Blanton13
05-05-2004, 04:55 PM
I've made the transition from being an on-line poker loser to a break even live action poker player. In my quest to find free money and easy games, I've played at three different Casinos over the last three days, with a fourth coming later this evening.
To preface my post or review, any one has read my previous posts knows that I have a lot of habits that loser players have. But I'm learning. Also, I live in Bonney Lake and I'm willing to drive to play. And finally, I like tourneys, Limit or No Limit.
Muckleshoot Casino
My first try at a live game was at the Muckleshoot Casino is the great Auburn area. First off, I've never been there before and I parked the furtherest possible way from the game room. I'm not a small man and I had a good sweat going by the time I got there. A mistake this fat man won't repeat.
The poker room was bigger then I thought it'd be. And it was loud. And there were mean looking people. And and and...it was hard to find the board and act in a way that didn't flash a sign over my head that said "FISH FISH FISH".
Asking around I was headed in the right direction and the sign-up was a breeze. The staff at the Shoot was very helpgul and friendly...they didn't even pretended that they didn't realize I was a noob.
I think there were about 64 or 65 players in the game. It was a $65 buy in, Limit poker game.
I played somewhat tight for the first three or four rounds, just to get a feel for the game. The first real hand I had was QQ and said "RAISE" not only louder then I wanted to, but two players before I should have. I got a laugh and both of those players folded. I ended up taking a nice little pot from it.
I got the impression that there was a strong mix of players there. One gentleman was very friendly in sharing his opinion of poker theroy, I repaid his graciousness by putting him out. It was unfortunate and I felt bad, kind of. When I made good moves I was complimented on it, and when I made a bad play, a couple of the more advanced players not only took my money but told me how they took it.
That's not to say there were unfortunate players there as well. What do I mean by that? Well, players you wanted to get out of the game ASAP because you were tired of their kibitizing. I'm new to the game, but isn't it bad form to tell other players NOT to call an all in after it's been met by one player?
All in all it was a good evening. I placed 8th and I'll be back there next Monday evening to try it again.
Goldies Shoreline Casino
Goldies has a daily $10/$10rebuy No Limit game. When I sat on Tuesday there were 42 players. Compared to the Shoot, Goldies had a lot more light. A LOT more. At the Shoot, there was no smoking in the tourney area, Goldies is smoking anywhere.
Since Goldies is a morning game it appeared to be more people who were either in the 20's demographic or in the retired demographic. And I knew that I wasn't the only new player there. I like the dealers at Goldies and the manager is a good guy as well. The serivice was good and you get breakfast comped if you play in the tourney. And all fat men love their free food. (and if you park in back, you can get right close to the door).
The game play? Well, it's agressive. I couldn't really get a good feel for the Shoot because the tables broke a lot. But at Goldies, I was able to sit with the same 10 for three rounds or so. In those three rounds there were about 5 All Ins and we lost two players.
Again, everyone was friendly and helpful. Which I've come to the conclusion that generally poker people are good and friendly people who lie like the devil. But if everyone is lieing, is it really a lie?
Over all, I really liked it and when I'm not working and want to drive the 45 miles to get, I'll go back. But why go that far when the Silverdollar is having morning tourneys?
Silverdollar Casino in Tacoma
Apparently the Siverdollar just opened their poker room this week. To kick it off, they're hosting 8:30 am games that have $300 added to it Mon-Thur, Friday it's $500 at 8:30 and then at 6:00.
I originally went there last evening to try there $25 tourny, but they didn't get enough players.
They had 12 players this morning and we started on 2 tables. It took about 4 rounds to get us down to one table. The dealers were great, espically Heath who pointed out my numerous errors in game play. Espically my last one where I was stunned that I was out....in the 5th spot. Which means only the top 4 pay out....
This was the first tourny that I sat down at and actually felt comfortable. Over the last couple of days I was able to get some of my chops in game play and then even review my play. That helped me this morning a good good deal.
However, I did make one HUGE mistake. On the BB I thought I had 44. Two callers and I checked. The flop came with a 4. I checked, check, and then the last guy raised me enough to get me all in. I've got trip 4's, so without looking at my hand, I call.
He throws over a QT. I throw over a 55. DOH.
Luckily they stood up.
My big mistake came again when I was in the SB with JJ. Everyone folded to me, so I called. I didn't raise. I should've raised after reviewing my Holdem for Advanced Players. Flop came K89. I check, he again raises enough to get me all in.
Since it was my biggest mistake, yes I did call. I called KNOWING he had a K. KNOWING I'D need a prayer to win the pot. KNOWING I was going home. But I called. Lesson learned.
Quick Review
1) I'm not a good player
2) Each Casino had a great staff and was very friendly. Risking the to much info post, the Muckleshoots bathroom was the cleaniest. An important thing when the kids need to go to the pool mid-tourny.
