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The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP

07-31-2014 , 05:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DGAF
Anyone have any insights on room rates/availability? Last time I called poker rate was super vague and dependent on occupancy iirc.
To the best of my knowledge, when you book you will get a rate quoted. Be prepared to pay that rate, because there is no way to know for sure whether they will honor a lower poker rate until you actually arrive for your stay. Yes, this is asinine, and to my knowledge no other poker room has a policy like this. None of the ones I patronize, anyway.

On the day you arrive / days you play, if they are at 90% capacity or less (I believe that was the cutoff), and you play 6 hours that day, go to the poker desk on the side of the room and they will call the front desk and have your rate for that one night knocked down to the poker rate. I'm not sure what the poker rate is now, last time I was there I was told it was $129. Each day you play 6 hours you have to go and repeat the process for that night's stay.

Beware arriving late in the evening your first day and not getting 6 hours in before the casino day rollover (at 6am?), they won't be able to go back and adjust your rate for the previous night's stay.

I was unexpectedly not given the poker rate when I stayed at CAZ in April, and will not be going back as a result (on the other hand, I have been/will be in Vegas to play at the B three times since my CAZ trip). You can read the details here and here.

Note that they did mention to me the possibility of the floor working some magic to lock in a poker rate at the time you book. I have no idea if that will actually work, but you should definitely give it a shot if you do decide to stay at CAZ.

Last edited by dinesh; 07-31-2014 at 05:33 PM.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
07-31-2014 , 05:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinesh
To the best of my knowledge, when you book you will get a rate quoted. Be prepared to pay that rate, because there is no way to know for sure whether they will honor a lower poker rate until you actually arrive for your stay. Yes, this is asinine, and to my knowledge no other poker room has a policy like this. None of the ones I patronize, anyway.

On the day you arrive / days you play, if they are at 90% capacity or less (I believe that was the cutoff), and you play 6 hours that day, go to the poker desk on the side of the room and they will call the front desk and have your rate for that one night knocked down to the poker rate. I'm not sure what the poker rate is now, last time I was there I was told it was $129. Each day you play 6 hours you have to go and repeat the process for that night's stay.

Beware arriving late in the evening your first day and not getting 6 hours in before the casino day rollover (at 6am?), they won't be able to go back and adjust your rate for the previous night's stay.

I was unexpectedly not given the poker rate when I stayed at CAZ in April, and will not be going back as a result (on the other hand, I have been/will be in Vegas to play at the B three times since my CAZ trip). You can read the details here and here.

Note that they did mention to me the possibility of the floor working some magic to lock in a poker rate at the time you book. I have no idea if that will actually work, but you should definitely give it a shot if you do decide to stay at CAZ.
Wow. Much appreciation for the detailed reply. It's almost like they don't want more business with those policies...

I can lock in $124/night right now online so I might just do that and not deal with the player's card bs.

Thx!
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
07-31-2014 , 07:37 PM
I think I am down about 4k in splash pots the past month. ****.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
07-31-2014 , 10:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by RockstarRossi
Why charge service fees and dealer add on fees for the points challenge tournament??

Its not enough that we paid $5 for every single tournament we played in for that 3+ month period toward fees and prize pool for this tournament that we have to shell out an additional $30 in fees + the good old "mandatory tip" of $20 (which is double what even the daily tourneys cost).

So, in summary, congratulations players for receiving entry into the "Points Challenge Tournament", and thanks for already paying rake toward this, now go ahead and pay us an additional $50 to play in it. Even worse, there is zero information posted about the actual size of this prize pool but still please go ahead and prepare to show up and pay the fees and we will then let you know what you are playing for?? This makes no sense on so many levels...

(Even if I missed that the prize pool amount is posted somewhere in the room, since it isn't online, this is still just an added money grab from the tournament players. Sorry if I'm out of line and this is just a whine, but...)
There's a flyer posted back behind table 46 now. 50k prize pool: http://imgur.com/UPCtzf4
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08-01-2014 , 01:41 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigpotpoker
I think I am down about 4k in splash pots the past month. ****.
lol, I won a monster splash pot last week.

But I was told the splash pot promotion is over. They're still running the spin the wheel, I think. The room did a good job knocking the BBJ fund down ~500K but now they've got to save up for the expensive football pool season which is a lot of fun.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-03-2014 , 03:28 PM
I played for the first time in two months yesterday. The vibe in the room is decidedly different than it used to be and it's not an improvement. The room is much less fun than it used to be. The new rules and the attitude of the staff take the enjoyment right out of the game. Dealers that used to be fun and friendly are now exactly the opposite- looking to enforce silly rules as priority one sometimes over accurately dealing hands. This change is coming from the top and it is going to forever alter what was a great atmosphere and overall well run room.

