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The first time you step into a real card room at a casino, you might be a little intimidated. That feeling comes with good reason. You have just stepped into a room full of other poker players who want nothing more than to take your money.
If you are there to have a jolly time and socialize, that is fine too, but don't ever lose sight of why people are really there, and this is money!
The first thing you will need to do is find the player board. This is where you find out what games are going on and if there is a wait for any of them. Depending on the time you are there, and the casino, there may or may not be a wait to get on a table. Weekends are usually pretty busy and there probably will be a wait.
Simply approach the person working the board and tell him or her what game you are interested in playing. If a spot is open you will be taken to it right away. If you have to go on the list, they will call you or give you a pager so you know when your spot is open.
If you are going on a weekend, or when it might be busy, call ahead to the poker room you are going to and see if they take phone reservations! This will save you from standing around for hours waiting when you get to the card room.
Take it easy the first time you go. There is no need to sit $10/$20 and lose one thousand dollars. I am not saying you can't play a higher limit at some point in the night. Get your feet wet at something reasonable though. Try something in the $3/$6 to $5/$10 range. Once you are comfortable with the idea of playing live, then you can jump up to $10/$20 and lose your months savings.
Realize you are playing against a bunch of strangers but try to remain in focus. You now have as many as eight brand new opponents sitting around you, Analyze them, study them, get to know how they play.
You will need to be more patient at a real card room. You are one person at one table, the amount of hands you can play in an hour are quite small compared to an average online game.
Don't be an idiot. Be patient. Wait for the solid hands that you should be playing. Wait for your big face cards and your suited connectors in late position. Queen Jack off suit is NOT a good hand in early position. Especially in a live room. FOLD IT and any other junk hand like it!!!
If you are going to a casino to play poker for the first time, and you have questions, contact us! We will offer up any information we can to make you a winner on your first trip :)
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Poker Strategy 
