action at the Bike

The Bicycle Club is having a tournament during August. How is the action there in the 20-40 to 100-200 range?

catsclaw,


Note that I’ve been working at the Bike in a variety of capacities since the beginning of the year, but I’ll try to be as objective as possible.


If you haven’t been to the Bike in a while, this is the month to check it out. The Legends tournaments start at 3:15 pm so there is a lot of play before and enough players breaking out reasonably early to fill most or all (on weekends) of the tables in top section. The no limit super satellite at 8:15 pm does tend to break a game or two, but overall there is plenty of action in the evenings fed by the main tournament.


For example, today there was a $300 buy in Omaha H/L tournament. By dinnertime, a 30/60 Omaha H/L had started, and about an hour later, there was an adjoining 20/40 Omaha H/L. Both had good action most of the evening, especially the 20/40 with Hero in the one seat. You should figure that the tournament game generates good side action for that game on any given day.


There are usually two to three 20/40 holdem games with the action ranging from good to excellent. During the tournament, there also has been a nifty 15/30 holdem. Tonight it was full when I left at midnight and was solid all weekend. The 40/80 holdem goes down every day. There is often a nearby 40/80 or 60/80 mix game and sometimes a short-handed white chip game.


Sometimes there will be an interesting game not normally spread. Last night it was a 20/40 mix game, with holdem, Omaha H/L, and stud H/L. Some players not normally used to mix games gave it a shot and it was fun according to Hero, who jumped in despite no experience at stud H/L (or stud for that matter). There was a dealer’s choice pot limit tonight with 5/10 blinds, and a similar game has gone on most nights.


The place looks great after a lot of remodeling during the last few years. There is more space between tables then competing clubs, along with a pleasant atmosphere.


If you come in, come by and say hi. I’ll be propping middle section (3/6 splits to 9/18) and the floorperson for that section can point me out. I work Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday days (11am to 7pm), and Monday and Thursday evenings (3pm to 11 pm). I’m tending to play the 15/30 lately after shift, but would have loved to get in that 20/40 Omaha if I wasn’t on duty.


Don’t forget the filming of the World Poker Tour Finals on Saturday, August 31. I haven’t been a believer in the potential for big time TV for poker, but from what I have seen so far, this could be a big winner. The promotional video was stunning and this will have first class production values with Lyle Berman and Steve Lipscomb.


Regards,


Rick

how does the super satelites at 8:15 pm work?

thank you

The super satellites are all no-limit holdem and are designed to allow participants a chance to win entry into the final $5000 event on August 30 and August 31 (the final table on August 31 will be filmed for the World Poker Tour). Extra prize pool money is distributed as in a normal tournament. The first entry won is non-transferable, but if you win more than one entry, they are transferable. There is a separate $15,000 points championship for super satellites, so there are players entering every one. The cost is $100 plus $20 entry with $100 re-buys the first hour. This is a good chance to learn no limit at a relatively low risk and cost and get a chance to win entry to a tournament with the big boys. There is a link to the section of the Bike's web site that covers super satellites below.


Regards,


Rick

If they are so crowded, why do they need to employ prop players ? How much do they pay you ?

rick may be one of the few people with their head in the sunshine in the casino world. he is worth it, but all casinos dump you after they have gotten what they want from someone. too bad.

Theo,


In California, anywhere from the smallest to the largest and busiest card clubs often employ prop players. Props can be used to help start games, keep a game going when it is temporarily short, extend the life of a game and so on. A good prop, effectively used, is good for the customers and the card club (and obviously, the opposite is true).


Prop pay varies. A movable prop that must play 15/30 to 20/40 limits usually gets about $25 per hour. A smaller limit prop would make less, and a higher limit prop would make more. Unmovable or “Silent” props usually make less. Full time props usually get benefits, which can be an important consideration.


Where I come from it is considered impolite to ask someone about their salary, but since I now have lived in California for twelve years, I’ll answer, sort of. I have other duties besides propping, so my pay is somewhat higher then the normal pay for my limit I play. But with all the hours I actually put in, I’d be better off at Jack In the Box /images/wink.gif.


Regards,


Rick

Thanks Ray. I do disagree with your statement regarding “all casinos” (replace the word “all” with “many” and I wouldn’t argue). The Bike has many employees who have been with the company a long time, and in general has a very good reputation regarding treatment of employees (err, I mean “Team Members”).


Obviously, I’m hoping to help bring more business to the Bike. And IMO, bringing in more business does not have to come at the expense of other clubs. The poker business is capable of phenomenal growth, even in an entrenched area such as Los Angeles.


Regards,


Rick