Ive been playing there quite a bit lately. It has some nice atmosphere with great dealers. Unfortunately being in the UK there is no free booze!


Tables usually quite loose but I play 1/1 and the rake is 10% £5 max which is realy steep.

they have a 1/2 as well.

The 1/2 is softer than the 1/1 and the 1/3 is softer than both the games, so its definately worth taking a shot, i think the staff are excelent including the dealers, the electronic waiting list is brilliant, decent tables (some with auto shufflers) and comfortable environment, dont like the chips b/c they are heavy and hurt hands to shuffle. Any regulars should recognise "ONE SEAT HERE"!

The chips are ridiculously heavy!

Whilst I could afford to play 1/2, I havent played live that much so will wait until I have played a bit more 1/1. I played a bit of 1/3 at 6am and the standard was staggering but with the way they were playing it would be very swingy.

Sometimes the queues can get absolutely massive which can be a pain if u lose in their tournament and want to play cash.

Most of the players suck.

Ello,

I´m going to London next monday for business for a week. I´m planning to play some pokerz at the Vic there, it would be awesome if you could answer some of my noob questions.

What is the rake system at 1/3? I saw something about paying a fixed rake per half hour? This is totally new to me, how does this work out?

What is the max buyin at the table and how would you describe level of play at 1/3? Many regulars?

Last question: do I need to make a reservation? I plan to play my first game next mondaynight at 1/3 there.. I would really like to hear some of you guys!

And also, what other casinos are good for 1/3 cashgames??

1 seat here! Lol, don't know how that guy hasn't topped himself yet.

I dont know any other casinos that offer 1/3 in London (dont know London very well), in the 1/3 game at the vic you pay £6 every half hour table charge and that means the pots arnt raked, the 1/3 game is usually very juicy with standard buy ins anywhere from £200-£600 and a big mix or regulars and people with too much money. No need to make reservations just turn up and put your name on the waitlist using the very easy automated wait list system

Ok thanks alot. How about 1/2? Is the Empire any good? Or the International? Will you be playing at the Vic next week?

I've just started playing there too. First time for live poker. I really like the place and feel comfortable there, even if the first time I was pretty nervous.

I have only been there 3 times but apart from being goaded into calling and loosing once, I am even over the three visits.

I just hope I manage to continue this in subsequent visits

I played the 1/3 at 6am one day. The standard was insanely wild. Just nit it out and you will be fine. I'd play it but I don't really have that much cash to risk.

The Empire has a 1/2 game that apparently on weekends is full of drunk nutcases. I've never played there but I've heard it is a lot smaller than the VIC and doesnt have as good an atmosphere.

The table queues for the VIC can get very long in busy periods.

Btw sl8a, you come across as a right dick. Maybe when you are old and just want to play poker we can laugh at you.

Iv never waited more than 20 minutes for a seat at the vic since they are always pretty fast opening new tables if necessary, i havnt played at the empire but i have been there and there were a ton of 1/2 and 2/5 games going and they have a good reputation as juicy. Michael Arnold is a legend "ONE SEAT HEEEEERE!!!"

Hehe. Alright, well I´ll be playing them pokerz there next week I think every evening from monday till thursday. if you see a Dutch guy killing the table
<-------------------------

One jail cell here!

Which night, or nights do you think are the loosest at the Vic for the 1/1 game. I kinda figure that Friday night catches all the afterwork been out for a few beers crowd, or is there no grounds to this?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Iv been there 5 times and there has always been a reasonably weak 1/1 however the rake is terrible for that game, you are better off playing 1/2 if you can afford it

What would you suggest the optimal buy-in would be?

Start with 100bb, stick to it, if you lose and the game is good then buying in for 200bb if you want if the game is really aggressive and your bankroll is quite shallow then nit it out with 100bb and double up

Update:

I went to The Vic on Saturday night. Decided that as i'm new to live poker don't have a huge BR I would be cautious, so I only took £100, £80 to sit down with and the remaining £20 for other bits and not to leave without a penny on me.

