I just called over to the room and they have five on the list. I think we're safe in saying the game will run.

Saturday, Feb 5

I will be there around noon for the 4/8 O8 game. See you at the tables!

A nice mixed game tonight which started as a five game and ended up adding two more games, playing as a seven game by the time it broke around midnight. We played 5/10 limit rounds with 1/2 PLO, 1/2 NL mixed in with Omaha 08, stud 8, Badugi, 2-7 TD and Razz. I really enjoyed the company of the players with three "class guys" including Ari from Parx coming down to play. Two other of his managers, both great guys also played with us, but of course I can't mention their names because of two plus two rules about that sort of thing. It's no wonder Parx is as successful as it is with managers that commited to the players and pro active in their attempts to make poker a better experience. I lost, but had a great time.

A couple of pieces of information. The cash/tournament rooms will flip by march 1 and possibly before that. It sounds like it could be any time, but is held up a little by surveillance and other electronic issues. I think this is going to be a great move.

Great news on room rates for the upcoming Delaware Classic April 1 to 17th. They've already secured rooms for the tournament @ 49.00 per night at the Red Roof, which is close to DP. I understand they're looking into another hotel as well. Reservations can be made up to April 3rd using code # DELPARK with ID #CP609012 or calling the hotel at 302-292-2870.

Also, tournament players need to block out March 16th for a really......really cool bracket tournament. I'm trying to recall all the details and will try to get them straight by tomorrow afternoon. Essentially, it is a 150.00 buy in. It's a little complicated, but is one of the coolest tournaments that I've ever seen. This will also be a celebrity deal with knockouts for those guys. I'll get all the details tomorrow hopefully, but I know this isn't one tournament that this player is going to miss. And when you guys see what can be won, I think you'll feel the same way. This thing will pay 10K to the winner. And also there will be a Vegas WSOP seat awarded.

Lots of cool stuff going on at DP now.

I've been thinking more about the mixed game. Yesterday, we could only get five on the list, but we called the game anyway.... begged for half rake, which we got for five handed......we then decided on limit levels, which we settled on as 4/8..... we went though the games and came up with six. 1/2 PLO, Badugi, 2-7 TD, Omaha 08, Stud 8, Razz and we started the game. We just played and had fun. Shortly after, we got another player from the room. The game went on the board, which moved a couple of guys watching the "live report" to get into their cars and come over. We got a guy waiting on a 4/8 limit game to play while waiting and got up to seven handed. A few others players showed up and we agreed to add 4/8 limit hold em and then we were playing "seven game". Eventually, the game was full.

I believe this game will run without coordination once it starts, but five players need to take a chance and open. Since we were playing short, we went with the 4/8 format, hoping to entice some of the lower level limit players on the waiting list into the game. Obviously, there's not much difference between 4/8 and 5/10, but there is some psychological issues when you crack to 4/8 level. Later in the evening, the players moved the game to 5/10 in limit rounds and changed the rotation. Some guys like Badugi and TD (such as me) and others think those games are way too slow. I know the dealers have been great, but let's face it, they're not making much money dealing draw games, as they play half as fast as non draw games. The guys who start the game have the power of what the game is going to be that night. I only suggest that if you're short, make it as easy for the room players to "want to play" as you can. 4/8 seems to be easier than 5/10 when recruiting.

I hope the game plays next weekend February 11 and 12. I'm going to coordinate players for "President Weekend" and try to get guys up for a three day play. Friday night, Saturday and even Sunday since it's a federal/state holiday. But, I know there's been a list each weekend night for a while since early January. Do a role call if the list gets to five and start the game. Beg on the rake issue if you're short (TD and Badugi are so slow that DP will lose money on a reduced rake), but this room is accommodating. They want the game to play. The worst that happens is you get looked at funny, they shake their head and say "no". We don't work there, so "who cares". Don't get me wrong, I have the highest level of respect for the managers, floors and dealers at DP, but I still don't work there and short of being "deep sixed", I don't have anyone to please but the players, some of whom I consider casual friends and myself....oh yea, and my wife. My personal philosophy is ask, ask, ask. Once it starts to play, it runs outside of "two plus two" with room players. We get some guys who are playing other games and just want to watch Badugi and TD, because they've never played it, but have heard about it. Also, 4/8 Omaha 08, PLO and LHE players on a waiting list will sit for a time......That can't be bad. Sometimes the PLO plays big, and I'm still not sure it's a game with appeal to limit players, but it surely gets some PLO players in the limit mix. And if you don't want a mix with NL and PLO games, start a list for HORSE or HOSE. It seems like NL hold em plays nitty in the mixed game and if you blink, the eight games are over, which is why we didn't include it last night. But, like I said, those who seat at the start have all the control.

