You're still wrong. Did I mention anything about the big mix game? No, I'm specifically referring to the nl game that Bobby Baldwin and the casino execs play in the ivey room. That is a private game, contrary to your assertions that private games can't exist.

So now you're talking about 1 specific game that runs every once in awhile? Fine, the fact of the matter is if its on the casino floor then its not a private closed game. If someone walks in to the Ivey room with enough of a buy in and there is a seat open they can not tell the person "sorry this is a private game, you can't sit". They can sit out, all go for dinner, **** hookers behind the fake wall if they want to but they can not bar someone from joining the game. If someone tells them its a private game and they are not welcome to join then one call to the NV gaming commission will clear that right up. Its pretty plain and simple, I dont know why you're arguing when you're wrong Mikech.

But they can tell him "this game is 5/6/7/8/9 handed".

I don't see where this discussion should lead to. I mean we all know private games in casino poker rooms are not allowed, but there are some games anyway and nobody can/will do something about it. Why would you try to get into a game that is private? You won't make it anyway and if you act like a jerk, you certainly won't be welcome to play in one in the future.

this. I remember a few years back when they were filming The Hangover, there was a private game with Todd Phillips (director) and a bunch of other hollywood guys at Caesar's (25/50 nlhe iirc) in the poker room. They were playing 4-handed, someone tried to sit in the game, they said no, and said person threatened to call gaming commission. They broke the game rather than let the guy play.

The argument about whether private games are technically legal is unimportant. They do spring up and while not technically private, they usually manage to keep it so. 9 out of 10 players accept "please go away"--how many people really want to force themselves into a game they are clearly not welcome in? I think most of the rest will accept "then we will break the game rather than let you play" if someone tries to be an ahole.

I see nothing technically wrong with the casino opening a 4-handed (or whatever) cash game. But I could see that might create some trouble for them if someone complained to the regulators. And for sure if they turn away one player claiming it's 4-handed, but then 10 minutes later let a 5th sit, that could be bad.

When a big game was going last WSOP at Mirage they simply asked people not to sit with 'em, and it worked. (n.b. They should learn to ask more politely--telling someone very impolitely to GTFO is the sorta thing that could goad a person into being the ahole who insists on taking an open seat.)

Isn't this entire thread about 1 specific game that runs about once or twice a year at the Flamingo?

Some people said that these people couldn't run this private game at the Flamingo because private games are never allowed. Mikech pointed out an example of a game that is private and is allowed. I can confirm that Mikech is correct about this game he is speaking of.


First they tell the guy "this game is private". 99.99% of people would just walk away and not make a big deal out of it. Apparently some guys like you, however, would threaten to call the gaming commission. In that case, then yes they would have to say "fine, you're allowed, but we are all sitting out now."

Which proves that, by law, it's not a private game, which was his point. They obviously make it private through social "law", but can't in any real legal sense.

Haha, you know that game is in no way trying to be private, right?

imo this...i think this is what everything being discussed boils down to...and it also serves the purpose of having all sides be somewhat correct! nice way to describe it lattimer

I witnessed this game taking place last year at Flamingo. Last year I saw Kido playing in the same game at the Flamingo. He was the only person I recognized.

Bellagio arrogance in this thread.

I have not played in that PR in 5 years and doubt I ever will again. I really can't stand that room.

I am guessing you fit right in.

See below. FYI, they say the game is X handed, the only actual rule of that game for anyone to play is that you can't make a living playing poker. JRB, Viff, etc are not grinders they are action players and socially good for the game, so they can sit, sometimes. Also, really, who is going to tell Bobby Baldwin what he can and can't do? If he says you can't sit in the game and you make a stink about it, I'm sure he could have someone 86'd from the property.

This....

I read this and it immediately thought of matt moore's post about the guys practically coming to blows to get in the game with that asian high roller. There's a high % of a-hole grinders in the poker world who will do very unseemly things to sit in games where they think they have a huge edge.

I assume that's why these games go at off strip casinos where most everyday grinder types wouldn't look for them.

I'll just add that I saw a thread last Thursday that mentioned this game. I checked Bravo and it wasn't listed, but called the room and confirmed with the floor. Makes sense now why it wasn't listed...

The Nevada Gaming Control Board.