Unsure if this is widespread or not but our table was told yesterday that we couldn't take the kill out of a short handed timed mix game. If this is indeed a rule it is asinine. This flexibility allows short handed games to continue when they would otherwise break.

The food prices are also just ridiculous. If management is reading this thread, fixing this needs to be a top priority. I observed very few ppl willing to order at the current prices. I for one will not be.

Here would be my list for improvements:
1) remove the Gestapo rules related to sweating of hands and rabbit hunting. Instruct staff and dealers that their primary function in the room isn't to act like policeman but rather to service the players and the room and ensure accurate dealing.
2) Fix the kill rules.
3) Fix food prices.
4) Allow different games and limits to be spread. I played at Commerce last week and remembered how nice it is to be able to play a variety of different limits. In a single day played 20/40, 40/80, and 60/120 holdem and then 50/100 up to 100/200 mix. From speaking with people in other venues they would like to travel to Caz to play but do not want to come to just play 20 holdem and smaller. Whenever the 40 holdem game goes it is full with a list. There is a player pool that is not playing the game it wants and this is due to casino rules. There are legendary stories of how good the 60/120 game used to be at Caz yet the casino will not spread it.
5) although it doesn't affect me as a local, the process of getting a poker rate as described by Dinesh is ludicrous. There are people that travel to Vegas and LA all the time to play poker. Caz could be one of those destinations but will never be as long as getting the rate is not guaranteed.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-03-2014 , 05:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jonboy72
I played for the first time in two months yesterday. The vibe in the room is decidedly different than it used to be and it's not an improvement. The room is much less fun than it used to be. The new rules and the attitude of the staff take the enjoyment right out of the game. Dealers that used to be fun and friendly are now exactly the opposite- looking to enforce silly rules as priority one sometimes over accurately dealing hands. This change is coming from the top and it is going to forever alter what was a great atmosphere and overall well run room.

Unsure if this is widespread or not but our table was told yesterday that we couldn't take the kill out of a short handed timed mix game. If this is indeed a rule it is asinine. This flexibility allows short handed games to continue when they would otherwise break.

The food prices are also just ridiculous. If management is reading this thread, fixing this needs to be a top priority. I observed very few ppl willing to order at the current prices. I for one will not be.

Here would be my list for improvements:
1) remove the Gestapo rules related to sweating of hands and rabbit hunting. Instruct staff and dealers that their primary function in the room isn't to act like policeman but rather to service the players and the room and ensure accurate dealing.
2) Fix the kill rules.
3) Fix food prices.
4) Allow different games and limits to be spread. I played at Commerce last week and remembered how nice it is to be able to play a variety of different limits. In a single day played 20/40, 40/80, and 60/120 holdem and then 50/100 up to 100/200 mix. From speaking with people in other venues they would like to travel to Caz to play but do not want to come to just play 20 holdem and smaller. Whenever the 40 holdem game goes it is full with a list. There is a player pool that is not playing the game it wants and this is due to casino rules. There are legendary stories of how good the 60/120 game used to be at Caz yet the casino will not spread it.
5) although it doesn't affect me as a local, the process of getting a poker rate as described by Dinesh is ludicrous. There are people that travel to Vegas and LA all the time to play poker. Caz could be one of those destinations but will never be as long as getting the rate is not guaranteed.
These are all reasonable complaints.

2 years ago I played 2,000 hours at CAZ, last year about 1,500. This year I hit 600 hours end of June but haven't played since and don't plan to return any time soon other than to close out my box. The treatment of the high limit games and players is just getting ridiculous.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-03-2014 , 07:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard Beale
lol, I won a monster splash pot last week.

