More importantly, it's in the casino's best interests to help you learn, even if it means nursing you through your first session or two. Once you understand this, you should feel less reluctant to seek assistance. I'm not saying that every employee will welcome a beginner with open arms, only that they're supposed to.

So how can you capitalize on this? Let's take another look at my first experience at the Marina. I made the classic beginner's mistake of trying to blend into a full table so I wouldn't draw attention to myself. That's precisely what you don't want to do, because while the casino has a stake in helping you learn, it has a bigger stake in keeping the action moving for the seasoned players. A beginner who slows the action is bound to draw a double dose of consternation--first from the house, and second from the gamblers themselves, who detest delays. The better strategy is to begin at a table that has no players at all. Tell the dealer that you've never played before and that you will need some help. In most cases, the dealer will be happy to oblige.

It doesn't hurt to consider the gender of the dealer. Choosing a dealer of the opposite sex is usually best. If a man and a woman are learning together, by all means go to a female. Otherwise, the man risks a testosterone-fueled blindsiding from a male dealer whose primary objective is to impress the woman. One more caveat. If a dealer is enjoying his empty table, walking up and forcing him to open the game may not endear you. If you sense resentment, just retreat and look for a friendlier face.

Which leads to the best option of all for first-timers--the party pits. Party pits, or fun pits as they're often called, are separate playing areas where the games have lower limits and the dealers and pit bosses are more relaxed. The concept is great, and these places are perfect for beginners, except for one drawback--the rules are sometimes worse than at other tables in the same casino. This means that players give up a little more in expected losses to play here. But it's an equitable tradeoff. Party pits come and go; the best one in Las Vegas right now is at Harrah's.