meep!

I'm not clever enough to write words about the Borgata to do the room and management justice. Today, on a rainy Tuesday afternoon I found a few hours to make a visit, play some cards and enjoy poker at it’s best. What's more, I finally had the opportunity to visit with Stan Strickland, who's famous in the poker world and somewhat of an east coast legend. He took the time to speak with me in length about his philosophy for the room and gave me some insight into his management style. His energy is reflected in every aspect of the Borgata. I play small at 1/ 2 NlHE, but I was made to feel like an important part of the Borgata customer base. Stan even gave me an informal tour of the new construction and ever increasing investment in Borgata upgrades. His “Board Room”, complete with lockers, huge TV's and everything that his high roller could hope for in a poker room should be open soon. A place where big decisions are made and large amounts of money are involved. I'm told that the 300/600 game and anything above 25/50 NLHE will play in the “board room” which will feature two spacious tables with upgraded seating.

I'll be in Vegas next month and I'll try to find a room as good as the Borgata, but I don't believe it’s possible. I've already played in every major room in the city, but I'll look at them again from a comparison position. Stan uses the name "Ruler of the East" on Two plus Two, but the alias would be more appropriately be named "Ruler of the World”. Really, where is there anything this good?

You're just a weekend warrior, you don't count

Does anyone know what the slot/comp dollar rate is for video poker?

I'm sure vp comp and slot dollars depend on the game. I can tell you it's very hard to get slot dollars playing 9/6 job

Where's this room located?

I guess it'll really only be occupied on the weekend. 25/50 really doesn't run very much at all

I guess Stan's philosophy doesn't include smoke-free bathrooms. I'm sure someone with his influence can very quickly, and without much effort, take steps to ensure that the smoking in the bathroom is completely stubbed out. But despite numerous complaints, absolutely nothing has been done. And it's only getting worse.

I did visit the bathroom while I was at the Borgata and I would have noticed if someone had been smoking. An interesting complaint since the outside door just past the racebook is easily as close to the front tables. I know because that’s where I go to take important phone calls. Bathroom smokers must be a weekend thing when it's more crowded and tables near the faciltity are in use. Either way, many people have a distinct problem with smoking. Recently at Parx I noticed smokers in the bar area, but no smell because of exceptional ventilation, Also Sands had smokers on the rail in their poker area, but again, I didn't notice anything while playing there. I agree, it's kind of hard to get away from smoking smells in the bathroom.

The “Boardroom” will be to the right of the present roller area facing from the front of the room. It's not that $25/$50 NLHE will run everyday, but as I understand it, that will be the minimum NL game if it does run. I assume playing in that room will be the two largest games running at any given time.

But, I have to note that there are many rooms now in the US. Most poker rooms are managed by people who don’t listen at all to the players, or possibly just a little. Some don't have real managers who understand the players. Typically these men/women are driven by corporate policies and profits and quite honestly, cave to casino executives when the going gets rough. The Borgata is a true reflection of strong poker operations management where players needs and comfort are very high on the priority list. I play a lot of rooms throughout the country and see that kind of exceptional management from time to time. It’s not a rule

Call me crazy, but why should it be the responsibly of management to police the actions of the stupid players that believe it is acceptable to smoke in the bathroom? Why should management be responsible to police an action people should be policing themselves? Walk out the room, turn right, walk 50 feet until you are outside. How difficult is that?

There are always going to be people that believe they are above the rules, especially in a casino. This is often seen by many higher-level players that believe casino rules do not apply to them because they have a different color card than everyone else. Obviously posting a security guard outside the restrooms that would periodically walk inside did not deter the bathroom smokers. So other than posting a security guard 24/7 inside the restrooms, which would be stupid and a waste of personnel, what do you expect management to do to resolve the problem that really should not be their problem to resolve?

It is funny, because the first thing I think when I smell smoke in the restroom is how stupid the person is for doing it, not how management should be responding.

I wish people would STOP COMPLAINING about the smoking in the bathrooms. not because I care either way, but because I truly believe the response will be to get rid of the solid doors from floor to ceiling for the bathroom stalls. I truly hope this does not happen. Those doors make that pooper feel like my home court dammit.

Don't feed the trolls. This subject has been beaten to death on multiple occasions.

Time for a live game report Wednesday 4:00pm

(http://www.theborgata.com/poker_live_data.cfm)


(33) Live games


(4) 2-4 LHE
(1) 3-6 LHE
(2) 10-20 LHE
(1) 20-40 LHE


(1) 10-20 O.E
(1) 40-80 Mixed


(15) 1-2 NL
(7) 2-5 NL
(1) 5-10 NL


(182) 11am $100 + $20 NL tournament


BBJP $473,274


Stan

Stanstrickland@theborgata.com

How many runners does the daily $120 tourney get for 11am? What about the Wednesday 15k guaranteed? And how much does 1st place pay around?


How many hours does these tourneys take to finish? How many to make the money?


Thanks!

1. look up!

2. for the one this a.m. I would guess about 4,400 IDK, wasn't there, but that would be my guess.

3. Again my guess for todays' a.m. 6 or 7 hours, so sould be finishing up soon. (if anyone is in the room confirm for me please).

BTW, I have seen over 300 players for both a.m and p.m. 15k's but that's in the spring and summer. I was in an a.m. once and just made the money, it was 7:30 or 8:00 by the time I got my cash it was too late to make the p.m. Uhhggg!!! That was ok, sat in SNG and chopped it in an hour!

what's the deal with the renovated rooms? which floors? what's the upgrades? Do comps apply to them as well/easily as the "old" rooms?

They're on the top floors. Not sure how many floors are done. Biggest upgrade for regular rooms are plasma TVs (I'm in a fiore suite this trip, I think the TVs are the same). The furniture is also a lot more modern.

You can ask for a renovated room at check in. Not sure what qualifies you for it, it's based on your play obviously.

any of the regs from 10-20 hit the bbj?

did any of the regs hit it?

yeah, the two guys who won the big money are nice guys and are there a lot.

Time for a live game report Thursday 4:00pm

(http://www.theborgata.com/poker_live_data.cfm)


(32) Live games


(3) 2-4 LHE
(2) 3-6 LHE
(3) 10-20 LHE
(1) 20-40 LHE


(1) 10-20 Omaha H/L
(2) 40-80 Mixed


(11) 1-2 NL
(7) 2-5 NL
(2) 5-10 NL


BBJP $428,310


Stan

Stanstrickland@theborgata.com

22 limps UTG, I raise QTdd, AJdd cold-calls, 43ss calls, maybe a blind calls? and deuces calls obviously

Flop: 2d 2s 3d
I bet, AJ raises, 43 calls, deuces call, I 3bet, AJ caps, everyone calls

Turn:
Checks to 43 who bets, everyone calls

River: As
Quads finally bet. I fold, AJ calls but folds when its 3 bet back to him so no cap and 8 bets go in.

It takes 2 hours until the next hand is dealt table share only $2500, I've won pots bigger than that lol (not at 10/20 obviously)

Both are back today

Degens

I'm really suprised that a jackpot hit with there being two 3 of spades in the deck and all.

Don't know what you're talking about...

I tried this and the clerk pretended she didn't know what I was talking about until she finally admitted that the managers are responsible for distributing them.