your hand (although they’ll find other ways). Secondly, it protects your cards from being accidentally knocked over by the dealer. Thirdly, it shows the other players that your hand is being looked after and therefore negates any accusations of “mucking” (miscalling) your hand.
So what’s the big deal? Well apart from sounding like pirates, players have been known to tuck their cards behind the chip rack so that they aren’t officially mucked, but can be looked at surreptitiously. This is against the rules and rightfully frowned upon by everyone. So honor the rack and use it to protect your cards and your reputation.
Checkout our Glossary of Poker Terms to learn more essential poker terminology.
Commandment 3: Thou Shalt Not Countsturk
Don’t be “That Guy”
We’ve all seen this guy online. Somehow spotting a pattern that doesn’t exist, this player starts raising every hand in the hopes of getting to show down. But in live poker, this tactic is not only annoying; it’s against the rules. Excessive raising (known as countsturking or donk betting) will get you warned, ejected or banned, so don’t be that guy and play normal.
Although there’s nothing wrong with being aggressive, you should still adhere to preflop chart recommendations based on your hand and the action in front of you. Moreover, you need to consider pot size and your stack depth relative to the blinds and bet sizings. In other words, it’s not appropriate to 3-bet every hand if the pot is $10 and the blinds are $1/$2. That will just piss people off and give you no return on your investment.
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Commandment 4: Thou Shalt Respect the Big Blind
The big blind is often a caller, not a 3-bettor.
This golden rule of live poker builds on the last point. It’s not appropriate to 3-bet or 4-bet the big blind. Why? Because it’s awkward for both the BB and the button.
When you 3-bet or 4-bet the big blink, the button has to fold or move all-in (MAI), thereby wasting his money and ruining his reading flow. Likewise the big blind now has to 5-bet, 6-bet or MAI every hand, which gets expensive very quickly and ruins their reading flow too.
Free Penny Slot Machines to Play Online For FunThere are two exceptions to this rule:
- You know the big blind is a hyper-aggressive maniac that wants to play every hand with you.
- You’re making a stand alone bluff versus the big blind and accept that you’ll clash with the button frequently.
Other than that, show the big blind some respect and don’t disrupt the game behind you and to your left.
Commandment 5: Know the Table Rules and Etiquette
Every table has its own quirks and customs.
Live poker etiquette goes way beyond following the official tournament rules or knowing when to bet. Every table has its own personalities, pet hates and quirks. As a guest on this table, it’s your job to abide by its customs and make the experience pleasurable for everyone else.
Moreover, it’s your job to find the right table for you. Maybe you like to play fast and nobody splashes around? Or perhaps you love banter and playing with chatty Americans? Either way, it’s your responsibility to find the perfect table dynamic and, if possible, stay there. More on finding the right table dynamics .
Additionally, it’s your responsibility to get used to the local customs. UK players are very different to Italians, who are very different to Americans. You have to adapt your style and attitude to fit in. We explore some of these nuances in this article about UK live poker etiquette, but it’s up to you to do your research and figure out how to behave in whatever jurisdiction you’re playing in.
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Commandment 6: Take Care of Your Drinks
A drink in one hand, chips in the other = amateur.
Drinking and poker go hand in hand (pun intended), although we’d advise you to take care of yourself and not get smashed while playing. Not only will alcohol impair your judgment, it will also dehydrate you and make you play poorly. Plus no one likes a screaming drunk in the tourney.
Apart from being good for your health, keeping a handle on your drinks also improves your poker. Unlike online, where your drinks are delivered silently and without fuss, dealers will bring chips and drinks out to you in live poker. Indeed it’s common for dealers to throw chips and drinks over to your spot if you run low.
Casino Review NZ 2023 | Bonuses, Win Rate & Games - Indivisible GamingHowever, if you’re not careful, a dealer could accidentally throw a drink in your lap instead of on your spot. Equally a dealer could accidentally throw chips in your lap instead of a drink. Therefore keep a firm grasp on your drinks and never let them out of your sight. A Player’s Card will help in this regard (see commandment seven).
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Commandment 7: Get a Player’s Card
Casino loyalty schemes are your friend.
On the subject of drinks, food and casino perks, you should always sign up to a Player’s Card scheme as soon as you start playing live poker. Also sometimes known as a Loyalty Card or Mug Club, this little piece of plastic will get you free or discounted drinks, meals and merchandise, as well as points for your play that can be redeemed for cashback, holidays and luxury gifts.
