I was extremely nervous the first time I went to play at a casino. Having played in a lot of at home games, I still was unsure how to go about getting into a casino game and what to do exactly. I found that the structure at the casions are a lot simplier than an "at home" game". They only play one game at the table your at. Plus you don't have to know 20+ games with upteen variations! Also the games are very structured and easy to learn.

I have not taken a poker class at a casino but would suggest you take advantage of one if possible. That should also help you jump into a game and not be worried about what is going on. There are some important guidelines to know and getting those instructions up front will be helpful. (i.e., Always wait your turn before calling a bet or folding, how to raise in ONE motion. You can't raise by bringing in the current bet and then reach for more chips and try to raise, etc). Even if you don't know for sure and can't take one of those classes, the dealers will be helpful in explaining it to you as the game progresses.

I would also suggest you play on-line in some free poker games to see how the betting is structured and the games are played. You can play on-line for free at PartyPoker.com and PokerSchoolOnline.com.

I will try to explain my experiences to you. I'm sure there might be some casinos that do things a little different. My experience has been the same at each casino though.

Once you go to a poker area/room, many times there will be a board posted that shows the games offered. There will be a host/hostess (not sure their offical title) that you need to see in the poker room. (Simliar to what you see at a resturant). You can't just jump into a table game. You first must ask the host and they will seat you at an available table.

If you see a game you want to play in (i.e., 7 Stud, Texas Hold-em, Omaha Hi-Lo), proceed to host and ask if you can get into a game. If a seat is available, they will direct you to a table. If not your name will be put on a list and they will call you.

As you know, in 7 Stud, the game is played with seven cards. First two dealt down, four cards up and the last card down. Antes are treated differently than what you probably have experienced in your at home game. Let's say you are in a $1 to $5 7-Stud game at the casino... In this game, they deal all players two cards down and one card up BEFORE any money has to be committed. The LOWEST card faced up has to bring in at least the $1 minimum although that person can raise if they'd like. Usually the low man brings in $1 and then it goes around the table. Each person must "call" the current bet or "raise" or "fold". After all players have acted in turn, then the dealer will deal the 4th card to each player that has not folded yet. Now the high hand faced up on the table is the first player to act. That person may check, bet or fold and then that goes around the table. This continues until all 7 cards are dealt. Let's say everyone has "checked" around the board it it comes to you. You may check also or bet anywhere from $1 to $5. Once a bet is placed, and it is your turn to act, you may fold, call or raise. (Usually no more than 3 raises are allowed during any given betting cycle).

Texas Hold-em is structured a little differently. This game does have an "ante" that moves around the table. These antes are called "blinds". There is a small blind and a large blind. Before the cards are dealt, the small blind player would put out the small blind amount (Small blind would be only $1 in a $3-$6 Hold-em game) and the big blind would put out the big blind amount of $3. All players other players do not have to commit any money yet. All players are dealt two cards face down. Non blind players act in turn calling $3 (with option of raising) or folding. When it gets around to small blind, they have to call current bet or fold. If no raises have taken place, then they would have to call the remaining $2 or fold. Big blind would then act by calling or folding. If no raises have taken place, they can just check with thier original $3 (that they already put in) or they have the option of raising. After all bet calling, raising and folding has taken place with these first two cards, the dealer will deal three cards face up in the center of the table. These cards are shared by all players. (These first three shared cards are called the "flop"). A round of betting takes place after the flop. A Fourth shared card is dealt in center of table and round of betting takes place. Fifth shared card dealt and round of betting takes place. Betting is very structured in Texas Hold-em. In 7 Stud you can bet anywhere from $1 to $5 but in a $3-$6 Hold-em game you must bet a fixed amount in each betting round. In $3-$6 game the bet increments are $3 after first two cards (pre-flop). $3 increments after the flop. $6 bet increments after 4th card is dealt. $6 bet increments after 5th shared card.

Hope this helps and does not confuse you worse. As I stated earlier, it really is very very easy to pick up and a lot of fun. Just check your firearms at the door and good luck!