But I was told the splash pot promotion is over. They're still running the spin the wheel, I think. The room did a good job knocking the BBJ fund down ~500K but now they've got to save up for the expensive football pool season which is a lot of fun.
Yeah hopefully. I think it was 550k when I looked yesterday.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-03-2014 , 09:46 PM
went to play the so-called free roll tournament today (not really a free roll as they charged us $50). they had put out flyers for the tournament in the poker room. the flyers had the tournament structure set out which showed there were NO ANTES. It is the same structure that they have for the regular daily tournament. All of a sudden after the second level, they announced the blinds for the next level and announce that the antes are starting. Everyone at the table is like WTF, there aren't any antes in the tournament. It was total BS. Everyone is playing under the assumption it's a no ante tournament and then they change the structure on us without telling anyone. I know they want to speed up the tournament but just tell everyone from the get go what the real structure is instead of misleading your customers.When you are the only game in town you can do whatever you want and get way with it.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-04-2014 , 10:43 AM
So they improved the structure and it pissed you off? Yeah I guess warning the the room about making something better would soften the shock a bit.
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08-04-2014 , 11:47 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by prickly00
So they improved the structure and it pissed you off? Yeah I guess warning the the room about making something better would soften the shock a bit.
you are missing the point. just tell the players from the start what the real structure is so they can adjust their play accordingly. strategy is much different in a no ante tournament vs. an ante tournament. obviously, you r clueless when it comes to tournament play.
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08-05-2014 , 01:08 AM
Long time reader, first time poster.
I was planning on driving up from Tucson to play in Sunday's satellite tournament for the AZ Poker Championship, but I keep thinking about the $45 rake (compared to the single table satellite rake of $20). So I was wondering, how often do the single table satellites take place? And with the tourney on Sunday, will they still run the single table satellites? Thanks.
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08-05-2014 , 02:47 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FCTucson520
Long time reader, first time poster.
I was planning on driving up from Tucson to play in Sunday's satellite tournament for the AZ Poker Championship, but I keep thinking about the $45 rake (compared to the single table satellite rake of $20). So I was wondering, how often do the single table satellites take place? And with the tourney on Sunday, will they still run the single table satellites? Thanks.
I've been playing every Tuesday and Wednesday for the last month and had my name on the list for the single table shootouts and only seen one run. Unfortunately I was in a pretty juicy 3-5 game and didn't want to give up my seat, hopefully this week they will be running more frequently with the championship approaching.
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08-06-2014 , 01:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by aueagles
you are missing the point. just tell the players from the start what the real structure is so they can adjust their play accordingly. strategy is much different in a no ante tournament vs. an ante tournament. obviously, you r clueless when it comes to tournament play.
Its true I am clueless when it comes to tournament play. I just started playing, they say the first thousand or so are the toughest.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-06-2014 , 12:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by prickly00
Its true I am clueless when it comes to tournament play. I just started playing, they say the first thousand or so are the toughest.
apology accepted
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-06-2014 , 01:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Degenerate Dealer
I've been playing every Tuesday and Wednesday for the last month and had my name on the list for the single table shootouts and only seen one run. Unfortunately I was in a pretty juicy 3-5 game and didn't want to give up my seat, hopefully this week they will be running more frequently with the championship approaching.
They have been running often. I always hear over the speaker that a satty is starting.

Also, wtf at $45 rake for the satellite. That's absurd.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-06-2014 , 03:07 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by aueagles
apology accepted
Yeah that for sure wasnt an apology for you and your whine about a format that got improved without warning. As staff mistakes go a format improvement isnt high up there. Clearly you cant see this wasnt rant worthy.
Now you coulda said hey peeps a mistake in our favor they improved the format today woohoo!! Not you though...
So yeah not an apology.
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08-06-2014 , 04:36 PM
Question for employees or anyone that may know. It says on website I can buy into tourney with credit card, is there a fee to this like a cash advance or something or will it be same total as a cash buy in. Going to play Anyways but may as well get miles if I can.
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08-06-2014 , 10:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigpotpoker
They have been running often. I always hear over the speaker that a satty is starting.

Also, wtf at $45 rake for the satellite. That's absurd.
They do a lot of interest checks, but rarely do they ever start one, at least when I am there.

Agree there super satellites are outrageous with a $30 service fee and $15 staff bonus. I don't mind the dealer appreciation, but it makes more sense to play the single or double entry satellites as far as the fees go.
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08-06-2014 , 11:11 PM
they should really pick up this weekend and all next week
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08-06-2014 , 11:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Degenerate Dealer
They do a lot of interest checks, but rarely do they ever start one, at least when I am there.

Agree there super satellites are outrageous with a $30 service fee and $15 staff bonus. I don't mind the dealer appreciation, but it makes more sense to play the single or double entry satellites as far as the fees go.
They are running constantly. They were running one after the other today all day.
The Arena Poker Room at Casino Arizona's Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ) -- FAQ in OP Quote
08-07-2014 , 12:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon_locke
Question for employees or anyone that may know. It says on website I can buy into tourney with credit card, is there a fee to this like a cash advance or something or will it be same total as a cash buy in. Going to play Anyways but may as well get miles if I can.
Let me know if you find out anything about this in the next few days from someone at the casino and it isn't posted here. Seems like a great option to get a little "rakeback" of our own through CC rewards/miles programs when we have the ability to pay off the CC immediately the same month and pay no interest!
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08-07-2014 , 02:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by RockstarRossi
Let me know if you find out anything about this in the next few days from someone at the casino and it isn't posted here. Seems like a great option to get a little "rakeback" of our own through CC rewards/miles programs when we have the ability to pay off the CC immediately the same month and pay no interest!
Asked the cage mgr and was told NO FEE. Must sign up through box office if using CC. They probably handle it just like a ticket to a show.
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08-07-2014 , 11:41 PM
Wonder who takes the hit, CAZ or the prize pool.
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08-08-2014 , 12:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pig4bill
Wonder who takes the hit, CAZ or the prize pool.
There is no EXTRA fee for paying with a credit card. They still pay the same amount as if they were paying cash. There will be no hit to the prize pool.
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