Significant rake increase at The Lodge

[rkiray]

I thought about posting this in B&M, but that forum is usually fairly slow. I know several particpants of this forum play in Blackhawk so they should be interested in this. I wish I knew this before this morning. I would have saved myself an hour drive in each direction.

As of yesterday the 5/5 rake schedule (when an additional $1 is removed from the pot).

Pot size :

$10 $1 for rake
$20 $1 for rake
$30 $1 for rake
$40 $1 for jackpot
$50 $1 for jackpot
$60 $1 for rake
$150 $1 for rake

2/5

$10 $1 for rake
$20 $1 for rake
$30 $1 for rake
$40 $1 for jackpot
$60 $1 for rake
$150 $1 for rake (I'm not sure about this last one, the floorlady explaing the new structure got called away when I was trying to clarify whether they don't take this, or just that the pot almost never gets this big in 2/5).

I was surprized how quickly this affected the room (maybe it was just a coincidence). I arrived there at 2 PM and they had 1 empty 2/5 table and 5 empty 5/5 tables. There was immediate seating available at 5/5 tables and a long list for 2/5. They opened the last 2/5 table a few minutes later. When I left at 7 PM there was still an empty 5/5 table. All afternoon there was immediate seating available in 5/5. They paged the casino several times looking for 5/5 players. There were 2/5 players playing 5/5 while waiting for a 2/5 seat. Never seen anything like it in over 3.5 years of playing at The Lodge. Usually it is exactly the opposite.

There were only two action tables and they seemed quiter than normal. The chips were still flying but people weren't yelling as much and just didn't seem to be having as good a time. In an action game, I estimate the Lodge is taking about $80/hour more than they used to. So the average action player is losing $8/hour more than they used to (I'm convinced almost all 5/5 action players are long term losers). I guess all this makes sense, because the rake hike really won't affect the 2/5 games that much. I'm just surprized the effects showed up so quickly.

[TBone]

I was at Mountain High, and it was slow there as well. Not empty table-slow, but still slow. I think the weather had an effect on the front-range crowd, so I'd wait a couple weeks before making a judgement on the size of the crowd at the Lodge being due to the rake.

T

[Stu Pidasso]

That rake is insane.

I hope you told them you would not be back until its lowered.


Stu

[rkiray]

It wasn't slow, the 2/5 tables were full before 2:30 and there was a long 2/5 list. It was just the 5/5 tables were less popular than the 2/5. I've never seen that before. What rake is Mountain High charging now? Anyone been to Harvey's? I've only been there once and it was over 3 years ago. What rake do they charge, and how busy is there poker room?

I think the reason the Lodge will probably get away with this is since The Station and Bullwacker's closed they don't have much competition.

[TBone]

Sorry, I misunderstood your statement of there being an empty 2/5 table.

I'm not sure the exact rake at Mountain High. I believe rharless posted this in a previous post--you might want to search for that.

I've never been to Harvey's, but I hear they have a good tournament. (the only tournament in CO)

T

[rharless]

[ QUOTE ]
What rake is Mountain High charging now? Anyone been to Harvey's? I've only been there once and it was over 3 years ago. What rake do they charge, and how busy is there poker room?

[/ QUOTE ]

Mountain High and Harvey's rake are the same -- 10% capped at $3 and then $1 for the jackpot drop. Mountain High spreads 2-5 and 3-5; Harvey's spreads 2-5 and stud. I just confirmed with a friend that they have not increased their rakes (at least not yet).

Mountain High is not as busy as the Lodge but there is still usually a long (up to 2hr) wait if you arrive after 5p or 6p. Haven't been to Harvey's in awhile. I generally find their games to be tight-passive but I know others with much better experiences there.

[ QUOTE ]
I think the reason the Lodge will probably get away with this

[/ QUOTE ]

Can't say I blame them. Colorado players are generally the most rake-apathetic group I have played with, 2+2ers excepted. I never hear anyone complain about the rake and I have wondered all along how we got away with keeping it even at $3+1. It's only when I travel outside of Colorado do I ever hear negative comments at the table about the rake.

If I could charge the rakes the Lodge is attempting to charge, and maintain the action in my room, then I would certainly do so. If the market will bear it, why not? Time will tell if the action drops or not.

I believe the rake at the Midnight Rose (Cripple Creek) is $3.50+1 -- they are the only game in town at Cripple Creek, I believe. They are the only casino other than Harvey's to offer tournaments in Colorado; in fact a _lot_ of Denver players will travel to Cripple Creek specifically for their tournaments.