LA Poker

Mez · #1 09-21-2004, 07:38 PM

I'm in LA and looking to find a game for Wednesday night. I play mostly holdem and prefer to play in a $40-150 NL tournament or some 1-2 NL or 5-10 ring games.

I'm in the Century City/Brentwood area - any suggestions for best places to find a game nearby?

tx

Stinglikeabee · #2 09-21-2004, 07:41 PM

You are closest to Hollywood Park which is right nearby LAX on Century. They have a good 6-12 holdem game. Not sure of weeknight tourneys though, I don't think so. They also spread no limit games but I usually don't play it but I think it's 200 buy in with 2-5 blinds....could be wrong about that one though since I never play no limit live games.

PokerSlut · #3 09-21-2004, 09:07 PM

Don't play Hollywood Park's NL games, they suck in my opinion. In fact, HP in general isn't such a great casino in my opinion. It has the atmosphere of a school cafeteria. Hustler is much better and is roughly the same distance.

If you want to play NL in a nearby casino, try Hustler's 2-5 $100min/$300max buy-in. Lots of action in that game on most nights, and with a $300 max buy-in you have some more room to maneuver without pot-committing yourself. Bike also has a good game usually but for the blinds you are talking about the closest you'll get in an L.A. casino is 2-3 $100 max at Hollywood Park, Bicycle, and Commerce. I have heard rumors about Hawaiian Gardens having a decent game but it's pretty far away compared to the others.

I don't think you'll find 5-10 in the casinos around here. I could be wrong, but I think in L.A. you have a choice between 4-8 and 6-12. I would recommend 6-12 at the very lowest because you'll pay too much in rake/jackpot drop otherwise. I played 6-12 at Hustler a week or two ago while waiting for a NL seat to open up, and the game was extremely soft with 3 people chronically short-buying and another couple who had no concept of hand selection and repeatedly lost to better kickers.

Rick Nebiolo · #4 09-21-2004, 11:44 PM

The Bike has a $50 + $10 entry with one $50 rebuy no limit holdem tournaments at 7:15 pm Wednesday nights with a $7500 guarantee.

We also have $100 ($2 and $3 blinds) and $200 ($3 and $5 blinds) restricted buy in no limit games. Naturally, we have 6/12 and 4/8 limit holdem too but I recommend the no limit (I'm a host in the no limit section but am off on Wednesdays [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] ).

Regards,

Rick

Rick Nebiolo · #5 09-21-2004, 11:51 PM

The Bike's web site will have more information along with an address and I think a map. In any event the Bike is located just east of the 710 freeway at Florence (which is about half way between the 5 and 105 freeways).

http://www.thebicyclecasino.com/

Rick

SuitedSixes · #6 09-22-2004, 07:04 AM

What's the legal gambling age in California? Arizona moved it from 18 to 21. I'm thinking of taking a trip with a friend who is only 20. Do I need to wait a year? Is it statewide? I am thinking about Chumash near Santa Barbara.

Mez · #7 09-22-2004, 10:50 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The Bike's web site will have more information along with an address and I think a map. In any event the Bike is located just east of the 710 freeway at Florence (which is about half way between the 5 and 105 freeways).

http://www.thebicyclecasino.com/

Rick

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Rick. That tourney sounds perfect. Quick question - how will traffic be at 6:00 if I'm coming from Wilshire & 405? I'm not sure if I have enough time to make it by 7:15, but I don't know traffic around here.

thanks for the help....

OrangeCat · #8 09-22-2004, 12:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Quick question - how will traffic be at 6:00 if I'm coming from Wilshire & 405? I'm not sure if I have enough time to make it by 7:15, but I don't know traffic around here.

[/ QUOTE ] That is cutting it close. THe blinds start small so if you are a few minutes late it might not matter much. Call the poker room and they will save you a spot.

Here are links to the 6 casinos with poker rooms in LA.

Hollywood Park http://www.playhpc.com/
Commerce http://www.commercecasino.com/index.htm
Hustler http://www.hustlergaming.com/
Bike http://www.thebicyclecasino.com/
Crystal Park http://www.crystalparkcasino.com/
Hawaiian Garden http://www.hawaiiangardenscasino.net

Rick Nebiolo · #9 09-22-2004, 09:21 PM

OrangeCat has it right but traffic to all casios will be tough.

For the Bike take the 405 south to the 10 east. 10 east won't be too bad. The stretch through downtown will be tough (look for the 5 south) but once you get to the 710 south about 7:00 pm you are OK.

Also, starting a few minutes late won't hurt you. After all Phil Helmuth does it all the time [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

~ Rick