Introducing Myself - n00b :-)

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to take a few minutes and say hello. I have lurked for a very long time before actually "joining" and have read your sites Wiz like they were my bible :)

With that being said - I am a female (shocker lol) and I enjoy gambling. I am apparently very good at most of it ;) My husband took me to Vegas in February for the first time (I had NEVER been) where we had a great time and lost my ass lol but in fairness to myself I was not concerned with "playing" as much as the fun factor.. so for my 5K I had a GREAT time!! We are returning Aug 3-6 (full family in tow - yup kids and all BUT gramma is coming for babysitting purposes lol).

I LOVE blackjack (always have) and on the last trip they TRIED to explain craps to me (ya that failed!) I watched my hubby a few and just stood there.. he tried to get me to throw the dice and I refused.. I left to go play BJ and my other games (Let it ride, 3 card and Ultimate Hold-em table). I know that 3 card and "let it ride" are horrible games but I love them and have won decent amounts from them but I also play with the reality that I am not going to "win" per se from them!

Now, for this trip my husband wants me to press my skills (and yes I do have them in poker lol). I am EXTREMELY nervous going into a poker room and I know most men do not like to play with women or they have that mentality they will break me (well they thought that until I cleared an entire table in one hand before lol but that was somewhere else). I just don't know how comfortable I am in attempting this in Vegas - just seems to be out of realm I think but still have the itch to try it. Do you guys have any advice for this particular situation? I am a decent player - I know how to play and am very controlled but psycho-female just enough ;)

I learned Craps (thanks to you guys) and have been practicing so I could play that with my husband but 99% of the time we enter a casino and just split up.

Thanks for the ears and sorry to ramble :) Nice to meet you all!

LET ME BE THE FIRST TO SAY "WELCOME"

Regarding crap/s: Even if you're not playing, go ahead and roll the dice. I know that some people don't like it when a person who is not betting is rolling the dice, but I hate it even more when people are skipped over if they are standing at the table. There's no fear in rolling the dice. I've heard people say that the last time they sevened out early. Well, it happens to everybody. Just have fun with it. Crap/s is a very social game and the more you enjoy yourself, the more everybody else at the table will as well. Place some bets, and shoot the dice. Start with easier bets, and work your way up to the more complicated ones. You'll pick up on it quickly, I assure you.

Regarding poker: When I used to play poker, I used to LOVE when a female player would come to the table, especially an attractive one who isn't afraid to show off some cleavage. I remember one time playing, and I had been doing poorly, just not getting the right cards, even though I did feel that I had the other players at the table read fairly well. I was about $300 down, and getting ready to leave, when a new player came in, a young blonde girl with a nice rack. Being as how all the other players were men, and mostly older men, I decided to stay. Not too long after she came in, I was up about $500, and went ahead and cashed out. I utilized her presence and the distraction she caused for my own gain. I also noticed that she was doing quite well herself. I'm pretty sure she wasn't a bad player, and just utilized her assets to increase her odds.

I'm not against that in poker, and I've seen it happen many times. My previous girlfriend enjoyed poker very much, at least at home, and I tried repeatedly to get her to play at a casino. I told her that she could use her naivete, her virginal aspect of playing in a casino, and her cleavage, to gain an advantage. She was not opposed to any of that, but just couldn't muster up the courage to actually sit down and play the game.

Again, all I can tell you is to go ahead and sit down and have some fun, and enjoy the game. If you're the type of person that will utilize your assets to give yourself an advantage, go ahead. And if you're not, that's fine as well. Strike up a conversation with people, and make it a social thing. If you start encountering people (men) who are rude or obnoxious toward you, then just leave. There are plenty of poker rooms in Las Vegas that I'm sure you will find one you will enjoy. I haven't played poker enough in Las Vegas to know where, but just try them all out. You might even mention to a floor person or brushman that you're leaving because of the rudeness of people at the table, and if they might know of a friendlier game somewhere in town. They may even escort you to a better table in their own facility.

As a summary, you have the right attitude in the desire to have fun. That's what it should be about. So have fun. And if you're not, just pick up and move to another casino. Plenty of choices in Las Vegas.

