Hollywood Aurora Weekly $150
 

In case anyone was wondering about the new weekly NLHE tournament at Hollywood Casino in Aurora, IL, I just got home from playing today. This is the third week, I think.

First, just a quick note on my play, I finished 22nd out of 70 and was fighting all the way. Most interesting play was when I was in the $800 BB with a stack of $1100. Not much to do other than push, so I took my chances with 62o and was ready to leave. Flopped a six and it held up against an AQ! Kept me alive for a while and I helped with some blind stealing, but I just barely made it into the 3rd hour (800/1600).

Anyway, the tournament was fun, but the structure is deadly. $150 buyin, 70 seats, 9 pay. Start with $2500 in chips and 25/50 blinds, doubling every twenty minutes! Then when it got to 400/800 and we were 8 handed, they started adding a small blind on the button - I don't play a lot of B&M tournaments, so I hadn't heard of that before.

I though the quality of the players was pretty good and a lot of people knew each other, so it seemed many of the local money players were there - my guess is at least half of the field.

Oh, and to get your seat, you need to get there between 9 and 10am, and get a wrist band. They draw a number at 10:30 and if yours is within the next 70 of that number you can register. I estimate about 200 people tried to play today. Then you need to wait for play to begin at 1pm.

I really needed to get some B&M tournament experience since I'm headed to the UB Aruba event, so it was worth it for me, but I don't think I'll make this tournament a habit.

If anyone has experience with the Wednesday tournament at the Trump boat in Indiana, I'd be interested to hear about it.

Re: Hollywood Aurora Weekly $150
 

That Hollywood tourney sounds like fun, albeit a little expensive for me at my level of experience. Also the doubling blinds must start taking their toll seriously quickly.

I've wanted to check out the Trump tournament, but it is unlimited rebuys for the first hour and no way am I getting involved in that. It is $100 total to buyin, I believe it is $80 + $20. Also, from what I hear they fill very quickly. I must say though, they have a nice room. All non-smoking, decent dealers, very accomodating to opening up tables if they have the players. I play there when I can.

I also hear a rumor that Harrah's in Indiana is having weekly tourneys but I haven't been by there to get the details.