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Most rooms have a railing that separates the playing area from the waiting area of the cardroom. It's often a good idea to spend a few minutes standing at the rail, just getting an overview of the room. Don't stand right next to a table unless the rail separates you from it, and don't stand directly behind a player. It bothers some players.
The particular procedures involved in getting into a game are not standardized-they vary from room to room. In this chapter I give you an idea of what to expect, but the specifics depend on the room. Don't hesitate to ask a cardroom employee if you are unsure of a procedure.
Somewhere in the room will be a floor manager or host, usually called the "brush" in a poker room. Before you can take a seat at a table, you'll have to find him. He maintains a sign-up sheet for the waiting list in each game.
You'll need to be prepared to tell the floorman or brush what game (Hold 'Em) and what limit you want to play. Ask him what limits are available. Put yourself on the list for any limits you will be comfortable playing. A beginner should probably start in a 2/4, 3/6, or 1-4-8-8 game. (In the next chapter I explain what these numbers mean.)
I sometimes put myself on the waiting list for every game and limit that the room has available. If I decide I don't want to play a certain game, I can always turn the seat down when my name comes up, but getting on all the lists leaves my options open.
You can't just sit at an empty seat; just because a seat is empty doesn't mean it's available. It may be that a new player is on his way to take the seat, or there may be some other reason the brush will want you to take a seat at a different table. Generally you will not be allowed to take a seat without referral by the brush, so don't try.