New poker player ?
This is the moment of your first decision: which game and for what stakes ?
Choosing a game is fairly easy; you already know which game is most familiar to you. It is best to start playing at a limit so small that the money is not important to you.
If the game you want is full, your name will go on a list and the person running the list will call you when a seat opens up.
Now is the time for you to take out your money and for the other players to look you over. If you run out of money during a hand you are still in the pot (the dealer will say you are "all-in"), but further betting is "on the side" for an additional pot you cannot win. You may want to tell the dealer that you are a first-time player. This is a signal to the dealer to give a little explanation when it is your turn to act, and to the other players to extend you a bit of courtesy when you slow down the game. The most familiar to the home player is the "ante", where each player tosses a small amount into the pot for the right to be dealt a hand. This is similar to the bring-in, but is always made by the person immediately after the player with the "button".
Your first impression will probably be how fast the game seems to move. If you are playing stud, several up cards may be "mucked" (folded into the discards) before you even see them; if you are playing hold'em, it may be your turn to act before you have looked at your cards.
Blog posts in General
New poker player ?
This is the moment of your first decision: which game and for what stakes ?
Choosing a game is fairly easy; you already know which game is most familiar to you. It is best to start playing at a limit so small that the money is not important to you.
If the game you want is full, your name will go o…
