Vegas Cardrooms compared to P* games

[hod]

I'm going to Vegas in a couple of months on a stag (bachelor) party. Amongst other things I and I'm sure various other members of the group will be playing poker.

I'm curious as to how the limit games there compare, ability wise, to for example P* games. I'm sure there are a few people here who could accurately compare the two.

I had mainly played NL tournaments and cash games socially and also casino tournaments. Online the variance playing low stakes no limit has driven me demented, losing buyins to some unbelievable suck outs so I have recently started playing limit, and am quite enjoying it at 0.25/0.50 and 0.50/1.00 so far. How does that compare to say a $1/$2 live table?

[mirageII]

Hi Hod,

I can't comment on the standard of the Vegas tables as I didn't get to play on any whilst I was there . What I can say is that in all the casino's I visited, and it was a lot, they only spread $1/$2 No Limit. All the limit tables were $2/$4 and $3/$6. Play wasn't anything special. The $2/$4 limit game seemed quite loose, plenty of tourists calling off their chips with a pair.



I did see David Sklansky playing in a game where most of the players had three racks of green $25 chips each. The $25 chips came as a suprise as the poker room has a $20 chip and most of the other tables were using those. (Raised section at the back of the Bellagio room).

I also saw the final table of the Doyle Brunson tourney... and spoke to Dave "Devilfish" Ulliot... one of the highlights of my visit. He came third and won a cool $250,000.

[whataboutj]

I am not sure about the limit games in Vegas but the NLHE $1/$2 is "no fold em hold em" for sure. Especially easy late at night when the players are drunk and have no clue what they are doing. That being said you may see a bad beat or two because of the donkalicious nature but can easily get it back if it happens
J

[Sea Vulture]

Basically, the 1/2 or 2/4 limit games in vegas are similar to the low stakes games on P*. You get 7 or 8 callers preflop, no matter the raise, and if any of these guys catch any part of it (including gut shot straights, weak flushes, or just have Ace High), you will likely get called down to the river.

If you can, whatever the next level up is in the limit games at that casino, play that level instead of the lowest. For example, if the room has a 1/2 and a 2/4 is available, play the 2/4. The Donk factor goes down a little.

[Button Potato]

There is an old saying about playing limit hold'em here in Vegas:

You can beat the good players by playing poker but you can only beat the bad players by playing cards. Most playing low limit hold'em in Vegas are bad players.

[w16227]

Originally Posted by Button Potato

There is an old saying about playing limit hold'em here in Vegas:

You can beat the good players by playing poker but you can only beat the bad players by playing cards. Most playing low limit hold'em in Vegas are bad players.

very true - some of the best tables are found realllllylate or rarely (depending upon how u look at it) as they are played shorthanded and there is less schooling (several fish calling preflop and cracking those aa together).

The basic rule of thumb- the players in Vegas at a given level will be much worse than at the same p* level - especially limit. I generally ignore 2/4 and start at 3/6 as this weeds out "some" of the poor play (especially at a room offering both limits). NL is a big tougher to find the right game mix (you want poor play - but not a table full of nofoldem).

Always exceptions.

[hod]

thanks guys, I think that pretty much confirmed what I thought, especially in that whilst there might be plenty fish, especially at lower limits, there can often be too many.

And who'd go to Vegas and get drunk?

[detroitdad]

I have only played a few cash tables at the Casinos (GreekTown, Detroit). The first time I played was a SAT. evening at 5 pm. It was a lot like playing online. Pre Flop bets (at the 1/2 cash table) were 10-15 bucks, with half the table calling. It was crazy. I played very patient and won a few bucks.

The second time I played was a TUE. morning. It was a lot like the home game. A chatty table, limpers, nobody losing a house payment in a single hand.

Good Luck, and keep us posted on how the trip goes.

B

[Big Mike]

Originally Posted by w16227

I generally ignore 2/4 and start at 3/6 as this weeds out "some" of the poor play (especially at a room offering both limits). NL is a big tougher to find the right game mix (you want poor play - but not a table full of nofoldem).

I too would avoid the 2/4 and go to 3/6, not because of the players but the rake (it's tougher to beat at lower stakes)

The only reason to not want a nofoldem table at any level is because you want to be more likely to win. The nofoldem tables will always be more profitable overall, just with higher variance. I'll take a table with callers to the river every hand all day, especially at limit holdem.
Remember, bad players give you money. You want to play against bad players.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

I too would avoid the 2/4 and go to 3/6, not because of the players but the rake (it's tougher to beat at lower stakes)

The only reason to not want a nofoldem table at any level is because you want to be more likely to win. The nofoldem tables will always be more profitable overall, just with higher variance. I'll take a table with callers to the river every hand all day, especially at limit holdem.
Remember, bad players give you money. You want to play against bad players.

All of this is true. I would take it even further and say anything under 6/12 is almost unbeatable because of the rake.

Nanook