TRIP REPORT
Like thousands of other Texans have regrettably been forced to do in order to play casino poker, I made the ~2hr often cop infested trek to lake chuck to check out the new nugget card room.

It was a holiday week and newly opened so i suspect above average crowd for a Monday and all 6 tables were going by 2pm. Seemed like mostly 2-5 tables and you can buy in from the podium. Was also able to call in to the list as I crossed the la/tx border to minimize wait time but it proved unnecessary as they were just opening the last available table when I arrived.

Bought in for $500 at one of the 2-5s. Others bought in for both more and less but thankfully few were nit min buyins. I'm sure my 150 minute 5 buyin win massive heater (transparent brag) session likely influences my views but I generally liked the room.

The chairs were very comfy and despite a 10 handed game of mostly middle aged to later well fed patrons, we weren't crowded by the other tables. Player quality reflected the newish facility and holiday week which meant plenty of calling stations that frequently paid off fat value bets.

Most patrons were reasonably chatty and friendly and newness of facility meant none of the usual sometimes worrisome reg interactions with other players and staff. Dealers were quite competent with no misdeal or chip/pot errors noticed.

Beverages were free but my hit rate on delivery of orders placed was only 50% and I didn't seem an outlier. Waitress was not exclusive to poker area so I suspect walking the slots area too distracted her.

Restroom is very convenient to poker section and garage parking not too far either. If desired you can walk over to lauberge easily. Poker room is not a room but a sectioned off area so unfortunately the cacophony of slots and pollution of chain smoking degens definitely makes it less than peaceful or odor free but then again cashing out a 5 buyin winner made those shortcomings seem more tolerable!

I went by there for a night last week. They had a monitor showing the bad beat jackpot prize but not what games were running or waitlist. I checked in at the desk and got on the list for 2/5. They asked for my cell and told me they would text me. There was no mention of calling my name or staying in the area and since there was only one table running and I was 5th on the list I roamed around the casino for a bit. After no texts for 45 minutes I went back by to check to see what number I was on the list and noticed my name was gone. They said they texted me but I hadn't received any text. They put me back on the bottom of the list and I showed them my phone hadn't gotten a text and they said they would try to get me a seat soon. There was an open 1/3 seat so I told them I would play that while I waited and I let him know what table I was at for when the 2/5 seat opened. While playing I noticed a 2/5 seat open several times and would go check with the floor to see if I was next but they said there were still people in front of me. I mentioned that I noticed my phone only getting one bar intermittently while playing and he said yeah you are about the 100th person this has happened to. That was a bit concerning that I wasn't a fluke and they know it happens all the time and still make no mention of it when you sign up. They should at least let you know that maybe you should stay within earshot because reception can be a problem or cut you some slack getting back on the list when they know you were on it and it was their screw up. Anyway it was a couple more hours before I got a 2/5 seat and the text did go through this time even though I told them what table I was at and to just call my name.

The game was pretty good but not great. A few dealer errors so if you are one of those people who gets worked up over that sort of thing you may want to steer clear. With only 1 2/5, scarce cocktail waitresses(make sure you order multiple when she comes by), casino noise, and being not very well run I don't foresee myself going back.

Disagree with this assessment of the L'Auberge floor. He does a good of job as any I've seen.

I guess we have a difference of opinion then because I disagree. I play all over the country in casinos and they are the worst (in particular the floor I mentioned). I play in a lot of "underground rooms" in Houston as well and most of the players I know echo that sentiment too. Maybe their attitudes will change now that they aren't the "go to" place but I doubt it.

Played here for the first time yesterday(Sunday). Disappointed there was no 2/5. Had a list of a couple call ins, me and one other and the game never got off. There was 1 1/3 and a limit game going and that was it with a list 7 deep. After an hour they texted me that a seat was open and arrived to find they were opening a 2nd 1/3. $300 max buy in and they said when stacks get deeper you can buy up anytime to 1/2 of the big stack. (On 2/5 they said you can match the big stack anytime).

Play was pretty bad. Primarily limpers to see a flop with any 2 cards. Saw hands as strong as QQ and AK limped several times and if anyone raised I gave them credit for a big hand as it happened so infrequently. I stacked a guy who had AA with 54 when I hit top 2 and he overplayed his hand big time. A couple limpers and he raised to $10.Was pertty sure he had a big pair. Flop was 543 and he bet $100. I put him all in for $75 more and he snap called. Board ran out clean. Easy game.

Had reservations at Grotto for dinner so only played for an hour and a half but won just over 2x's my buy in so was happy.

Only other issue with the room is they aren't on bravo so doesn't make it easy to check games and compare to what's going on at the 2 other local casinos. Stayed at LauBerge as room was comped and went back there after dinner to see all 7 tables were full with lists so it appears after the initial foray of a lot of the players to check out the GN many have moved back over to LauBerge.