One thing. I am almost sure that this game is not BBJ eligible when playing nl or limit holdem. I did not see this personally, but was told that some dealers dropped BB dollars during those rounds. Don't let that happen, because if the jackpot hit at another table or the mixed game table while playing holdem, I'm almost sure, we're not getting paid a share.

Shoot me now. I'm at sephora's at the mall. I should have just dropped her and gone to play for an hour. How do women think this is a good time?

In my typical fashion, I'm posting something I'm not sure is exactly right. The tournament that DP is planning on March 16 is called a "Bracket Tournament" or something like that. I just happened to be close enough to suits discussing it and I think I've got it close to right. I'm sure I'm jumping the gun here, but I've already put it in my calendar assuming that what I think is right, is in fact....... right.

This is the way I overheard the preliminary structure for a "March 16, 2011 Bracket Tournament". I may not be supposed to post, but my Alzheimer's is a terrible thing. If I don't have it now, I'm sure to have it if anyone gets a little mad at me about this post. The problem with the management knowing my two plus two identity is they know my identity.

$150 Entry Fee

You are going to want to read this twice. It's not very hard to understand, but more complicated to write. For me, it's a "MUST PLAY"

It will be a bracket style tournament similar to the NCAA Final Four Tournament. There will be celebrities scattered throughout the tournament each with a $100 Bounty on their heads..... get those guys.

Round One Bracket- Ten handed - Thirty two tables (capped at 320 Players). Their will be 2 time starts for round 1, 5PM and 7PM - 16 tables each.

Each table will play down to two players who move onto the next round.

Round Two Bracket – 6 handed – 16 Tables. The winners from round 1 will account for 4 of the 6 players for round 2. Each table will play down to two players who move onto the next round.

Wild Card Entries – Just because you were eliminated in round one doesn't mean you are out of the tournament. The names of all eliminated players will be placed in a raffle drum. Two names will be selected to join each of the 16 tables in round 2 (32 total wild cards).

Round Three Bracket

6 handed – 8 Tables. The winners from round 2 will account for 4 of the 6 players for round 3. Again there will be 2 wild cards drawn per table. (Eliminations from round 2 will be added to the raffle drum) Each table will play down to two players who move onto the next round.

Round Four Bracket

6 handed – 4 Tables. The winners from round 3 will account for 4 of the 6 players for round 4. Again there will be 2 wild cards drawn per table. (Eliminations from round 3 will be added to the raffle drum) Each table will play down to THREE players who move onto the next round.


Round Five Bracket (Money Round) (No Wild Cards)

6 handed – 4 Tables. The winners from round 3 will account all 6 players for round 5. Payout's begin with eliminations. Each table will play down to THREE players who move onto the Final Table.



First prize is guaranteed to be $10,000 + a seat in the Delaware Park Poker Classic ($1,070)

Its Not Over Yet!!

At the completion of the final table, all players who participated in the event will have their names placed in the raffle drum. Six names will be chosen. Those six will play in a single table tournament, with the winner receiving a seat in the 2011 Main Event at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Theoretically, a player can win $11,070 from the main tournament, then an additional $10,000 seat in the WSOP. That’s 21,070 for a $150 Buy-In


It's not nearly as complicated as I've written it (i'm not that bright), but I've never seen anything like this before. It's way too cool and gives players a chance at cashing for really good money and a chance to win a trip to the World Series...... all for 150 bucks.


Count me in!

Thanks for this update (and for all your updates from DP), this is really good stuff. How certain are you it's going to be Wed. Mar. 16?

I'm certain that I have the date right at least. I was able to look at a paper those guys were discussing with the structures on it and the date.... well, i know I got the date right. The rest of it or if it's a "done deal"........ well, that's the problem with my information........ It's all unofficial. I'm often close to right, but just a little off. Stagered starts at 5 and 7 PM...... this thing may go late. I think the last clelebrity tournament they had was also a weekday.

I'm still anxiously waiting for the "coverall board" which is on hold until the cash/tournament room flip I've been told.

That's what I was thinking -- probably will go way into the wee hours of Thurs. Therefore I'm going to have to figure out how I want to do this in terms of scheduling it. I agree it's definitely something worth playing, sounds like a terrific idea for a fun tourny. Thanks again for all your updates, there really are a credit to 2+2.

25K freeroll today at 3 PM. Be there by noon. should be a nice day.

Let's hope so. Good luck to you.

I'll accept a chop right now.

