The average live poker game is softer than its online counterpart. The barrier for entry is much lower and many recreational players overvalue their home game experience.

For some players, online is the only form of poker they have ever known. Live casino poker is oftentimes out of their comfort zones, so they choose to miss out on the value of learning how to play poker in a casino better and taking advantage of the live poker games in their area.

First things first, at what time do you start playing? Most live games run until very late at night, even 24/7 in some areas. Just imagine dealers and recreational players shifting in and out while the same two or three live poker pros stay seated, printing money between bathroom breaks.

Most live poker pros agree that the best time of day for live casino poker is at night. You will ask why?

1. The night attracts younger players who can be a lot more willing to gamble. After all, for them, this casino trip is a casual, fun night out. 

2.Alcohol - this can cause loss of focus. At night you will find more recreational players willing to do a few shots before shoveling chips into the pot.

3.Recreational players who play live poker at night don’t just do it for the love of the game. They want to tell their co-workers a story in the morning. If you’re smart you can give them both the story they want and ‘‘charge’’ accordingly.

While weekends are naturally the best time for live poker games, there is something to be said about late-night weekday poker. Even though it lacks the sheer number of foot traffic going in and out of the room, it often features something else entirely: a deadline.

Now you know what time to play, but your hunt for the best game doesn’t end when you walk into the casino.

Take a look at the games that are available. 

Changing seats and switching games is something you will have to do almost every session if you want to maximize your profit. If you aren’t playing poker room musical chairs at least once per session, you probably aren’t changing seats enough.

How much to tip each pot is a longstanding discussion in the poker world. 

1. Your bottom line: Tipping is a cost of doing business in poker society, so find a number that is both comfortable for you and fair to the dealer. Recreational players tend to tip more than professionals because they’re less concerned with how it affects their overall profit.

2. The law of the land: Most people in the service industry, be it, waiters, chip runners, or dealers, make most of their money from tips. They usually get a minimum wage on top, but depending on your state, ‘‘tipping’’ minimum wage may be lower than what others make. With this in mind, be considerate and remember that these people need to eat and pay rent if they are to be good at their job.

3. Your reputation: As mentioned above, it pays to have friends in the poker world, and the best way to get on a casino staff’s good side is to be a good tipper. Obviously being a good tipper won’t give you better cards or any kind of unfair advantage in the game, but it can give you some great perks less generous players rarely see.