Mirage -Lucky Chances-Commerce

I mused over these three. Decided to try Caifornia-style poker at the Commerce (never been to either the Commerce or Lucky Chances before). I am Dive bombing into La-La Land on April 11 - and sneaking out on Sunday April 14.


15/30 and up to 40/80 hold'em and (mainly) Pot-limit hold'em are on the agenda. Maybe some Omaha hi-low, 10/20 or so. If I feel crazy, I may try Stud but my game is weak and undeveloped so only if I have extra money to spend on learning. Staying at the Crown Plaza.


Any tips, watch out for this and that, or general advice about the play would be appreciated. I have played a lot in Vegas, Reno, and a number of Indian casinos, but - Never in California.


Thanks.


-Zeno

Lucky Chances is just outside of San Fran, Commerce is down in southern cal


natedogg

I checked out the web sites of both casinos and decided on the bigger Commerce Casino in La-La land. I figured more games to choose from. I may be wrong - does Lucky Chances have more?


But yes, I was aware that LC was just south of San Fran. Thanks for input just the same.


-zeno

My experience at Commerce is 99% during the day. You'll have plenty of hold 'em games to choose from. By mid-afternoon, there are usually at least 2 15-30, 2 20-40, 2 30-60 and 2 40-80 games going. As anywhere else, the players are generally more sophisticated as you move up in limit. The biggest difference comes between the 20-40 and 30-60 games. 30-60 is much more aggressive. Of late, the 40-80 seems to contain a higher proportion of weaker players than the 30-60.


During the day, the biggest Omaha game is generally 9-18. The top section (15-30 games and higher) is in a separate area, basically in the hotel lobby, and the smaller games are in the older casino.


Collections are higher than in Vegas: $14/hour in the 15-30; $16/hour in the 20-40; $18/hour in the 30-60; and $20/hour in the $40-80. The red light, indicating collection time, goes on in the middle of the dealer's shift on the hour and on the half hour (a new dealer comes to your table at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour) and there are endless arguments over who is a new player, who can pay a lower amount because he just came from a smaller game, who sat down after the light, etc.


Ask Joe (little Joe, there are two Joes) to point me out to you if I'm there, love to say hello and chew the fat if you feel like it.


Mike L. plays at night, and I believe, more frequently than I do, perhaps he has some info. on the nighttime action.


Good luck.

I feel like such a sucker. But every time there's a collection, some percentage of the people (20-30% on average) explain why they don't owe the time. And usually, they get away with it.


This puts me in a weird position. It's like you get a freeroll every so often. You just say, "New player" or "Paid time 'there'" (waving hands generally eastward), or "Mersey dotes and dosey dotes." and they don't take your money.


But, well, what if I fundamentally owe them the money? Do I take my occasional freeroll, ethics be damned, or do I simply shove my money out there?


I do wish they'd not reward dishonesty quite so well.


Regards, Lee

"Mike L. plays at night, and I believe, more frequently than I do, perhaps he has some info. on the nighttime action."


the place is great. i lost a small fortune playing 40-80 for like 30 hours straight the other day, but i still swear by that place. the 40 is a bit more aggressive/dangerous, but still full of weak players with no real clue what theyre doing (me included i guess if youre really hot shit). the 30 is a bit softer and the 15 is like the softest easiest game in the world. ill be playing that for awhile trying to rebuild my bankroll i guess. guess i shouldnt have paid off that massive credit card debt, now i have little left to work with.


sorry if none of this really helped you with your . here let me try again: the games are better at night. sleep during the day.


andy, i tried to find you the other day and asked some old guys where you were. they knew who you were and all said what a nice guy you are, but you werent to be found.

oh im finding commerce to be quite strict on the time charge. theyre really annoying some people by being so strict about it. some people are very good at dodging it. ive been very good at dodging it at HP but not good at commerce. maybe ill start trying harder now that you bring it up.

Good choice. You may want to check out Commerce during a Big Tourney as well -- poker heaven!

I've played at all three and here's the rundown. The Mirage, you've got California Pizza Kitchen right there close. I like eating there. And I also like the lox-and-bagel sandwich at the snack bar, also near the poker room.


Commerce, sure it costs more to play there, so make sure to go hungry. Awesome food and lots of it, no extra charge.


Lucky Chances. Best to stick with foods that require no heat in the preparation.


tommy

Tommy- Goody, goody....I guess we will be having lunch at CPK at the Mirage while you are here. I knew you had good taste! Babe likes the Oriental Chicken salad and pizza! Also likes the 20-40 game. Good food and poker....what a great life! Yummy....

Thanks to everyone for all the input, tidbits etc. And hope to see a few of you at the Commerce. I'll be topped off with a Seattle Mariners hat - if I remember to pack it.


-Zeno

" lunch at CPK at the Mirage while you are here. I knew you had good taste! Babe likes the Oriental Chicken salad and pizza!"


me too! would love to meet anyone from here there for lunch or dinner between april 24-26 when im in town. pf changs is yummy too.

There's a PF Chang's just a couple minutes walk from where I live. On the way home this evening, I picked up some good porked fried rice for dinner.

Mike l. I will be at the S&M Q&A session at the Mirage on April 26th at 3pm. If you are there, how will I spot you? What do you look like, etc? Babe.