I have yet to play the 1/2 games at Empress Joliet... being that im in the southwest suburbs its the same ride from my house to there as it is to horseshoe in indiana... and i find their room to be much much better.

since we're obviously all from Chicagoland... anyone interested in starting a few home-game's should drop me a private message... myself and 2 fellow 2p2'ers are trying to get something going but we need some more people unless we wanna play 3-handed... haha

What's the latest on this room? Is there still enough action to keep a couple tables going at night? I am looking to play a couple of times, once at least at the Horseshoe, and have to decide between either Hollywood or Empress.

I prefer Empress to Hollywood but at least Hollywood typically has plenty of action at all times.

The trend I've seen is around 3-4am the game breaks down to one table, which usually gets down to about 6 handed around closing time.

Played at Hollywood Jolliet (nice changes with the new casino) on a Wednesday night (7-11 pm). There were 4 tables which ultimately got ot 5 around 9:00 pm. The competition was good but not great. I really liked the dealers although one was really slow.

I think this will be a room I start playing at more often since I don't like Hollywood Aurora and Horseshoe is over an hour away.

what's the rake at Hollywood Joliet, now that it's under new management?

I didn't pay attention thinking it would be the same as it was ($6) but I will verify and post next time I play there.

It is the same 6 dollar rake.

Question for anyone that plays regularly here...Is there a sign up list for early in the morning or how do they determine the list in the am? What time do they start a 2nd and 3rd table typically?

is anything other than 1/2 NL ever spread?

On Saturdays it opens at 10am list starts the night before. Second table usually opens by 11. not sure about weekdays, i'm guessing its quite

......And now ipods are banned. The reason? No one knows.

Poker staff at Hollywood (former Empress) take themselves WAY to seriously. Small mind folks for a small room. They could never operate a successful larger poker room. They act like the place is a court house, rather than a place for some casual entertainment. I stopped going in that joint long ago...because of the staff, (after receiving a tap on the shoulder, for a "cell phone infraction").

what was the specific infraction? were you using the phone to talk to someone or just looking at something on it? A text? internet?

I pulled out my phone to check the time of day, as that skinny lady was standing near by. I'm old. I don't text. As I understand it, you can't even touch your phone, or have it in your hand, while seated at the poker table. "Put it away", just as in kindergarten.

I used to do the same thing Magoo, my phone is my watch. Except at Empress where I have to walk out of the "room" to look at the phone.

wow, i guess players there like the kindergarden treatment... with you on this on magoo.... screw that place....

I was at this place a few weeks ago. It was a Friday/Saturday night.

Two guys almost got in a fight at my table over the most ridiculous thing ever. Some guy lost a pot and said something to the effect "He really stuck it in my ass there"

The drunk guy who won the pot went on an anti-**** rant saying he didn't put anything in anyone's ass. They both proceeded to stand up and ask each other to go third floor. Got into each others faces multiple times before being booted. Pretty funny.

I've gone a few other times and have been busted by the same kid every single time. So frustrating. The play is so bad at this place, yet, I can't seem avoid this kid. I've probably dumped $800 to this kid the times he's been at my table. It's his image more than anything. Dresses extremely well, looks like he is about 18 years old, wears a flashy designer watch, and orders kiddie cocktails at the table.

This game is seriously crushable however.

It makes me laugh that some of guys think 6 dollar rake cap is high. I play in a 2/5 that rakes 10 percent capped at 50 dollars. This game is very juicy not to mention beatable.

These Illinois poker rooms absolutely do not care about poker players.. I'm sick of the rake, overly paranoid rules and wait times. It would do them some good to spend some time up at the Horseshoe Hammond and see how its done.

I was told last night no electronic devices are allowed at any gaming tables per Illinois gaming board. I have my doubts this is the reason.
Are ipods allowed at any other Illinois poker room?

Harrahs Joliet opens 8 table poker room April 1st, modeled after horseshoe Hammond, they , harrahs hired an actual poker person from outside their casino to run their poker room. Just remember when you have a choice between 2 poker rooms, how do you like to be treated ?

Thursday they started hiring dealers. From what I've heard 100 tried out and 20 made round 2. I'll try and show up some time in April to check it out.

You hear anything about limits?

This is great news and I look forward to April 1st. I just lost my job so while I look for a new one I plan to play quite a bit at Hollywood (Horseshoe is too long a drive for me) so have a closer room run anything like Horseshoe would be great for me.

BTW, I don't have any real problems with Hollywood, especially the rake, except for the lack of electronic lists and point tracking.

No, but I'd say a pretty good guess would be; 6-7 tables of 1/2 NL and 1-2 tables of 2/5 NL with either a $6 + $1 or $7 + $1 rake/drop.

While typical table games(BJ, roulette, 3-card, etc.) do not allow for phones or other electronic devices, at the Paradice casino in East Peoria, IL, there is absolutely no problem with cell phones, ipods, mp3 players, or anything else at the poker tables.