It's a toss-up on dealers. HJ dealers are a little sloppier actually, they just don't make as many rookie mistakes.

Comps are the same

Harrah's has more tables, runs something besides 1-3NL, better tables/chairs, feels like an actual room and not something tacked on, has more giveaways ($ for quads/SF/RF/Aces cracked), a mini BBJ, and will have tourneys in a few weeks.

They dropped the aces cracked, quads, SF and "hand of the day" pay outs -- still have RF, small BBJ (AAAKK beat) and large BBJ (8888 beat)

Personally, I like the room -- pleasant staff -- no smoke to wade through to get to the Poker Room -- I've waited just as long for a seat at the Shoe --- I wish we could get 3/5 going earlier than it has been going --- getting onto a 2/5 table at the Shoe might take some time - but at least the game is running.

The place gets a thumbs up from me

I know they drop Aces/Quads/match hand, but didn't know about SF.

I'm in the room now and confirmed they have SF, RF, Mega, and Mini still.

Oops -- sorry, my bad -- I misunderstood - thought it was just the Royal that stayed in place -- thanks for confirming -- not like I've hit either one -- plus, when I had my AA cracked, it was before any of the jackpots were in place (Day 1)

Harrah's Report:

Played last night from Midnight to Close. 1-3 NL

Most of my live play (600+ hours over the past 5 years) has been at the Horseshoe or Majestic in Indiana or Harrahs, Venetian, and Ceasars in Vegas. Ive played in every poker room on the strip at some point.

Commute: A
25-30 minutes as opposed to 40-45 to Horseshoe. In comparing the commutes, it should be noted that the neighborhoods you drive through/ around is nicer, especially the roads!

The actual "walk" from the garage to the poker room is also shorter.

Tables: Brand new, long like stud tables. It seats 10 just fine. Overall, real nice. One thing about being 10 handed, it keeps the game full. We all know that at the Shoe, there are always 1 or 2 guys missing (walking around, eating, Washroom). Same here, only now you play 8-9 handed. Also, made it easier to consolidate tables later in the night.

Dealers: C

Yeah, they are newbies. Had to explain to one that the minimum raise is not doubling the amount....slow too, so if I was paying time, I would be annoyed for now until they pick up. They were very friendly, and being in a smaller room that is HUGE because you are going to see them several times.
The strangest thing, they kept not realizing they were being tipped...kept leaving the dollar out there and questioning what the dollar was.
I did have to explain that the minimum raise is to double the amount of "Increase" as opposed to the raise itself (e.g. From 3-12, the minimum is 21, not 24) Oh, and one player mucking face up when he was crushed, and the dealer grabbed his hand and said "you still have a chance"...I LOL'd but I did say he couldnt do that...he didn't seem to disagree.


Players: C+

Hmmmm....compared to many places, seemed quite passive and moderately tight. You can't say in one trip what the tables would typically be like, but the games were decent. Several groups of young non-online 20-somethings came in to play, and that made the games good. People were friendly and didnt seem to be as many "degenerates". Probably because this room actually closes and people have to go home and shower!

Game Selection: C

1-3 Ran all night and finished with two tables when last hand was dealt. I think the 3-5 games died around 2 or 3. This is a negative for mid-stakes guys, but 1-3 can play deeper than 1-2. No limit games were being played.

Actual Room:

Good views of TV's, comfortable chairs, nice decor. Easy to find, right next to the Bathroom! No smoking around the room is a very nice perk...to leave the Shoe guys are just chain smoking out there its ridiculous. Music was fairly loud, which is fine since IPOD's are not allowed. And don't think of using your phone or having it out.

The restaurant is well priced, you can eat at the table, but the kitchen does close at 4AM, the same time the last of alcohol is cleared off the table. For those the like to have a couple drinks, $3 miller Lites compared to $4 at Horseshoe...

Heard complaints about buy-ins at the table, but they were referring people to the cage which is right outside the room.

Although one waitress was mega-hot, more waitresses at the Horseshoe to oogle at.

Casino:

Studio 51 was hopping when I walked in (if thats the name of it) They had a live band and plenty of people....Would definitley consider going there to have a drink, see a band, then play poker. Have to see on that one though.

Overall, if I compared it to Harrahs in Vegas, I would say its just below it.....should be interesting to see if they ever offer regular tournaments, as that will attract players for sure. In Vegas, Harrahs has some good deepstack events that attract 30 players or so...in addition to the 3-4 cash games going.

