Introductions and Trump riverboat questions |
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Posted Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:58 pm GMT by chicagomsv
I stumbled across this forum and was glad to see a bunch of people who live/play in and around Chicago.
I'm 25 and live in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood in Chicago. I've played cards all my life, but recently started taking hold'em more seriously. I opened up a pokerroom.com account a couple months ago and play mainly 0.25/0.50 limit real money games (13% up) and 25/50 NL play money games (850% up, but then again it's not hard to build a big roll with play money). I also play occasional NL tourneys, but they're more social than competitive.
Next Friday I'll be heading to the Trump riverboat in Gary to try out live poker for the first time. I've already read a number of threads about first-time live poker tips and the Trump riverboat, so I have a decent sense of what I'm getting myself into. But I do have a couple questions for those who visit Trump from time-to-time.
1) It's clear that the board doesn't think too highly of the 3/6 kill games at Trump. However, I'm only comfortable with losing $300 in one night and I don't think that will last terribly long playing 5/10. I play at THE LOWEST stakes real money games on pokerroom.com and have managed to keep myself in the black consistently despite some truly disturbing plays on the part of my opponents. Is there a strong correlation between low stakes online poker and low stakes live poker in regards to strategy? If so, then I feel I'm well-prepared to manage the circus clowns if I happen to get them at my table (which sounds inevitable). If not, then I think I'll sit 5/10 and hope for the best.
2) I'll be showing up at Trump around 8-9pm. When should I call to make a table reservation?
3) Is there a shuttle that runs from downtown to Trump (or nearby riverboats)? A friend of mine is driving me down this time, but if I do well, I'd like to head down there at least once a week.
4) Do you guys memorize your hole cards? I'm not in the habit of doing it since I play mainly internet poker, but I think it's a great skill to have. Since I'm probably going to be extremely nervous anyways, I'm not going to force myself to memorize my hole cards (probably just get into the habit of peeking cards at the same time every hand).
5) The friend I'm going with plans on watching me play for at least a couple hands. First I told her that it would probably be painfully boring, but I also didn't know if they allowed "spectators". Earlier Trump reports said that the tables were well-spaced, but recent reports say that they're a lot closer together now. Can she watch if she wants to?
I'll be sure to post a trip report when I get back.
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Posted Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:00 pm GMT by Dave B
I have not played the Trump, but I have played Harrahs boat in Gary (E Chicago).
1) 5/10 live-if you play tight and dont throw chips around $300 is plenty of money. I play mostly 8/16 and dont bring more than $400.
2) I might be wrong, but I doubt you can call ahead for a reservation. Every poker room I have been at is 1st come 1st to sit. I dont know if they fill for sure, but that is the busiest time where I play in MN-expect to wait for an hour or more. You can call ahead and ask what is typical waits for that hour.
3) Contact the casino. Harrahs has a shuttle that cost $11, but you get $10 in chips upon arrival. It had 3-4 stops in downtown when I did it just over a year ago. I would be shocked if Trump didnt offer something similar.
4) I try, it really isnt to hard. At the lowest limits, few players are looking for reads on whether you look at your hole cards or not. FYI-I usually make it a number (67 89), repeat it a few times, look again if I need to-no biggie.
5) Watching usually isnt a problem. I would recommend allowing yourself at least 4 hours-make sure she wants to hang out or entertain herself for at least that long. If she wants to look at your cards for every hand-then some players may take offense and ask her to leave.
Posted Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:38 am GMT by ForumJP
cool...good luck on ya trip!!!
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