Playing at the Nugget because all games are full at L'Auberge. They got 4 1/3s, a 2/5, and a 5/10. The 5/10 has Action Jackson in the game. I can confirm that play is considerably worse here than next door. For example: Guy raises in late position to $15, the cutoff with a stack of $95 three bets to $50 an gets called by 3 players.

Still way too loud. Still 10 handed. The staff is very courteous.

what is the comp rate at GN? $.75/hour? Also, how many hours do you have to put in to get a poker rate on a room during the week? what about the weekend?

Played in the 1-3 game this past weekend and it was about as expected. Play was pretty bad with lots of fishies. Pretty deep looking 2-5 game was running as well. Floor and staff was courteous even though they dont have the wait lists displayed electronically yet. More 1-3 tables than l'auberge so I will most likely frequent this poker room. Any details on future upcoming tournaments here within the next year?

Long time lurker, first time poster, start off with a trip report.

Came for a Sunday night session.

Two 1/3 games running. A very short 2/5 game wrapped up right as I walked in.

List maintenance flat out sucks. Just a guy and his clipboard. Only notification of a new table opening up was the text I received. VZW Cell service sucks, so I'm not sure what the latency was. ATT service seemed to be better by the gent who was watching streaming video at the table.

Floor opened the 3rd game short (6 ppl), raked it at $2 (rake) + $2 (jp) but it quickly filled (10-max). For well-fed southerners, it was a little tight, but not unbearable.

Rake was standard $5+2.
5 nits, typically older people - mostly bought in for $100-150
2 gambool-y
2 people who seemed like they had a clue.
And me.

A lot of middle-to-upper-class folks who are playing with scared money. Way too many pots that got raised in early-mid position, caught 3-5 calls and all folded to a $30 flop bet.

As a nice touch, I got lectured on my lack of value for money and threatened with an ass-kicking when I drew out to a flush over his set.

No horrendous dealer errors.
Drink service was terrible. One round every 20-30 minutes. They have a bucket of water bottles they keep on-hand so poker players can just get a drink without waiting for bev service. I didn't test the alcohol, but the OJ was serviceable.

$1/hr comps - only 20 hours of play to get a decent meal
Didn't ask about poker room rate.

The Poker Room manager has recently resigned and a new Manager will be appointed within the next two weeks. Hopefully bigger and better things are in for the GN poker room soon!

Who? Nick?

I'm thinking of going there for the next couple days. Do they ever run Omaha? It said so on their website but it seems like every casino I've gone to claims such but never runs it. Would love to play Omaha instead of Donkem, but either will give me my fix.

I've been there probably 8 times and never seen it. Last few times has all been 1-3 nlhe. No 2-5 or limit games. Most of the 2-5 games are at L'Auberge.

Plenty of plo at labeurge down the road

No "limit" at GN? Wow. I didn't see PLO at L'Auberge when I was there 2 summers ago. If they have it what limit it is and how much roll should I bring to play in it? I'm guessing it's really swingy. I've only ever played SSPLO online.

Oh u were looking for o8? Pm me if so

Rumor that GN gaming area is going to expand. Has anyone heard if that includes poker room. Would be nice to have a large enough area to host tournaments.

That would be good news if true. Where did you hear this?

Rumor going around Poker room there. Nothing confirmed and have heard nothing about poker room being expanded. Hopefully, it will be.

Every table was full this weekend with good action. Played until 4 am Friday and Saturday. Tables had lots of action. Only reason to go to Lauberge anymore is if list is too long and you want a quick seat. Took about 45 minutes both days to get a seat but they text you so you don't have to wait in the poker room. Action was very good with lots of big pots.

Or if you might want to play anything other than 1-3NL. GN has at least been spreading some 2-5. But if you want to play bigger or PLO LB is a better bet. Also anywhere else runs their list better. GN if you happen to show up when a seat opens you are likely to get it; screw the list. Though I will admit the games are softer at GN albeit with more variability.

Any current info on poker room rates at GN?

Sitting in NAF Base in Port Harcourt, Nigeria waiting to catch flight to Lagos.

Depart Lagos Tue to Texas and will be at GN weekend and thru 4th of July.

Only get home a couple times per year and Ms. gamboogal and i are looking to gambool it up and have fun....might even win a hand or two......after all the book says any 2 will do.....

1st pic for trip....
On the road to Airport (NAF) Base in Port Harcourt - just outside the compound. This happened a couple days ago.
Incredibly the guy got out as he saw the Conex leaning bad...
This is a common occurrence - Roads are goat trails and loads are not secured....

LOL. GL at the gambools

I was there Friday from 9 pm to 5 am and Saturday 8 pm to 4 am, playing 1/3. I made about $900 altogether. I was down $400 Saturday until I changed tables and seen an aggro fish with a 2k+ stack. I ended up cashing out $1200 that night (half was mine though)

@gamboolman, were you around either of those times, if so what were you playing?

ps that's a crazy pic