Hard Rock Casino Tampa--???

[kiddj]

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I play at the Hard Rock fairly regularly: super soft, but all they have is $1/$2 and $2/$2. How soft/hard are the "real" games on the Ocean Jewell? Is it worth the effort, or should I stick to crushing the low limit games?

Slightly off-topic: what strategy adjustments are necessary going from a $1/$2 game to a straight $2? (If there is a good thread on this, could someone post a link?)

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[vox]

I really doubt there's a "straight $2" strategy anywhere, since these tables are unique to Florida. But here are some tips for "moving up" that I've gleaned from my 30-some trips there this year, mostly at $2 HE:

During peak hours, that is, weekend evenings and post-concert nights, most $2 HE tables become "8-dollar tables". That is, the maniac chip-spewers will cap almost every hand pre-flop, and call down with any piece of the flop. To counteract this, a winning player must tighten up - don't bet or call a hand that you aren't willing to spend $8 on. Also, pick and choose your bluffs VERY carefully - 90% of hands see a showdown.

As a result, the variance at these games is insane. I usually buy in for $50, mainly because I play for fun, and losing more than $50 is not fun to me. But a player looking to not go to the table under-rolled should buy in for $100. I've seen players come in with $500 in chips.

I've lost my buy-in on 3 hands before (AA, KK, and K9 suited); I've also seen my brother rack up $240 profit in less than an hour. Of course, he estimates he's stuck $1000 since he started.

On less insane tables, players are still less likely to fold, since there's no increase of bets on the turn. Govern your bluffs accordingly.

The easy money is on the $2 tables, but $1-$2 more closely approximates good poker. Pick your game accordingly.

[kiddj]

Thank you! I'll probably stick to the $1/$2 then. It's less aggressive and I prefer to see a few flops without busting out. I am a low-variance player, so the 1/2 is fine for me, (the players are horrid anyway). [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Beantown]

Hey, I'm going to be visiting my sister in Tampa this summer and was thinking of playing at the Hard Rock. Do you know anything about their NL Hold'em Tournies?
Thanks.

[kiddj]

Check out: http://www.hardrockhotelcasinotampa.com/gaming/casino/

The calendar hasn't been updated for June yet, but I imagine the setup is about the same.

[Beantown]

Thanks, I've seen this page before.

I was inquiring more about the skill level of those in the tournaments. Any info you can provide would be appreaciated. Thanks.

[junkmail3]

I don't usually make assumptions based on appearances, but everyone had sunglasses. So ...

But honestly, I look at it this way. (I was just there last week ... on a Wednesday or something)

If the max limit is $2/$2, and you can play, and live in Tampa, and hate taking a boat out, and are a good/decent at SnGs, why not play them? More money, less time, etc.

The ring games were awful. The SnG looked decent, but they only had a satellite running, or I would have played.

[vox]

Hard Rock runs $28+$12 10-seat SNG satellites into their $200+$40 events, held on Saturdays. Yes, that's right, $28+$12. 30% juice. They're advertised as $30+$10, but they pay out the ticket and a $40 refund (not a reseat, thankfully) to 2nd. $240+$40=$280 prize pool, last I checked.

They also run a $63+$17 10 seated SNG satellite into their $500+$50 monthly NLHE "big" tourney. Same deal, winner gets the ticket, 2nd gets a refund. $550+$80=$630, hence $63+$17, not $65+$15 as advertised. Considering they're a poker room, they're not so good at math.

They run a variety of high juice tourneys on weekday afternoons, when tables are free and available. Hey, it's the only game in town.

[BREWMANCHU]

I have played there.

It is fun as long as you drink lots of beer and care nothing about winning. Your AK will get called the whole way with 82o. Might as well pull a slot machine.

However, if you just want to donk around, it should be fun.