10/20 or 15/30 HE in LA?

[WhatsEmo]

I recently moved out to LA and left behind a good 10/20 game in New York. Trying to figure out where the best place for me to play out here is. Is 10/20 HE spread regularly anywhere? I think my bankroll is more appropriate for the 10 game than the 15. If a regular 10 game is spread, is it raked or is there a time collection? Either way, what is the collection?

If there's no 10 game around, where's the best place to play 15?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[DaBartman]

Welcome to LA poker!

Yes, a 10-20 HE is spread daily at the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens. It goes down about 11:00am 7 days a week. Actually been quite a good game with a nice mix of players. About half the time a must move is going. The player base for this particular game has been growing steadily. Hollywood Park Casino also has a 10 game, but it is mostly spread only on weekends. There is no "rake" per se in California, there is a drop instead. Works likes this:

No flop: $ .50
4 players $ .50
5 players $1.00
6-7 players $2.00
8-9 players $3.00

IMO this is one of the best deals in L.A., especially if you factor in the clubs cash rebate program (pays my rent each month!). You'll understand it when you get here.
Luck.

[WhatsEmo]

Thanks for your help. I hope to check the game out this weekend.

[inkstain]

What exactly is the "qualifying period (http://www.thebicyclecasino.com/Special_Promotions/Player_Rewards_Program/player_rewards_program.html)" that the website is talking about? And why "up to $90"? Less pay if the game is short-handed? How is this tracked? Does someone come by and swipe the card every hour, or is there a magnetic stripe reader built into the table, or what?

Sorry, I've never played in LA...

(BTW, I found it somewhat amusing that someone is asking about finding a $10/$20-ish game in LA, consider it's the "poker capital".)

[Rick Nebiolo]

inkstain,

I just checked your link to our website (I work at the Bike) and some of the information is out of date (I'll forward an email tonight to the webmaster).

First you need to sign up for a Classic Club Membership Card. It's painless and takes about five minutes. Then for 25 hours of play at limits 9/18 and above within a calender month, you recieve $25 cash back in "Player Rewards". If you play less than 25 hours, you don't recieve cash rewards. For every additional hour of top section play beyond 25 hours, you recieve $5 per hour. So for 150 hours top section play in a month, you would recieve $650 Player Rewards cash back (actually chips, but you can immediately convert to cash). Some players cash in well over $1000 per month. The hours are tracked by swipes of the Classic Club Membership Card by a chip runner on the hour, so if you time it right in fact you can get three swipes in just over two hours. Bottom section players also get cash (obviously less) but can use three swipes for a meal.

The reason that there are not too many 10/20 games Los Angeles is that most clubs have 9/18 or 8/16, which is usually the top end of the jackpot games. To keep the games from interfering with each, generally top section starts at 15/30. The Bike has 10/20 (no jackpot) and 8/16 (jackpot), but they tend to cater to different crowds.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Regards,

Rick