I did have a plan tho, If I play well but get beat I'm prepared to lose all of it. However, if i'm spewing chips i'm out of there when down to £40. Also, If I double up then i'm also out of there.

Result, played tight and was really suprised just how loose the table was, some people were playing ATC and just not reading players or the board. Not to mention the guy who threw away the winning hand on a QQ 99 board to 66 when his K high was good. So a set of Q's and rivered straight all contributed to a profit of £110 so all good this time. Mind you, I'm not stupid enough to think that this will happen every time, but nice nontheless.

See you there next week

Believe me this will happen every week/day

Ahh the Vic. Good card room, great games, excellent electronic seating system and the worst waitresses on the planet. Seriously, I love playing there because the games are soooo easy but the waitresses are ****ing awful. I don't think I've ever seen one of them smile and when u pay they don't even pretend to give you your change back. You pay for something costing say £3.90 and give them a fiver and that's the last time you'll see them!

IMO they need to hire 3 or 4 new waitresses to speed up the service as well.

However, the games are brilliant. Plus you can watch some awesome high stakes action while you wait and the regs don't usually mind as long as you aren't breathing on their necks.

For me, though, you really can't beat the Empire on Friday/saturday nights. Guaranteed 8 full tables of 1/2 and half of those playing are drunk and/or learning with £50 stacks which is good cos they fold everything then put it all in with tptk. Ship please.

Plus the staff at Empire are quality. I had a dispute over a pot being £100 light once and they paid me out on my word. And the dealers are just hilarious.

Sorry, I've kind of hijacked this thread but I play a fair bit at Empire and prefer it.

The Vic is incredible though and you should 100% go if you haven't already.

Any Empire regs ITT?

Texas.

Sorry, how could I forget?!?!

"ONE SEAT HEEEEEERRRRREEEE!!!!!"

Omg he's a strange one.

How would you rate the empire in relation to the Vic? I prefer (and remember that i'm new to live casino poker so this may change) playing against slightly bigger stacks than the min as I play a TAG game and find I get more value from larger stacks.

However, if you think that the empire in a better option then i'll be there over the weekend, afterall, you can't judge a place untill you've been there.

Ohh, and yeah he's a character for sure.... when he's awake that is

wingnuts, No one has mentioned to you that the Vic has a 48 hour waiting period before you can enter after joining. Atleast I think this is still true, can anyone confirm?

Also, I am a big fan of The International Club in Old Street, They have 1/1 running from about 4/5 pm every evening (PLO on Wednesdays) and higher limits per request. The games are not as loose as the Empire but it is a much nicer card room (no casino) and the dealers/staff are excellent. Haven't been to the Vic (yet) so can't comment. But if you are looking for places to play when you're over here, you've gotta hit up The International as well as the Vic and Empire.

wingnuts,

The Empire is really loose on fridays/saturdays so it's easy if you can be patient and bide your time. However, I would recommend you come with a reload option. If you bust out your £100 (remember this is only a half stack) then you will want to rebuy. I advise buying in for minimum of £200 but if you're shortstacking I don't know. Just seems like the shortstackers are dead from the beginning cos a typical raise will be >10% of your stack.

International is cool. They have a fantastic £100 tournament with deep stacks and slow structure, however the fact that is a cardroom and not a casino means the play is slightly better. Well, to be more clear, there are fewer out-and-out gamblers. This can work both ways. You can enjoy a higher standard of game but you can also take a hit in your chances of winning.

The Empire has an amazing vibe, they have masseuses on tap, the waitresses are quite quick and there's lots of colours and flashing lights and big screens and bose speakers. What else could you want?

Very easy to fall into the "oh go on then, i'll just have one corona" game tho. Haha. We've all been there. 19 coronas later you're on the floor and the dealer's waking you up asking if you want to check your option on the big blind. Best. Nights. Ever.