Monday, January 5, 2009
Texas Hold 'Em, Hawaiian Style
I’ve played a few games along the Kona coast and in Kohala on the Big Island. If you’re ever lucky enough to find yourself in paradise, poker games are not hard to find:
Big Island Poker
Scott Keen not only runs a good game, but he builds and sells quality tables.
Hungry players, be aware that, unlike the mainland, the only place available for late night dining is Denny’s. However, you can order from Doorstep Dining and get meals delivered from just about every restaurant in Kailua Kona between 930 am and 930 pm, 7 days/ wk. The bonus is that Scott Krueger has the scoops on every game in town worth a visit. Tip him right and he’s likely to reciprocate.
There are regular nightly games in and around “town” that you would easily be welcomed to. However, like some of the renown surf spots, the Hawaiian Homes and Kamuela games may be more difficult to penetrate without someone to vouch for you. Also, as you may already know, there is a shitload of money on the island, and not a whole lot to do; High Stakes home games exist, but that’s a whole different league, entirely. But for the Average Joe, you will find a good range, from $1/2 to $5/10, always No Limit, even on games like Omaha H/L. And da kine like play cahds.
It’s not confirmed but I expect to be back on the island for a week or two later this month. Rather than go off of memory, I’ll give you the low-down on a couple of the Kona games in real time.
Big Island Poker
Scott Keen not only runs a good game, but he builds and sells quality tables.
Hungry players, be aware that, unlike the mainland, the only place available for late night dining is Denny’s. However, you can order from Doorstep Dining and get meals delivered from just about every restaurant in Kailua Kona between 930 am and 930 pm, 7 days/ wk. The bonus is that Scott Krueger has the scoops on every game in town worth a visit. Tip him right and he’s likely to reciprocate.
There are regular nightly games in and around “town” that you would easily be welcomed to. However, like some of the renown surf spots, the Hawaiian Homes and Kamuela games may be more difficult to penetrate without someone to vouch for you. Also, as you may already know, there is a shitload of money on the island, and not a whole lot to do; High Stakes home games exist, but that’s a whole different league, entirely. But for the Average Joe, you will find a good range, from $1/2 to $5/10, always No Limit, even on games like Omaha H/L. And da kine like play cahds.
It’s not confirmed but I expect to be back on the island for a week or two later this month. Rather than go off of memory, I’ll give you the low-down on a couple of the Kona games in real time.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Saturday Shoreline No Limit
A simple Google search will reveal that Seattle's Shoreline has plenty of poker action all along Aurora:
Shown above include the following casinos that boast different kinds of poker games and feature tournaments on various days of the week:
Club Hollywood at The Drift On Inn
Hideaway
Golden Nugget
Goldie's
Parkers
I advise you to call first, however, as some of the content on their websites is outdated.
But if what you're looking for is a "home" poker game in that area, you ought to check out this one on Saturday afternoons:
With brick and mortar quality at home game prices, this cardroom cannot be beat. The Godfather, let's call him, though he's more akin to Steven Colbert, can comfortably host up to 30 players at 3 casino quality tables, each with its own dealer.
You will be playing in a smoke-, alcohol-, and substance-free, climate controlled environment. No food or drinks provided but you're right off Aurora.
".25/.50 Cash-Game No-limit Hold'em. The buy-in is whatever you so choose between $20-50." The game play is steady and rarely, if ever, does anyone need to be called back to attention, despite "distractions." In this case, it was the San Diego Chargers' victory over the Indianapolis Colts, televised, but muted.
I digress. Alas, I am a Chargers fan.
Card room comfort: Ideal
Average skill level: Not a donk in sight
Buy in: $20-50 (no limit)
Gaming supplies: Casino quality
RECOMMENDED!
Shown above include the following casinos that boast different kinds of poker games and feature tournaments on various days of the week:
Club Hollywood at The Drift On Inn
Hideaway
Golden Nugget
Goldie's
Parkers
I advise you to call first, however, as some of the content on their websites is outdated.
But if what you're looking for is a "home" poker game in that area, you ought to check out this one on Saturday afternoons:
With brick and mortar quality at home game prices, this cardroom cannot be beat. The Godfather, let's call him, though he's more akin to Steven Colbert, can comfortably host up to 30 players at 3 casino quality tables, each with its own dealer.
You will be playing in a smoke-, alcohol-, and substance-free, climate controlled environment. No food or drinks provided but you're right off Aurora.
".25/.50 Cash-Game No-limit Hold'em. The buy-in is whatever you so choose between $20-50." The game play is steady and rarely, if ever, does anyone need to be called back to attention, despite "distractions." In this case, it was the San Diego Chargers' victory over the Indianapolis Colts, televised, but muted.
I digress. Alas, I am a Chargers fan.
