Well, Dead, I've played NL the past few times I went. Based on what I saw, I'm sure there's plenty of NL regulars who read this thread.
Seems ridiculous you would have a 5 hour wait for your game. Was no one leaving or was there a decent list but only one table?
I used to be a 10/20 limit regular about 2 years ago. I took a long break until a few weeks ago. Working and whatnot.
Back then the 10/20 was a usually a bit of a nitfest. I used to score a small profit there. Not enough loose money hitting the table. The 5/10 was even worse. I always hated that game. The poorer idiots played 2/4 or 4/8 and the better off played 10/20 or 20/40. None of them chose the 5/10.
I was there on Friday night playing 1/2NL. Pretty boring night. Most opponents were fairly tight and knowledgeable. Not what you're hoping for.
I was card dead the first couple of hours and lost $50 or so entering pots that went nowhere. Boosted up to $225 profit on the next table, mostly from good PF cards and hitting the flop. There was a ton of money hitting the table from a steamer but I couldn't get into any of the right hands. Three guys worked up $600+ stacks.
I took a break and considered heading home a little richer. Instead I hopped back on the table. I ended up dumping all my profits in two big hands. Easy come - easy go.
The first, I had AKs and got ATo all in on the turn w/ an A high flop. I could just tell he had a worse A and the hand went perfectly. Sadly, he hit that ten on the river. He left a few minutes later while I had a smoke. Bastard!
The second hand I was dumb and I got JJ all in preflop against QQ. I should have known the guy had it and laid it down but I was up past 24 hours at that point and still numb over losing the AK hand.
Ended up going home minus $25 for pizza and gas. Better luck next time