Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

I will probably be heading to AC in January (on a Monday-Wednesday or so). I'm planning on staying at the Taj, and the $80+$20 twice daily tournaments seem to be what I'm looking for, in addition to ring games of course.

Has anybody played in these, and can you give a summary of the level of play, general number of entrants, etc.?

I'm imagining that these will be similar to Party's $10+$1 SNG's, both in level of competition and luck factor due to short levels. Is that close to the mark?

I wasn't planning on playing tournaments at other casinos because I have no experience with rebuys. Any other general recommendations though?

Thanks...

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

You'll find a mix of regulars, good players and people who have no idea. The problem with all the AC tournaments is the blinds and antes escalate very quickly. After a few rounds it becomes a push fest.

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

For something a little lower limit, the House of Blues (at Showboat) has a great daily tournament at 11am and 7pm. $40+10, 5K starting chips, no rebuys. Probably the best structure in A.C. The morning tournament gets 40-50 people.

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

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For something a little lower limit, the House of Blues (at Showboat) has a great daily tournament at 11am and 7pm. $40+10, 5K starting chips, no rebuys. Probably the best structure in A.C. The morning tournament gets 40-50 people.

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Excellent, thanks for the tip. I forget, is that walkable from the Taj in January?

So it's the best structure in terms of slow blind increases? Is the level of play equivalent to a low buyin SNG?

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

HoB is right next door to the Taj. Go in through the boardwalk so you don't have to walk through the whole casino, since the poker room is in the back.

I've played the tournament quite a few times and it's really fun. The blind structure (no antes!) is pretty good and the players are pretty bad.

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

270ish at yesterday's 12:15pm. I think this is on the high side for them though.

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

Played in the day after Turkey day early tourney at the Taj. Based on the day, the player count is likely skewed but they capped it off at 256 players and seated 11 to a table to start.

Blind structure is terrible ... antes start at level 3 (instead of 4 like most AC structures with antes) and you are down to a pushfest before the first break.

Also, breaks are every 4 levels which matters none to nonsmokers and a lot to smokers (nicotine fits tend to create tilted thinking as the break approaches).

As far as players, the usual mix of clueless WPT watching tourists, cash game rocks who don't adjust to tourney play (for example I raise 3xBB UTG with AKc and get pushed/pot overbet by AA from CO with no action between during level 2 who shows his Aces after I fold), weak tight players who limp preflop and fold to any resistance, and some solid players that showed knowledge of the adjustments required in tourney play. Probably 3 clueless, 2 cash regulars, 3 weak tight, and 2 solid tourney players at my first table.

Then I moved to a new table during level 6 and it was full of Rounders loving 20-somethings from Brooklyn (WPT watching tourists) and the 2 cash gamers from my first table.

Basically, its a lottery after level 2 and full of people who benefit from the lottery (rather than their skill). Again, because it was a high traffic day YMMV during non-premium times.

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

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270ish at yesterday's 12:15pm. I think this is on the high side for them though.

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I played in yesterday's and all the comments hold true. Played in one back in the summer (a 12:15 low buy in) and there were about 120 players then.

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

Thanks for all of the replies, great info. I wish the Taj and HoB had bigger gaps in their starting times; I'll probably have to stick with HoB as I'll be more comfortable with the lower buy-in.

Re: Daily Tournaments at the Taj
 

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Thanks for all of the replies, great info. I wish the Taj and HoB had bigger gaps in their starting times; I'll probably have to stick with HoB as I'll be more comfortable with the lower buy-in.

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You will be more comfortable with the HOB's chairs as well.