upcoming trip to LA
 

Next Tuesday, I will be flying to LA for the express purpose of playing low-limit Hold-em in their famous card rooms. My research indicates that the Bicycle Club, Commerce, Crystal Park, and Normandie Casino all spread 1-2 Hold-em. My question is: Is there any one of these choices that stands head and shoulders above the others as far as customer satisfaction? (Friendly dealers, non-rude customers, etc.) Or, since I will have a rental car, should I attempt to play them all? Any info you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

I've never played at Crystal Park or Normandie because they have reputations as ghetto cardrooms and I don't think they spread any middle-limit games. Commerce is worth checking out for its sheer size. The Bicycle is very nice, if smaller than other casinos. They have pretty good food.

I don't know if you'll be able to find 1-2, though. Even Hollywood Park had only 2-4 hold 'em the last time I checked. I think Commerce's lowest may be 3-6. You should call ahead and ask.

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

I called Commerce and the Bike a few weeks ago, and they both said that they have 1-2 Holdem games. I sure hope that this is true. As for Crystal Park, I noticed that it is in Compton, which doesn't have the best reputation. I guess I will stick with Commerce and maybe also try the Bike.

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

Just because they "have" a particular game doesn't mean that it goes regularly. Be sure to call in advance and ask if they have any 1-2 games going at the moment. Be very specific--# of tables, length of board (if any).

Honestly, I'd be surprised if the Bike or Commerce spread 1-2 regularly. A couple weeks ago I went to Hollywood Park with a buddy of mine who was going to play for the first time. They didn't have 1-2 there. Seeing as how Hollywood Park is the most ghetto of the big L.A. rooms, you'd think that if they had 1-2 anywhere they'd have it there.

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

No need to worry about customer service, dealers or player etiquette. After experiencing a round or two of the LA dead drop on the button you'll feel as if you've been through a prison anal rape and anything else untoward would seem bearable. Follow this link http://scppa.cjb.net/ and pay attention to the red outlined box in the upper left corner.

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

Holy crap! I had no idea that the LA poker rooms were so expensive for a low limit player. Thank you so much for the heads up. I think I will be heading down San Diego way and try my luck at Ocean's Eleven and Pechanga.

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

Good news and bad news, those two rooms are good for the low limit rake, they only pocket the blinds and you're live, whopee, but they're nearly 100 miles one way from where you'll be in LA.

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

Read the thread http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...arch&meta=

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

I've already booked a rental car, so I don't mind the drive. It sure beats trying to make a profit on low limit games in the LA cardrooms. Again, thanks for your input.

Re: upcoming trip to LA
 

i was in LA not too long ago, and got a chance to return to the fabulous commerce casino. go there. they don't take the rake off the button, but out of the pot.

i did see a couple 1/2 games on the weekend, and a number of 2/4 games regularly.

they gave me a poker room rate of $79/night. nice rooms too. someone told me that they're regularly $150 or so on the weekends.

floormen are really nice, as are the dealers. you might see some not so nice players, and the dealers put up with them, but i guess that's just the thing in cali. for the most part, it was a really good time and a fun atmosphere. give it a shot.

good luck