Commerce and Bike game selection -- question for SoCal players

[Aces McGee]

I will be playing at one or both of these places the weekend of May 7-8. I play 3/6 online and 4/8, 5/10, and 6/12 live, though I am bankrolled (in both money and, I think, experience) for 10/20 and wouldn't mind playing that high, though I never have before (I have played 5/10 full kill, though).

What games should I look to play? I'm (obviously) looking for a loose-passive game, but my impression is that aggression rules the day in California. Any games that are better than others? Any to avoid? What type of play can I expect?

Thanks in advance.

-McGee

[andyfox]

I'd suggest going to both places. Commerce is huge and will offer a large variety of games. There's no 10-20, however; they play 9-18 and then the next highest game is 15-30.

The Bike is, to me, a more relaxing place, not as loud with the tables spaced somewhat farther apart. The food is mediocre, but better than at Commerce. They do have a 10-20 (with 8-16 being the next lowest stakes level). Both places have plenty of games at lower stakes.

The games are prototypically loose and aggressive, though sometimes loose passive.

[Aces McGee]

Thanks, andyfox.

Do you know if either of those places have shuttles or anything like that to LAX?

-McGee

[andyfox]

I believe they do, but I'm unsure.

BTW, the closest casino to LAX is Hollywood Park. I don't know how the action compares to Commerce or The Bike, the place is a bit less grand than the other two. If I was coming to play poker, I'd not want to miss Commerce though, just to see it.

[dsw1977]

As Andy mentioned, Hollywood Park is a dump, but is very close (5 minutes) to LAX. They have a 10-20 game that isn't always going, and even when it is, IMO, is not worth playing due to the group of regulars that sit in the game. Otherwise 6-12 (I can't speak to) or 15-30 (agressive, but soft). Much better games are consistently found at Commerce or the Bike.

[ShawnHoo]

I guess it all depends who you ask. IMO, the yellow chip games at HP are the most loose-passive, easiest games I've ever played in.

[Richard K.]

At the Commerce head to the 9/18 section. You CANNOT find a bad game, and the waits are remarkably short. Get ready for a ride though, nuts galore - aggression is not really the right word - more like crazy loose play. And, get ready for some simply miserable behavior by many players.

Richard K.

[sternroolz]

Standard advice to Los Angeles poker visitors....rent a car.

Enterprise usually has economy class cars for under $25 a day.

Commerce will have the biggest game selection. Even though $9-18 is nuts, there are always at least 6-7 tables going Fri or Sat night and at least one will be passive. Also 10-20 $100 or $200 buy in no limit games going at night.

Hollywood Park $6-12 is ok...nothing great, nothing horrible. Most of the players are loose weak. The $15-30 is usually a bit aggressive. That is true of most of the $15-30 games in Los Angeles.

If you do rent a car be aware that there is no ramp from North 5 Fwy onto South 710.

[Sponger15SB]

[ QUOTE ]
The food is mediocre, but better than at Commerce.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the food at commerce is good. Its like 5 restaurants rolled into one at the tables.

My mouth is watering right now thinking of the kung pao chicken with the huge slabs of onion and bell pepper.

[private joker]

Just to throw my 2 chips in:

- The Bike is the best of the options regarding ambiance and intangibles; the games are almost as soft as Commerce (a bit more passive), my favorite of which is the 6/12, but you can't go wrong with anything from 1/2-8/16 there. The 8/16 is very aggressive, but stupid and easy to beat.

- As mentioned, Commerce is fun just because it's a damn airport/shopping mall of poker tables, and the 4/8 and 9/18 games are wild. The 6/12 is nice but their chips are absolutely filthy and they don't spread many tables.

- Hollywood Park is a dump, but the 6/12 game is like a fishy PartyPoker .5/1 table. And as has been mentioned, it's very close to LAX.

If you want to play lower limit, the 2/4 and 3/6 games at Bike and Commerce are donkey zoos, and simple to destroy (unless you run bad -- like when 42o chases down your top set of queens to runner-runner a one-card flush), but the HP low limit tables rake too much.