I've been trying to keep track of when the O8 game has been going. It seems that most Fridays its gotten going. Any other times it usually gets off the ground?

I played in a 4-6 handed O8 game on Sunday. It usually goes Friday and Saturdays with a kill.

Hardly ever goes during the weekdays that I've noticed.

maybe i am being naive but i don't see how that tournament is over in one day.

Yea, no way it's done in one day if it starts @ 5PM and 7PM. If every round after Round1 was on another day, I see how that could work. Regardless, I will be playing that tourney and am really excited about the series in April.

I'm a fairly new poker player and live fairly close to Delaware Park. I have gambled there before but only slots and blackjack at the live tables. What would be a good game to start out with at Delaware Park and is there any particular time of the day, evening, or weekend that would be best for a new player. Also what is a good amount of money to start off with if you are looking to play for let's say 2 to 3 hours and be able to enjoy playing the game without expecting to either loose or win anything substantial. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

It depends on how you define substantial. If you decide to play 1/2 NL, I would bring ~$600 and buy in for $200 (2 extra buy-ins in case you bust). If you decide to play limit holdem, for 2/4 I would bring $300-400 and for 4/8 I would bring $400-500. Finally, if you decide to venture to the 2/5 NL tables, $2-3k should be sufficient.

Those are the games you'd typically see on the weekends. I would say the best time to go is Saturday or Sunday afternoons around 1 or 2. Then the waitlists aren't as long and you can usually get seated immediately.

Played Saturday at Del Park for about 18 hours. Played from 10-11 at a new table that may have been the softest I've ever played, alas I had registered for the 11 am tourney and went and sat a few minutes late. Nothing of any interest happened, squeezed over a button limp in the SB and got flatted by the bb for >50 percent of his stack and the button came along: I whiffed and C-bet then shut down. Left with about 11 bbs I shoved over an utg flat from a big stack and got called by 10-7o.


Went back and played cash. Lost a big pot when I mississippi straddled the btn (game was tight) and picked up AJ. Limped 3 ways to me and I made it 25. 3 way Flop kq4 and we checked turn a jack and I called a small bet (35 I believe) with the intention of making a raise on the river. He checked a blank and I bet 60 he had ako. Later lost a biggish pot on a 2 3 4 5 5 board where I check raised a turn and led out big on the river with air and he had A10. I then decided to tighten up. Limped in with ducks and a late position made it 12 over 4 limpers, I called obviously and the flop came A 2 3. We took the flop 3 ways (a newish player (400ish) and one who hadn't missed all day and had a big stack - 900 ish). I have about 280 ish behind. I check to the preflop raiser who makes it 45, big stack flats and I make it 125. I get a call and then a speech and a fold. Turn is a 10 completing the rainbow board and I shove the turn. He calls and has AK and he is drawing --- well, not so well, shall we say. After that hand I end up taking the rest from him on a KQJ board when I have KQ and he has AK again. He is lamenting his luck and still discussing the ak vs 22 hand. He keeps repeating to the table "he either had a set, the straight, or AK. I called hoping for a chop." LOL live players, I guess! I give some back and rack up 750 (was in for 480ish) and go to the 11pm bounty.


- Get it in vs a shorty with k9dd on a j53 - 2 diamond flop and he has a5dd. Whoops. Get my last 3k in at 50/100 when I check shove a q86 board. He has 69o and turn is an 8 river 6. Oh well back to cash. Play the mixed game for a while and donate 100 and realize I'm terrible in split-pot games. Leave and go back to a 1/2 game.


Played a few interesting hands and am up a bit when this hand comes about: There is a straddle and I have AKo - 2 limpers and I make it 21. 3 ways (1 tight aggressive (with about 140 behind) - ABC and a maniac(100ish behind) --- pretty sure he is new to poker as he got 225 dollars in by the flop on a 882 - 2 diamond board with aq against 2 other players). Flop comes down k62 and maniac leads 20 I make it 60 (should've been more imo) and other guy cold calls (meh!). Turn is a queen which I think is the worst card in the deck. Maniac shoves his last 20, as he would with his whole range. I think I should raise here but decide to flat and fold if I get shoved on due to the flop strength of the TAG. He shoves and I fold. They both have kq and obviously river is an ace. Not happy with how I played the hand, 17 hours into my session I realize it's time to leave. But the maniac and his friend who I have direct position on still have money and it's essentially a feeding frenzy so I'm not leaving until they are stacked. Last major hand. It limps to the maniac's friend on the button he limps I joke I wanted to chop the hand (I'm in the small blind: i would've if it had been folded around fwiw). I have j6o and the flop is 66x. I check call the bet of 20 into 6. Turn is a queen and I check raise the bet of 40 to 100 and he calls. River I shove and he snaps with q9o. I leave about 3 hands later a small winner overall and very tired!