For a Saturday night poker game, definitely a great place to play. Enjoyed my night, won a little bit, and will look to go there again real soon!

That why the room wasn't full. Without "degenerates", there would be no public cards rooms.

[QUOTE=mce86;26598880]Harrah's Report:

....didnt seem to be as many "degenerates"..... QUOTE]

Does the 3-5 run during the week?

[QUOTE=magoo;26604612]That why the room wasn't full. Without "degenerates", there would be no public cards rooms.

Don't know what this meant, but the room was full...all tables were going. And everyone at my table had the appearance of showering that day.

Yes -- most days it eventually gets going

sometimes as early as 3pm -- often later, more like 6ish

if you call 30-45 min before you plan on getting there i dont think youd ever have to wait for a 2-5 seat at the shoe

I called ahead to Joliet and was placed on the list...

A few of us from out of town are coming in Tuesday and will be there about
2:00 and hope to be playing that 3/5 game.

Does anyone know how the morning game is? I have been thinking about playing from 9-12.. before my 1pm shift...

Overheard they're planning two tourneys a week when it's approved by gaming

Tommorow night from 5-8 is half rake at the 10-20 and 20-40 limit.

FYI...if you hit one of their high hand jackpots, be prepared to give your social security number and receive a 1099 at the end of the year. I hit a straight flush for $100 and the manager asked me for my license and players card. 5 minutes later he came over and asked for my social (which isn't on my license). I asked why and he said because the high hand jackpots are 1099'd? I told him he can keep the $100. Has anyone else ever heard of this? I could go to 10 different slot machines and win $1199 at each one and never get a 1099. Ridiculous if you ask me.

Man you are crazy! Just give them the SS#. What you don't understand is 1099 is a promotional prize form not taxes. That's it. What you are talking about with slots is a W2G. They take taxes out for W2G not 1099.

I would have taken the money all day. Next time learn the tax rules of the game before you play. No taxes in poker except for tournaments with payouts over 5,000. Funny, how does it feel to leave $100 on the table. Knowing you it probably wasn't the only money you left on the table.

Went there this past weekend, tons of action, and a few rocks with stars in their eyes at the sight of it.

The poker room is in a corner of the main gaming floor, with almost no separation. The table games seem to have a tie-in with Rockstar energy drink, and they're branded the 'Rockstar Party Pit', so it's pretty much louder than all hell during peak hours.

The dealers are...all new. They're nice, and a few of them know how to run their game, but it's gonna be slow for quite a while.

That 3/5 (max buyin = largest stack on table)does look quite interesting, but with a time-drop, I'm gonna wait until the dealers get a bit more seasoned until I try it out. Would like to see a nice little tournament, or even a limit game get going there.

Just called and the floor I spoke with said that the only thing that he has seen run is NLHE, but they'll spread whatever is requested when I inquired about HORSE, 5/10 Omaha8, or 1/2PLO8 (though I didn't inquire about Pineapple or draw games)... It's just a matter of getting enough such people in one place. When I know I can find something besides NLHE, I'll make the trip down.

Thursday

I wish they'd have something like a cheap Omaha/Limit/7CS tourney on a Tuesday morning. Get some people to play a new game on the cheap and get a taste.

On second check, I may be wrong about Thursday. They are planning on Thursdays and Sundays, but not 100% that it's this week

You know me? Well, I receive 1099's for some self employed income so when the suit tells me I will receive a 1099, I figure I am going to have to pay taxes on that money. Here's why:

Form 1099 is a form promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is used in the United States income tax system to prepare and file an information return to report various types of income other than wages, salaries, and tips (for which Social Security Administration Form W-2 is used instead). The term information return is used in contrast to the term tax return although the latter term is sometimes used colloquially to describe both kinds of returns. Each payer must complete a 1099 for each covered transaction. Three copies are made: one for the payer, one for the payee, and one for the IRS.

Leaving $100 on the table isnt going to change my life, maybe it would yours. The reason I posted in the first place was just to see if this was standard in other poker rooms, not to have some random internet tough guy tell me they know me.

Hey guys I have a question.

When Doyle Brunson was at Harrah's Joliet for like 3 days promoting the opening last week, did he randomly jump in and play any cash games?

Give the admins another workout pulling my posts, CRITICAL OF "legal" poker rooms: Poker is becoming ONE BIG RIPOFF.