How to Play Casino Poker: 5 Beginner Tips

Poker rooms are a popular place in any casino, but you don’t have to be a pro to have fun and win big. We have the largest poker room in San Diego with 17 tables to choose from, including No Limit Texas Hold’em, Limit Texas Hold’em, Hi/Low Omaha and Hi/Low 7-Card Stud. But if you’ve never played poker before and are just getting started, don’t feel intimidated to ante up. Follow these beginner tips for how to play casino poker and get in the game in no time.

Tip #1: Learn the Rules of Casino Poker

It doesn’t hurt to have some basic knowledge of how to play poker. You’re not joining the high rollers without being prepared. However, the more you know before going in, the more confident you’ll feel to play. Each poker table or room will have its own buy-in cost, ante, and potentially its own set of rules. Make sure you know what you’re signing up for before plopping down among poker veterans who have spent years crafting their strategy. It’s also important to note whether you sit at a limit poker game table or a no-limit game. Sycuan Poker has ‘Poker Game Rules’ as well as ‘Expected Poker Etiquette’ conveniently posted within the Poker room and staff members are always willing to answer any questions you may have.

Tip #2: Know Your Chips

When you buy in at a poker table, you must use chips. Red are $5, green $25, and a black chip is equal to $100. The only exception to this universal color-coding is the $1 chip, which ranges from casino to casino. Rather than spreading your chips out in front of you, the courtesy is to neatly stack them in small piles. This makes it easier to keep things organized as you play, but also follows the rules of poker by allowing your chips to be visible at all times.

Tip #3: Keep Your Cards Down

Playing card games at the casino is different than playing them at home or in an online poker room. You are not allowed to remove your cards from the table in a live poker game as you might do when among friends. You must keep your dealt cards on the table and peek at them while they’re face down. If you’re at a poker table, it’s most likely the other card players will be concentrating on their hand and not worried about looking at yours. It may seem strange for the first hand or two, but you’ll get the hang of looking at your cards more discreetly.

Tip #4: Be Vocal

Ask questions if you’re not sure if it’s your turn or what to do next. Vocalize your next moves when it comes to “check,” call,” “raise,” or “fold,” when it is your turn. Your first action or announcement will be the only one accepted, so make your decision before you vocalize it. Of course, don’t give away your hand by announcing your cards, but to keep the action of the game flowing, when it’s your turn, make your intentions clear.

Understand Casino Poker Etiquette

Be sure to also steer clear of “string betting” which is an illegal type of bet in live poker in which a player fails to put all desired chips into the pot in one motion. When betting in a casino poker game, make sure to think ahead of your turn of how much you will bet. You cannot place one stack of chips in the pot and then go back to place more chips after. Your first stack of chips will be the one that stands as your bet.

Tip #5: Practice

Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t catch on as quickly as others when learning how to play casino poker. Everyone was once in your beginner shoes and it takes time to learn the game and find your own strategy and get into a groove. The more you get used to the casino atmosphere, the easier it will become to feel certain about your playing abilities. Remember that with practice, playing poker will become much easier and you’ll be able to play without thinking too much!

Make Your Way to Sycuan Casino

We make it fun for everyone at Sycuan. Whether you’ve been playing casino poker for years or you’re just getting started, we have events happening all week long for all levels. Take part in our early bird special and cash in on the rewards or once you get comfortable, enter one of our daily poker tournaments. Like any other casino table games, the more you practice, the better your game will get. Might as well have a good time while you’re doing it.