pl games in london

[cornell2005]

who has played these? any recommendations? i usually play between 3/6 and 5/10 nl online. i will be playing these live games for fun, so a range of stakes if fine. any particularly good/fun ring games or tournaments in london? any help would be appreciated

[cockandbull]

Try the Victoria casino on the edgware road or visit www.gutshot.co.uk (http://www.gutshot.co.uk) and see what they offer. The games were 25 eng max buyin last time i checked.

Laters

Harry

[JFB37]

I play at the Vic pretty frequently for someone who lives in New York, probably 5-8 times a year for the past five years or so. I like playing there, but you need to adjust your thinking. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Respect the Home Field Advantage

There are some very good players at the Vic. More importantly, as explained below, there are some significant differences in local conventions that take a while to figure out. Be patient and observe what is going on. I can't tell you how many times I have been there and some American came in and started talking about how we do things in the States and his last big session at the Borgata 10/20 game. The locals invariably eat this up and take all of his money.

2. The Games

In terms of betting, everything is pot limit (see below). In terms of game type and limit there are usually the following choices.

Omaha (high only): This was the main game at the Vic for years, although Hold 'Em is gaining. There is always a 100 pound buy in game and sometimes a 250. There are very good plo players in Europe -- so be careful -- but there are also some very serious fish, so there is big money available. Last time I was there I saw a 5000 pound pot with both players all in on the flop. The guy who won needed to catch runner, runner to win.

Hold 'Em: There are two games. The first (almost always open) is a 50 pound buy-in. Here, the players deal and the dealer posts the small blind. I think this game stinks. The self dealing is frequently a mess and there is not a lot of action in this game. It is generally a local rockpile. The 100 pound game is much better. A typical table will have 2-4 solid players but there is frequently some live money. The only problem is that there can be a very long wait for this game, especially on weekends. Try to get there before 7:30 or so to have a good shot at a seat.

Dealer's Choice: This is where they play high-low games but often they are variations that are unfamiliar to an American. Do you have any idea how to play five-card Irish? I would recommend skipping this game.

3. It's Pot Limit

As mentioned above, all of the games are p/l and they play it aggressively. The vast majority of bets/raises are for the pot. If you aren't used to it, that means that the size of the bets is going to go up fast on the turn and the river. The size of the bet/raise does not have the same information content that it does in a soft NL game. Also, knowing how to manipulate the size of the pot can be important. Thumb through TJ Cloutier's book if you aren't familiar with the differences between pot limit and no limit.

4. Local Rules and Convetions

They are very persnickety about how you bet. It is by far preferred to announce the size of your bet when you are ready to act. Any fumbling that could conceivably be considered a string bet will get called. They also rigorously enforce a "no coffee-housing rule." If you say anything remotely related to the strength of your hand, your action will be declared dead. Comments like, "queens are no good," or "are you trying to make me pay for my draw," are strictly off limits.

5. Remember to Join the Casino

In the UK, to play at a casino you have to be a member and there is a 24 hour waiting period. You have to take your passport and go sign up the day before you want to play.

Good luck.

[cornell2005]

thanks a bunch

[daveymck]

Just to add to the excellent post.

The moody rule has apparently just last week been dropped by the Vic, so you may find the games more similar to you are used to re coffe housing etc but I would check that when you get there.

Also a new club has opened called the Western, which I cannot give any details of except that apparently it is dodgy (as in illegal) but a lot of the vic regulars and some of their staff have gone there, so it may be the games are not quite as tough as previous.

You can fax you application to the Grovsner as well get it from http://www.grosvenor-casinos.co.uk

The Gutshot tends to have a tournie each night with cash games starting as people leave that, most popular seem to be £50PL and £100PL with also dealers choice, I think the choiuce in dealers is quite widespread so I would stick to HE.

The £50PL tends to be self dealt but I have never been a loser in it as long as you play tight agressive is probably an easy game to beat. I havent played the £100 so cant comment. There is sometimes a £50 NL game but that has only been going once while I have been there, but basically put your name up for what you want and see if the demand is there.

Thursday nights there is no tournie but they do run £10 SNG's and sometimes a £20 or £50 SNG as demand, there is a £200 game that night but I havent been there so cant comment on how tough etc.

[daveymck]

Just reread your initial post if its fun and relaxed then I would goto the gutshot, its very laid back in the main and there are a few ex vic players there all of whom have said the Gutshot is a lot better.

Can turn up and play as well if you bring your passport.