Cliff notes: Blanked on the 11 am and 11 pm tourney
Made a bit playing cash (1/2 i was a winner: Mixed I SUCK)
Played a hand pretty badly imo (comments welcome)
Stack a maniac to make it profitable

If you want to limit your exposure and just get some table time in, then $2/$4 limit is the best game to start with. Recognize though, that with a $4 rake + $1 BBJ drop + $1 dealer tip per pot that you will not be able to sustain winning for the long term. Delaware Park also runs a $4/$8 limit hold'em game with a very reasonable $2 rake, but the players are better at that game so your exposure would be greater overall.

If you do decide to play limit holdem, best thing to do is read Lee Jones' "Low Limit Hold'Em" and the hit the tables. It's an easy/quick read, available at most book stores (Borders/B&N). It'll give you a good sound start and best chance to hold your own at the tables. In fact, I would venture to say that reading/applying that book will instantly make you better than at least 50% of the players in that game and should also give you a by far better expectation of winning than playing blackjack or slots ever would. That book probably was worth about 50X what I paid for it easily. Start by playing pretty tight until you get comfortable, and recognize that you will get sucked out on by worse hands - it is "no fold'em hold'em". Do not get into the habit of playing too many hands like the players around you. Play only premium hands and play them aggressively.

I would think that if you play pretty tight as that book will advise you, then most likely you will end up in the range of up or down around $100 in 2-3 hours. If you run really bad, you may lose $150-$200, but that would be unusual if you play with discipline.

If you instead want to play No Limit Hold'em, then you will need a bigger bankroll and should be prepared to lose several buy-ins if you run bad. I am not a no limit player, so others can give more advice here on what the bankroll should be for that.

Also don't forget to relax and enjoy yourself. It's a great social game, and you will have a good time. Don't worry about making mistakes or anything - the players and dealers will very happily help you out.

I usually end up in Vegas 2-3 times per year, and in general, I agree with you. There are a lot of poker rooms throughout the country (I go to Tunica annually also, and the Gold Strike spreads a pretty good room with multiple games daily) then are just as good if not better than Vegas rooms.

I have never played at the Mirage, so I can't really account for their room. I wouldn't advise really playing at places like the Venetian though. A play like that, while pretty "high class" when compared to most other Vegas casinos, doesn't exactly bring out some of the better players in town. While this would appear to be beneficial for a daily player there, for a person like myself who only shows up 2-3 times a year, its not really beneficial for me to gamble with the rich people who are clueless.

I've found that the Bellagio is clearly the best place for action in Vegas, mostly due to its size and reputation for bringing in the big timers to Doyles Room. However, Aria's new Ivey room I hear has been making great strides.

Overall, I'd recommend playing at Bellagio or MGM if you want gamblers and places that spread a better variety

I enjoy playing at the Four Queens and Binion's.

I'd be interested in knowing how new you are to poker.... Have you ever played poker live in a casino? Around the kitchen table with friends? Not at all? Etc. I think that is probably the biggest factor.

I recommend playing at an off time, through the week or in the morning when it's less crowded. I don't think you need a whole lot of money, maybe $200 buy in for 1/2 NL, with another $200 in reserve if you want in case you bust. Sounds like you're not looking to make money this first session; but rather just sit in a game, pick up the flow of the game and how the "procedures" work in a live game, etc. And I am assuming you will be folding most hands preflop and being very strict with starting hand requirements, a generally tight strategy to minimize risk and stay out of trouble.

Those are my thoughts for what they're worth.... Enjoy

Omaha Hi Lo 4/8 on Saturday, Feb. 12.

If you are interested, start the list and don't wait for someone else to do it, then it might go. I will be there at noon.

Each round plays down to 2 players and not one. I assume a "sit n go" format. Therefore, two hours per round max in round one. Closer to 1 1/2 hours after that because it's playing six max after the first round and playing down to 2 players.

Round One -2 hours (but that seems long)
Round Two -1 1/2 hrs MAX since only four per table need to bust to move on
Round Three-1 1/2 hours
Round Four-1 1/2 hours
Round Five- 1 1/2 hours money round
Round Six final table -2 hours max, but they chop after one

9 or 10 hours and this is over, but I think it will happen quicker than that. I'd say it all ends at 3 AM or maybe earlier. I'm not sure when the final table for the WSOP will be awarded and played, but I assume that will draw once everyone is registered and played some other day.