The casino itself wasn't too busy, with about 5 people playing blackjack, and two or three at the roulette table. I approach the Cashier's desk, and tell him I'm here to play poker. I pay my 5 pounds buy-in, and receive a paper receipt. It was only around 40 minutes or so, but I'm nervous, and it certainly dragged for what seemed like an hour or more. Before I knew it, the announcement came over the tannoy.
All poker players please proceed to the card arena.
He's very charming, though, and is very helpful to me as a newbie player. I explain that I've played Hold'em, but am inexperienced with pot-limit betting or the rules that are specific to the house. He gives me a photocopied sheet with the house rules on it. I quickly read through the rules. The tournament is pot-limit Texas Hold'em.