Poker Info and Pictures
Yep I am one of those characters that plays poker around the country. Been playing about 15 years now and has it changed. Sheesh. Used to be we could go to Binions Horseshoe in Las Vegas and stay there for next to nothing, Jack used to charge us something like 18 bucks a night. Never pay for a meal cause they comped us. And have a ball playing the World Series of Poker.
NOW along comes Harrahs and buys up all the properties. I don't think this is a good thing. I don't believe they are good for poker either. Case in point. I went to the 2006 World Series this year. I opened a line of credit at the cage like I always do. Then I asked them for a couple of thousand to play poker. They said.. oh we don't extend credit to poker players! WHAT! I was told I was more than welcome to go to one of the table game pits and get a marker and play any of those games. But no poker. I said you got to be kidding. But no that is their policy no credit for poker players. So if I were you I would vote with my dollars and not play at any Harrahs property. I even wrote the management at Harrahs to complain. I was brief and to the point and explained the situation. They wrote back that they would look into it and get back to me. I have never heard from them again. So... I will not play at any of their casinos unless I win a free seat.
UPDATE 10-5-09: Harrahs strikes again! I went to play in a circuit event at Harrahs in New Orleans. I drove around the casino until I finally found the valet parking. Went there and they told me they charge for Valet! I parked there anyway and when I came out many hours later they charged me $25 to park! Needless to say I was not pleased. So even though Harrahs is only 20 minutes from me I am driving to the Beau Rivage for my poker. See if I ever spend any money at a Harrahs casino. They just are not good for poker.
Besides because of all of this I found a wonderful place to play that isn't owned by Harrahs. It is the Orleans in Las Vegas. You park right outside the poker room door and they comp you something like $1.25 an hour to play. I played there almost the whole month of July and part of August. Then would go out to one of their restaurants and have a comped meal. They know how to treat customers. So if your in Vegas ... stop by the Orleans and have a great time.
Then of course there is the Gold Strike in Tunica Mississippi. Some never heard of Tunica, myself included till about 15 years ago. It is a small town 30 miles or so south of Memphis Tennessee. Most of the really good management at the Horseshoe has quit and went to the Gold Strike. To this day it is for my money the best place to play poker in the states. People at the Gold Strike are nice, they comp most your meals, and the poker rate for a room is very inexpensive. Its a great place to stay and you can always drive to Memphis and hit Beale Street for some good food and great music.
LINKS:
OH and links... some really good places to find things about poker:
First off is PokerSchoolOnline. This is where I work on my game and different strategies. You can also earn points that can lead to buy ins for different tournaments around the world. Click on the banner below to check them out. OOPS they went out of business... oh well. See you on Pokerstars or Full Tilt!
Tim Lavalli a friend of mine has now moved to Las Vegas and reports on all things poker. He is insightful and doesn't hide behind his words. He will tell ya how it really is. Here is a link to his blog.
Amy Calistri is a friend and a great writer about all things poker. Visit her blog here
Chuck Weinstock owns a website that sells books, tapes, etc and has been my main place for buying things poker related. I have known Chuck for several years after first meeting him in the old RGP newsgroups. He always has the latest books etc. Anything relating to poker he can get ya. Check him out at CONJELCO his company.
This was taken in Tunica where I won the Tournament of Winners. Nice payday.
This is at the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica in June of 2006
Photo taken by: Imagemasters
2007
Well 2007 starts off well for me. I went to Tunica Mississippi for the World Poker Open at the Gold Strike Casino and did quite well. No I didn't win the big one but did make 3 final tables and won my $10,000 seat in the main event. I went out the second day when my pocket pair of Q's ran into a pocket pair of K's. My first day table had David Devilfish and a few other names at it. My second day table was the table from hell. Lets see... Eskimo Clarke with a big stack was there, Greg Cash, Barry Johnston, Nenad Medic and finally Bob Stupak! What a table... sheesh... Nenad by the way was on my right and had the KK that took me out.
Here is a link to some of the results.
2007 WSOP
Well I was there but that was about it. I went knowing my bankroll was short but decided to go anyway. I played some small tournaments and a few cash games to build my bankroll but kept bubbling out of the money. So.. I didn't play any events. I was there though but just handicapped. lol. So no bracelet this year.
2009 ...
Well I just got layed off from my job and am looking around some. Thinking seriously about playing full time. I am going to try it for a few weeks and see how it goes. I will be primarily playing at the Beau Rivage but who knows where I might end up. Stay tuned.