I think they only do them to maintain "mindshare" with the players. I don't even like their WPT megas because I don't want to be up at 6:30 am. I reserve my tournament donking for Vegas.

how often does 10/20 omaha hi lo run? thanks

Pretty much never now, unfortunately. :-(

I just noticed they raised there tournament rake significantly,

The second Saturday used to be $505+25, it's now $505+45

I haven't checked but I highly doubt the structure got any better, I'm sure blinds still double in three levels down the stretch.

101's answer to M8trix:

Bay 101 plans to move closer to M8trix with new casino complex

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/n...s-to-move.html

There answer is higher rakes and poor structures. Last summer series was terrible. Unless its a wpt event I won't be back. Not enough draw for me. I have much better events and tournament series at home. Even the cash games have higher rakes. I guess more competition could help this but doesn't look good right now.

For such a big stop on the WPT tour, tournament management is terrible and the decisions dedicated to helping the locals. Two weeks in a row I saw 10-15 minutes pass on my table that was 3 players short with 3-5 tables left (no money, fast blinds). This is a 20 minute round tourney. Really? The tournament manager can't snatch somebody from other full tables to fill the big blind? They started telling me some bullshyt, including the fact that the tourney was a turbo. Well phuck yeah its a turbo. Turbo your ass and fill the table. At that point (3-4 tables left) players want to get in there seats too. Pull the next big blind from any table. How long does that take? You get moved all over the place for no rhyme or reason or frequency. They actually ruled that multiple cards hitting a hand in the muck were not dead. The TD, who was not there, and the dealer somehow picked the cards out of the muck and Lo and behold two Jacks for the local big blind. That Thunder Valley trip doesn't seem so bad the more I look at it.

Anyone know what's up with the new cell phone rule? Apparently you're not allowed to have your phone out at the table for any reason. Even when you're not in a hand. Even if you're just texting or adjusting your music. (!!)

I think the rule was added because people weren't paying attention to the game, so they were slowing things down. But the new rule feels absurd to me. As someone who was always *very* aware of the game and never once slowed down the action, I feel like they went way overboard here.

In the high limit section, you can have your phone below the table and still use it, but not above the table. Not sure what the rule is in the rest of the games.

Yes, basically this.

If people are using their phones below the table, it seems like that would slow things down even more.

heard someone was recording and streaming their play live and someone felt cheated and complained to the city

Same at the lower stakes. It seems like it's still pretty haphazardly enforced though. One guy at my table was watching netflix while he played.

Banning the use of cell phones doesn't work in poker. The action players are business men, lawyers, doctors, etc. If they can't be using their phones they stop playing.

another bay area casino had this rule for a year or so, before there numbers were greatly affected and the removed it.

the California grand, which I will continue to boycott until they remove the no flop full drop policy.

Is that rule only for NL, or does it apply to limit games as well?

I know there are some older posts with this information but I want more up to date intel.

I just moved to the Bay Area from Philly where I played at Parx and Borgata. Looking to play 5/10 (or equivalent) and 10/25. What are my options around the Bay Area and what days of the week do games run? Thanks in advance.

I don't know if CA Grand even has NL games...
when I was there 2 years ago I played the 15/30 limit holdem game, and there was a $5 button blind that was live for the player but went straight to the house preflop.

every poker game in the house. Chop 15/30, pay $5.

They have 2/2/3 nl, and 2/3/5.

10/25 NL runs at M8trix on M-W-F starting in the early afternoon.

In the NL section, how much does one need to tip the floor on a Friday or Saturday night to get to the top of the list?

There's only one guy (that I know of) that has this privilege, and you are not him. AFAIK tipping will not help anyone else.

Saturday nights are often not all that busy.

Check out call in procedures for the lists at casinos. Many let you do this.

Curious about the turnout/prize pool for the "2nd Saturday" $550 tournament.

Just called them and no one I spoke too could remember/be helpful about the question.

Anyone played this event before?