It costs you nothing to get a Players Card and it will improve your playing conditions on multiple levels. Not only will you get free drinks brought directly to you (see last commandment), but you’ll also get birthday presents, special promotions and invites to tournaments. What are you waiting for?
Commandment 8: Thou Shalt Not Multi-Table
Multi-tabling in live poker? Harder than it looks.
If you’re used to multi-tabling $5/$10 NLHE with four tables on PokerStars, there’s no need to be arrogant about your skills when entering the live arena. Despite what many players believe, it’s actually much harder to play multiple live poker games at once.
For a start there is no clock or clear indication of what’s happening on each table. You’ll constantly miss bets and actions, which can cost you a lot of money if you’re used to the speed and safety of online poker. Moreover the social aspect of live poker is fun and profitable if approached correctly. Eavesdropping and people watching are legitimate tools in a live setting, so you should spend all your cognitive energy sharpening these advantages rather than trying to squeeze five games out of an old brain.
Our advice? Stick to one or two games and immerse yourself in that one game. Learn the ins and outs of the table personalities, the deck, the quirks of the pit boss, the tendencies of the dealer and the tips of the floorman. There’s so much going on in live poker that you’d be foolish to try and split yourself across multiple tables.
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Commandment 9: Thou Shalt Tip the Staff
Tipping the dealer 1-2% is standard.
Dealers, floormen, drinks servants, security guards - none of these people would steal your chips or intentionally harm your profits. In fact most of them are there to serve you and make your poker experience better. The least you can do is say please, thank you and offer a tip when appropriate. And in live poker, tips are expected. Here are a few pointers on who to tip and when.
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The Dealer – It’s customary to tip the dealer 1-2% of your wins. So if you double your buy in, tip $2 to $4 to the dealer. This isn’t a bribe to influence the game, it’s simply a way of saying thank you and acknowledging their role in your success. Other than putting the tip directly in the muck pile or raking it in with the rest of your chips, there’s no need to be ostentatious. By the way, tips for deals also work like this (see below), except they are usually paid before the hand is dealt.
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**The Floorman – **These guys are underrated. Not only do they keep order and adjudicate disputes, they’re also a great resource for information. We’ve settled millions of bets and made countless bucks from prop bets based on information gleaned from friendly floor managers. Plus they earn peanuts for a thankless job, so tip the floorman $1-$5 whenever he does something nice for you or gives you correct information.
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The Drinks/Food Waitress/Waiter – These folks will be on sticks or easily identifiable in some form, so make sure you get to know them. Ordering drinks and food through these staff will ensure prompt service and a tidy bill (they’ll add it to your tab and you can tip later.) Plus you’ll get to know the ins and outs of the restaurant and maybe even score some freebie desserts. Make sure you TIP BIG AT THE END to get the best service. This is an industry where staff survive on tips. Don’t be cheap.
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The Valet, Taxi Rank or Car Park Attendant – These guys get spat at, coughed at and verbally abused on a daily basis. Don’t be one of those players. SMILE AND TIP YOUR VALET. Life’s too short to be miserable. Indeed a smile and a buck can brighten up someone’s entire day.
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Security and General Venue Staff – These unsung heroes are working hard to make your evening safe and enjoyable. SMILE AND SAY THANK YOU. You don’t need to tip these staff but a kind word goes a long, long way.
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Commandment 10: Enjoy Yourself
Smile and enjoy live poker.
This final commandment ties all the above points together. Playing within the rules, respecting others, smiling and tipping will make you popular in the poker room. People want to be around positive, generous individuals that enhance the game for everybody. And if you can radiate positivity, while protecting your cards, looking up plays, bantering politely and buying drinks in during key hands, then you’ll become the life and soul of the party.
Of course there’s a fine line between being confident and being a cocky prick. Try to straddle that line as best as you can. Remember there’s always someone better than you, or luckier than you, so embrace your losses and revel in your victories. Most importantly, though, is to ENJOY YOURSELF. Poker is a wonderful game full of fascinating people and mind-bending decisions. Smile, take a deep breath, laugh at your mistakes, pat yourself on the back for a great play, and soak up every drop of live poker that you can.
Transitioning to Live Poker Made Simple
Making the leap from online poker to the live felt can seem daunting, but it really doesn’t need to be. Sure there are differences, but most of them are easy to adapt to, particularly if you’re already an experienced poker player. Our hope is that these ten simple commandments provide a solid foundation for making a smooth and profitable transition to live poker.
Ultimately the benefits of playing live poker outweigh the drawbacks a hundredfold, so we implore you to get out there and find a venue near you. For more insights into what to expect, check out our guide to . Good luck at the tables!
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