Card room comfort: Ideal
Average skill level: Not a donk in sight
Buy in: $20-50 (no limit)
Gaming supplies: Casino quality
RECOMMENDED!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Garasino
New to the area, the phone book, Google, and Craigslist have been my local poker source. I'd answered an ad in the latter about this U District home game. Turned out it wasn't the poster's game, nor would he attend until after New Year's, but he passed my contact information along to the email-happy, telephone-shy, obvious Alpha, proud Replublican host, "The Colonel," for whom I have this:
From the Colonel:
Hey all ~ 66 great games so far - lets go again! RSVP now, don't be left out!Game Details for TUESDAY 12/30:
Our classic tourney: Two tables, 20 min. blinds, $30 buy-in/re-buy & $10-20 add-on. Deal at 7:40pm. On time bonus: 1000 free chips if you show up by 7:30pm. >>> RSVP with seat requests for this weeks game.
Yes I know I was freaking out because of the snow but the Garasino has survived thus far. Assuming there is no crazy down pour the Garasino will be able to host a game this week. Let me know if you want in.
The Colonel
...
I imagined Garasino = garage + casino, but, otherwise, had no expectations.
The Garasino is a small garage with an attached "lounge" fashioned from a fold-out shade canopy, walls made from weather resistant tarps. The Colonel reiterated throughout the night his intentions to improve the lounge where, currently, smokers and knocked-out players can pick from the pile of chairs if they want to have a seat in the cold.
I arrived early to receive a 1000 chip bonus and was met by a friendly group of mostly men in their early 20s - mid 30s. Smokers, smokers, and drinkers are obviously welcome. Apparently, so are Fantasy Football enthusiasts. I was there to play poker.
If you're lucky you'll get a red, padded chair; if not, it's folding metal for your ass. Two makeshift tables ("No elbows on the table! Ever!") took up most of the room which is heated by a propane space heater, so be sure to dress warm and, "Shut the fucking door!"
After some Fantasy Football confusion, twelve players sat down to a tournament. No poker confusion, as everything one would need to know (chip denominations, blind structure, etc.) is visibly posted on the wall. I don't understand the re-buy structure, but I'm sure I eventually would, though it wasn't apparent how the number of each player's re-buys are tracked. The prize structure was posted when re-buys were closed.
The 20 min blind levels would have been sufficient had the emphasis of the evening been on poker and not conversation and/ or the two football games televised in the room. Play was slowed to a hault several times due to noise or simply gross negligence. Naturally, the repeat offenders were the biggest complainers.
There were quite a few skilled players, and, of course, token luckboxes. There is no rake, nor are there refreshments.
Card room comfort: Not very
Average skill level: No serious threats
Buy in: Bring $80-100
Gaming supplies: Kem cards, really nice chips, the tables were sufficient but could use a couple of screws.
Play Online Poker
From the Colonel:
Hey all ~ 66 great games so far - lets go again! RSVP now, don't be left out!Game Details for TUESDAY 12/30:
Our classic tourney: Two tables, 20 min. blinds, $30 buy-in/re-buy & $10-20 add-on. Deal at 7:40pm. On time bonus: 1000 free chips if you show up by 7:30pm. >>> RSVP with seat requests for this weeks game.
Yes I know I was freaking out because of the snow but the Garasino has survived thus far. Assuming there is no crazy down pour the Garasino will be able to host a game this week. Let me know if you want in.
The Colonel
...
I imagined Garasino = garage + casino, but, otherwise, had no expectations.
The Garasino is a small garage with an attached "lounge" fashioned from a fold-out shade canopy, walls made from weather resistant tarps. The Colonel reiterated throughout the night his intentions to improve the lounge where, currently, smokers and knocked-out players can pick from the pile of chairs if they want to have a seat in the cold.
I arrived early to receive a 1000 chip bonus and was met by a friendly group of mostly men in their early 20s - mid 30s. Smokers, smokers, and drinkers are obviously welcome. Apparently, so are Fantasy Football enthusiasts. I was there to play poker.
If you're lucky you'll get a red, padded chair; if not, it's folding metal for your ass. Two makeshift tables ("No elbows on the table! Ever!") took up most of the room which is heated by a propane space heater, so be sure to dress warm and, "Shut the fucking door!"
After some Fantasy Football confusion, twelve players sat down to a tournament. No poker confusion, as everything one would need to know (chip denominations, blind structure, etc.) is visibly posted on the wall. I don't understand the re-buy structure, but I'm sure I eventually would, though it wasn't apparent how the number of each player's re-buys are tracked. The prize structure was posted when re-buys were closed.
The 20 min blind levels would have been sufficient had the emphasis of the evening been on poker and not conversation and/ or the two football games televised in the room. Play was slowed to a hault several times due to noise or simply gross negligence. Naturally, the repeat offenders were the biggest complainers.
There were quite a few skilled players, and, of course, token luckboxes. There is no rake, nor are there refreshments.
Card room comfort: Not very
Average skill level: No serious threats
Buy in: Bring $80-100
Gaming supplies: Kem cards, really nice chips, the tables were sufficient but could use a couple of screws.
Play Online Poker
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