POLL: What things do you look for in a LIVE cardroom?

[nolanfan34]

I voted for competent dealers, no smoking, and tournaments.

The smoking thing is important to me. I just hate sitting next to smokers. There's a card room that's about an additional 15 minutes from the other places I play, but I'll go there because they don't allow smoking in their poker room. For a while in Pierce County in Washington, they enacted a no smoking law, so all of the non-Indian casinos were no smoking, which was nice. Of course the restaurant assoc. sued the county, and the case is tied up in court so smoking is OK again.

I also like places that have a variety of tournaments. I like to play tourneys, and I wouldn't mind seeing casinos offer more varieties of tourneys. I don't think I could find an Omaha tourney even if I wanted to find one.

I didn't bother listing good action as a requirement, because at the low limits I play, it's kind of a given no matter where you go. For you higher limit guys I could see that being more important though.

[Porcupine]

Good games/action and non-smoking followed closely by "lower rake" are my main considerations.

The rest are really just "tie breakers", but I do consider: niceness of room/tables, cocktail serves, TVs and comps.

[mrbaseball]

Obviously good games/action.

But beyond that for me is comfort. And even if they have good games/action I may leave if I am uncomfortable. If it's the only game in town I'm stuck, unless of course it's real uncomfortable.

If I am at a cramped table I leave. My last LV trip decided once and all for me that I won't play at The Bellagio anymore on future trips simply because I loathe those old wobbly ass worn out adjustable chairs. I much prefer the solid feel of the 4 legged models at every other poker room. This for me is important and an easy decision.

[drewjustdrew]

I agree. Hot waitresses are the main draw. I choose the Orleans in Vegas for only this reason. If I want good games, comfort, and lower rake, I will play on-line.

[AceKQJT]

I'm an idiot. I chose:

1) Low Rake
2) Competent Dealers
3) Variety of limits

before I even noticed Good Games / Action

So I change my vote in the following order:
1) Action
2) Low Rake
3) Competent Dealers

(Do you see why?) [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

--Casey

[steamboatin]

Action is somewhat of a given, everyone wants action unless they suckout.

[Lawrence Ng]

1. Good action
2. Good management/dealers who know what they are doing.
3. Friendly social atmosphere
4. Cute waitresses who enjoy a flirt or two. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[Conspir8or]

I chose nonsmoking room and attractive room/nice tables. The warped, cigarette-burned tables at the El Cortez attract a wide range of characters, but they're not where I'd plan to spend 5 hours on end.

My third choice was other, and I will elaborate. I am primarily a 7-card stud player, and I like a range of stud limits and tables from which to choose. For those amenities, Foxwoods and Atlantic City are the most attractive. In Las Vegas, the choices are fewer -- Mirage and Bellagio, with maybe third place to the Orleans. I like to have a few 5/10 and 10/20 stud available, being a beginner, but what stud is being dealt in Vegas seems only to be 1-5 spread limit.

Had the Golden Nugget's (then) new poker room been spreading 5/10 or 10/20 7CS when I was staying there in June, I doubt I would have left the hotel grounds!

So those are my specifics for "other."

Good survey question!