3) Poker players for the most part are the nicest group of people to take my money.
To preface my post or review, any one has read my previous posts knows that I have a lot of habits that loser players have. But I'm learning. Also, I live in Bonney Lake and I'm willing to drive to play. And finally, I like tourneys, Limit or No Limit.
Muckleshoot Casino
My first try at a live game was at the Muckleshoot Casino is the great Auburn area. First off, I've never been there before and I parked the furtherest possible way from the game room. I'm not a small man and I had a good sweat going by the time I got there. A mistake this fat man won't repeat.
The poker room was bigger then I thought it'd be. And it was loud. And there were mean looking people. And and and...it was hard to find the board and act in a way that didn't flash a sign over my head that said "FISH FISH FISH".
Asking around I was headed in the right direction and the sign-up was a breeze. The staff at the Shoot was very helpgul and friendly...they didn't even pretended that they didn't realize I was a noob.
I think there were about 64 or 65 players in the game. It was a $65 buy in, Limit poker game.
I played somewhat tight for the first three or four rounds, just to get a feel for the game. The first real hand I had was QQ and said "RAISE" not only louder then I wanted to, but two players before I should have. I got a laugh and both of those players folded. I ended up taking a nice little pot from it.
I got the impression that there was a strong mix of players there. One gentleman was very friendly in sharing his opinion of poker theroy, I repaid his graciousness by putting him out. It was unfortunate and I felt bad, kind of. When I made good moves I was complimented on it, and when I made a bad play, a couple of the more advanced players not only took my money but told me how they took it.
That's not to say there were unfortunate players there as well. What do I mean by that? Well, players you wanted to get out of the game ASAP because you were tired of their kibitizing. I'm new to the game, but isn't it bad form to tell other players NOT to call an all in after it's been met by one player?
All in all it was a good evening. I placed 8th and I'll be back there next Monday evening to try it again.
Goldies Shoreline Casino
Goldies has a daily $10/$10rebuy No Limit game. When I sat on Tuesday there were 42 players. Compared to the Shoot, Goldies had a lot more light. A LOT more. At the Shoot, there was no smoking in the tourney area, Goldies is smoking anywhere.
Since Goldies is a morning game it appeared to be more people who were either in the 20's demographic or in the retired demographic. And I knew that I wasn't the only new player there. I like the dealers at Goldies and the manager is a good guy as well. The serivice was good and you get breakfast comped if you play in the tourney. And all fat men love their free food. (and if you park in back, you can get right close to the door).
The game play? Well, it's agressive. I couldn't really get a good feel for the Shoot because the tables broke a lot. But at Goldies, I was able to sit with the same 10 for three rounds or so. In those three rounds there were about 5 All Ins and we lost two players.
Again, everyone was friendly and helpful. Which I've come to the conclusion that generally poker people are good and friendly people who lie like the devil. But if everyone is lieing, is it really a lie?
Over all, I really liked it and when I'm not working and want to drive the 45 miles to get, I'll go back. But why go that far when the Silverdollar is having morning tourneys?
Silverdollar Casino in Tacoma
Apparently the Siverdollar just opened their poker room this week. To kick it off, they're hosting 8:30 am games that have $300 added to it Mon-Thur, Friday it's $500 at 8:30 and then at 6:00.
I originally went there last evening to try there $25 tourny, but they didn't get enough players.
They had 12 players this morning and we started on 2 tables. It took about 4 rounds to get us down to one table. The dealers were great, espically Heath who pointed out my numerous errors in game play. Espically my last one where I was stunned that I was out....in the 5th spot. Which means only the top 4 pay out....
This was the first tourny that I sat down at and actually felt comfortable. Over the last couple of days I was able to get some of my chops in game play and then even review my play. That helped me this morning a good good deal.
However, I did make one HUGE mistake. On the BB I thought I had 44. Two callers and I checked. The flop came with a 4. I checked, check, and then the last guy raised me enough to get me all in. I've got trip 4's, so without looking at my hand, I call.
He throws over a QT. I throw over a 55. DOH.
Luckily they stood up.
My big mistake came again when I was in the SB with JJ. Everyone folded to me, so I called. I didn't raise. I should've raised after reviewing my Holdem for Advanced Players. Flop came K89. I check, he again raises enough to get me all in.
Since it was my biggest mistake, yes I did call. I called KNOWING he had a K. KNOWING I'D need a prayer to win the pot. KNOWING I was going home. But I called. Lesson learned.
Quick Review
1) I'm not a good player
2) Each Casino had a great staff and was very friendly. Risking the to much info post, the Muckleshoots bathroom was the cleaniest. An important thing when the kids need to go to the pool mid-tourny.
3) Poker players for the most part are the nicest group of people to take my money.