Quote: konceptum

Regarding poker: When I used to play poker, I used to LOVE when a female player would come to the table, especially an attractive one who isn't afraid to show off some cleavage. I remember one time playing, and I had been doing poorly, just not getting the right cards, even though I did feel that I had the other players at the table read fairly well. I was about $300 down, and getting ready to leave, when a new player came in, a young blonde girl with a nice rack. Being as how all the other players were men, and mostly older men, I decided to stay. Not too long after she came in, I was up about $500, and went ahead and cashed out. I utilized her presence and the distraction she caused for my own gain. I also noticed that she was doing quite well herself. I'm pretty sure she wasn't a bad player, and just utilized her assets to increase her odds.

Hahaha no I am not afraid to use what I got.. and I got plenty of them to use ;) I am not the typical "bombshell" but I hold my own at 5'8 ... let's just say I used to be in the entertainment biz many many many moons ago (ahhh gotta love what having children does to ya) .. while I don't dress ..umm.. slutty .. it's hot in August so I am sure I will wearing my tank tops ;)

If you're nervous going into a Vegas poker room, a good idea is to hit a place like IP/Flamingo in the morning. When I was there, it was a bunch of people in their 60s who were just trying to get their Pocket Aces and Pocket Kings cracked so they would get $50, and $100.

I even heard a lady say to someone "I have two pair, so you should probably fold". The young woman folded, and the older lady showed her two pair.

That will get you used to things, and then you can try some higher limits or different games later in the day.

My advice would be to play your way, and don't change if people piss you off because they treat you differently. When my wife and I play at different tables, she often complains that the older men say condescending remarks. Also, you can always move as a previous poster said.

Good luck!

I went to Vegas three times with the intention of playing some poker, and chickened out because I was intimidated by the poker room scene.

I'd suggest getting started in poker with a fairly low buy-in tournament. You pay the money up front and its gone, then you're playing with funny money. I find this much less stressful than thinking about how much money I could lose on any given hand if subjected to a bad beat during cash play. For about $60 you should be able to find a reasonable tournament that will let you play for a couple hours.

And I've never witnessed any animosity towards women at a poker table. It seems that most guys consider a female presence to be a welcome change of pace. I know I do.

Quote: clambert1273

Hahaha no I am not afraid to use what I got.. and I got plenty of them to use ;) I am not the typical "bombshell" but I hold my own at 5'8 ... let's just say I used to be in the entertainment biz many many many moons ago (ahhh gotta love what having children does to ya) .. while I don't dress ..umm.. slutty .. it's hot in August so I am sure I will wearing my tank tops ;)

Well, I would look forward to meeting you, and your tank tops. Where will you be staying/playing? Get up to the dice table and let'em fly. I have tried to explain the game to my wife, and she has taken "lessons", and given it the old college try. She's even thrown the dice, once. She just doesn't get the game, nor really show an interest. Got to give her props. She tried. Casino War and slots is more her speed. They are games she understands. Poker is foreign to her, so no use in even trying that. Blackjack, she and I have played together, in the early morning, so that I can help her in her basic strategy decisions. Profitable for the two of us, but she insists that she should split 10's. We're there (Sunset Station for sleep, downtown mostly, and The Strip for play) Aug. 2 - 6. We're leaving the kids at home. Friends are doing what you are doing...The whole family with grandma there for sitting the kids. Wish I would feel comfortable taking grandma to Las Vegas and have her stay with us, but, I am not. Kind of funny letting her see me gamble the kids' college funds ;>p.

HAHAH! :) we are staying at Circus Circus (as much as I cringe the kids LOVE it.. ) my mother-n-law is FANTASTIC.. she will gamble as well (later after 9pm) which will be when the 2 oldest (16 & 20 - and yes we are purposefully torturing the 20 year old!!) have to take over in the babysitting department.. damn I am a mean mom :)

I am sure we will be scurrying between there, stratosphere, TI, Monte Carlo etc.. Might go back to Casino Royale but hubby hates that place *shrug*

Should put you on the craps table with my hubby and I will play BJ with your wife LOL