What does one do to get a seat at a table?
*walk in the room, and say "I want To Play.
How much of a bankroll should one have (assuming low limit)?
*10 times the low bet. example: 4 & 8 hold-em =$40. Some rooms do differ.

Assuming you don’t get cleaned and gutted right off how long do you have to stay? Can you leave
any time you want? Even if you are winning.
** Leave anytime.

Are the regulars tolerant of beginners or does the house try, at all, to match players by experience?
** Sometimes - sometimes not. - who cares if they are tolerant? No way to match by experience.

What games are best for a beginner and what games are played?
** 1 to 5 Stud - 2 & 4, 3 &6, or 4 & 8 Hold-em. Most rooms will have one of the hold-em limits.

And finally, back on topic, do all poker rooms use special chips and how do they feel if a player pockets a few without cashing them in?
** Most LV rooms do not have poker room chips. The ones that would not care if you took all they had.
Do not be afraid to play poker in LV. Most LV dealers/floor personel will go out of there way to help you, especially if you are a newbie. Let them know. Some rooms even have lessons for beginers.

After 35 years in poker and now 5 years out of it, I am really looking forward to the opening of the Palms and returning to poker.