So on Saturday I'm going up to fallsview casino at Niagra falls for a friends birthday and want to check out the poker room but I'm not sure what to expect. I'm an online player but I occasionally play in 1/2 and 1/3 backroom games here and there, so I'm familiar with live play but I have never been to a casino.

So I have 2 questions:

1. When I go in do I buy in at the table or how do I get my chips, also how does the whole waiting room thing work? Do I have to wait a long time usually? any other stuff I need to know?

2. What's the game like? I assume its easier than the backroom games I play in.
Are there a lot of regs? What are the weak players like? Tight? Passive? Generally speaking what style should I play?

Sorry I know I said 2 question but yea... lol.

Side question: Just wondering do they straddle in casino poker rooms (usually)?

thanks for the answer, this is kind of all over the place but I wrote it in a rush so yea.. lool

1. The floor will tell you if you ask these questions. Don't be afraid.

2. Most 1/2-1/3 games play worse than 5c/10c NL online (or prob even 2c/5c). Other questions have varying amount of answers. If I was going to give a generic answer, I would say play tight, bet your big hands, and don't bluff.

Regarding straddle: It is casino dependent. I've played in casinos where you're not allowed to straddle, casinos where you can only staddle UTG (and sometimes in a 1/2 game, the straddle is either $4 or $5), and casinos where you can straddle from any position.

For #1, see if that casino has a phone-in list and if so how long they keep you active for. Many poker rooms allow you to phone in to put your name on the list so when you actually arrive you're not at the bottom of the list.

For #2, live poker is a really weird and unique dynamic that can't be easily explained. In general, people call based on the size of the bet and not the % of the pot. So you'll see people calling $10 preflop with rags because it's just $10. Another thing is that people tend to be awful at valuebetting. A lot of people just go for one street of value with TPTK, or completely shut down when the pot is large if they don't have the nuts. Like checking a straight on the river because they are scared of the flush (but of course they're check/calling, never check/folding).

You really need experience to figure it out. Good luck.

You can usually just put your money on the table and the dealer will give you chips at the start of the next hand. I personally just go to the cage/cashier before sitting down and bring my chips to the table.

In terms of gameplay, obviously it will vary from room to room and table to table, but for the most part its not too tough. At first you should just be playing tight and straightforward, until you have a better feel of the table and have become more comfortable.

Straddle is room dependent, just ask the dealer.

Most importantly just relax and have fun. You will make much better decisions the less nervous you are.

Find out what the max is. Go to the cage and get that many chips in reds.. Skip the line and scout out (from your most likely 3-4 game selection) the best game. Find the biggest fish looking person sit in his left.. And play the bet way you know how - gradually switching gears as you learn more about your opponents

Quick fyi...Fallsview only plays 2/5 or above. No 1/2 at that casino. Casino Niagara has the 1/2

1a. Most of the places that I play ask that you make your first buy-in at the cage, and then you can re-buy/top off at the table as needed. Some places have chip runners or chip carts.

1b. Approach the podium/front desk, let them know what game you'd like to play. If there is a list, they will ask for your name or initials. I check the list and usually buy chips when I'm within a couple from the top. You can also take some time to check out the room, watch a couple tables and get at least a feel for how people are playing.

1c. Wait time varies (OFC). If the list is very long, they may open a new table. Some rooms are on the Bravo system, and you can check online or with an app to see the length of the wait list. The one time I called in to be put on the 1/2 list, I was informed that they didn't do that for 'those' stakes. YMMV.

1d. Your time at the table may be more enjoyable (and profitable) if you are pleasant and polite, and start things off casually. Be observant of the 'usual' stuff until you get the hang of things. After you get a hang of how the table/room runs... full speed ahead, without being a DB.

2. Don't know that room. Most rooms are at least 1/2 full with weak passive players. While not an expert, TAG and ABC seem to work best to start. As you get a feel for things, mix it up.

3. As mentioned, some places allows a 2BB UTG straddle, others allow BTN (or Mississippi) straddles. Some will only allow a 'blind bet'. Check with the floor, dealer or other players.


GL, have fun.

Do a quick search on the forums for fallsview casino would get your answer...

I love the action at fallsview for 2/5 even if you can't use electronics

Niagara on the canadian side, isn't that great - I would say for 1-2 the best place is the American Side Seneca Niagra... They have 100 max and 200 max....

I was thinking of going to falls-view tonight, but probably will go to turningstone as I believe they have some big tournaments going and the cash-games should be great... Best of luck to you..

Hope you have fun and get to party with some beaver and fish!

thanks for pointing that out

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don't forget this during your adventure

lol

thanks for the answers everyone, they were helpful