NYC Poker Dealer

FAQ

Really... We have no clue what we are doing. Can you help?
Yes. Truly. When we say all ages and all skillsets, we really mean that. Don't be scared.

Why does a flush beat a straight? It feels way harder to get a straight.
You know what? For the first 50-60 years of poker, a straight DID beat a flush! But eventually smart people did the math and figured out statistically that a flush is more rare than a straight. All the hands are ranked in their proper order of scarcity now.

Isn't it all just luck?
There are only 52 cards. With enough repetition you will start to get a feel for how likely and unlikely things are (and we'll coach you through determining EXACTLY what your odds may be at any given time.) So it's not really random: the rules of probability apply. We can teach you how to put your money in when you have the best chance of winning and when to fold when you have the highest chance of losing. There's always randomness (like anything in life,) but there are times to invest and times to play it safe.

Is this illegal?
NOPE! Playing for real money or for play money is totally legal in your own home/office/wherever. Charity tournaments are legal as long as the prizes are not based upon the number of entries / amount of money paid by the entrants. Illegal poker games are when there is a "house" and they are collecting fees from the players in the form of "raking" the pots (taking some chips out of each pot before awarding the remainder to the winner of each hand.) We do not deal or help set up these sorts of games. Ever.

How much do I need to play poker?
That's the beauty of poker... you can play for any stakes at which you are comfortable. Some people set up games where everybody shows up with $25-50, some people set up games where there's another zero (or two) there. Some folks don't even play for real money, they just play for bragging rights (this is especially fun in tournament style.) Reach out and we can help you figure out what is best for you. And let us take a second to say that "bankroll management" is very important in poker: do not ever play with more than you can afford to lose. While we feel very strongly that poker is a game of skill (and therefore not purely gambling,) good practices should still always be maintained. We want you to stay safe and sane. If you need to talk with someone, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

I thought this was going to be fun?
Well... yes, and no. At low stakes / for fun, poker can be quite fun. If playing for "real" amounts of money ("real" being a different value for different people) poker can be stressful and/or boring and/or fun. It all depends on what you are hoping to achieve. Just communicate your hopes and we'll help you plot out your evening.

Why are you such a degen?