Those sweets are nice man. Obviously though the Vic does treat the rake game customers terribly, I honestly don't know why people choose to play rake games their as opposed to Leicester Square. The new 25p chip thing is just a complete joke, the chips will annoy customers and probably result in reduced tips for dealers/waitresses. No reduction in shorthanded rake will significantly hurt 1/2plo games that often run through the night shorthanded. Just seems like a pure money grab that will probably hurt them in the long run. This is coming from someone that plays in the Vic basically every day (mostly time charge games).

There is usually at least one 5/10 game, mostly plo but a bit more NL recently actually, on weekday evenings, weekends less often.

The Vic sounds like it's becoming less and less player friendly. Now that there's more options in London to play £1/£2 at, I'm surprised that they're not trying to get on-side. Coupled with the fact that the Cardroom is depressing as ****, I don't see the need to grind there.

I've been tweeting them, always get favourites and retweets from them. Doubt I will with these.

Although I haven't actually been there and can't really comment on its value, The Big Slick Poker Club is in Croydon so that could be considered a plus I suppose.

The 25p chips at The Vic is bordering on unacceptable as far as I'm concerned. All other UK poker rooms stick to a 50p minimum chip and this new introduction is really taking the piss. It's a very big FU to quite a largely loyal player pool and just another scheme to extract money. It's also certainly all the more reason to avoid 1/1 like the plague. Now, though, at least you can pay the waitresses exactly £1.25 for a cappuccino (and not have them assume they have the god given right to pocket your 25p change without so much as a how's ya father).

Furthermore, there is one real good reason to grind at The Vic... and that's to get entry to their cash-race MTT. True, midweek you're looking at around 70% familiar-faced regs at the table (as opposed to about 30-40% at The Hippo) but you do get entry to that cash-race MTT. I suppose therein lies the trade-off.

As for The Hippo, you don't get an extra pound taken out of the pot for BBJ and cash-race and it's generally a more vibrant atmosphere. Just don't get me started on those ridiculous bog-roll dispensers designed to make it as infuriarating and as difficult as possible to get access to the said bog-roll!!

I understand exactly what you mean (especially 2/5 & above) but the cardroom was at full capacity both those nights. Though most of the tables were for the tournaments (which I have to say are very popular at the Vic now).

Frankly there are so many good 1/2 games in London now I know a lot of the old 2/5 players regularly move down to them, better game selection. The number of players who will play live 2/5, 5/10 or higher is pretty small in the UK.

Hello, new fish here

I've read a lot about the 1/2 games at the Vic but not a lot about the tourneys. I'm thinking to play one this weekend, what are the players like? Is it full of regulars or are there recreational players as well? Your honest opinion would be appreciated.

Cheers!

I wouldn't worry about the standard at any weekend tournament. The players at aspers are the worst but their tournaments last forever. Depends what you want!

Playing at the vic today if anyone is about

What time you playing til tonight? You playing tomorrow?

Any idea what The Empire's big news they've been tweeting about is? If they're moving poker to the main floor I'll be playing there a lot more! Walk ins will increase and games will be good.

Handing back the BBJ money?....

Are the Hippo dealers playing a game in which they substitute alternative words in when they announce actions? "pot" for "call", "ace" for "raise" etc ? Could cause a ruling to be needed at some point.

I suspect the "news" is just that the poker room is being refurbished and temporarily relocated to the shadow bar.

Or maybe to a tent outside

I expect it is this as well. Was in there Sunday and the manager was showing me and another guy the plans. I think it is mostly a spruce up but there will be a dedicated entrance, near were the lift is now if I remember rightly.

Prefer shadow bar to downstairs tbh

I'm visiting London for 4 nights with the family soon and my wife has agreed I can go and play live poker on one of these nights after her and the kids have gone to bed


I will be staying near Kings Cross station, and it seems to me that both the Hippodrome (PokerStars room) and Vic seem quite close...

Where would you recommend to play as a one off experience?

EDIT:
Looking to play a low stakes cash game or small buy in tourney (or both ).
Paying for it out of my holiday savings (£150 - £200 to spend) as a one of experience so no bank roll issues

I'd say the Vic is your best bet. The Hippodrome only lays 1-2 and with 150-200 you'll be severely underrolled for that. Also the Hippodrome doesn't do low buy in regular tournaments. If you do go to the Vic, you'll need to join, so you'll need some ID.

Another vote for the Vic. The tournaments are often £80 with a decent amount of play but if you bust early you can play £1/£1 with anything from £50 up. Yes the rake is huge but as a one off that's where I'd go.

You can walk around the 5/10 tables and watch some big pots being played out, it's also better than the Hippo for people watching IMO.

As long as you're ok with 10% rake PLUS £1 taken out of every £20+ pot for the loyalty cash-race, the The Vic's 1/1 tables might be best for a one-off £200 spin-up attempt. Possibly playing in their evening tourney first and then moving onto the cash-game tables afterwards (either 1/1 at The Vic or onto The Hippo's £1/2 tables) might be a more dynamic option.

Recommend getting the Circle/Hammersmith+City westbound to Edgware Rd for the Vic from Kings Cross.

Thanks guys, Vic it is.

I'll be in London Saturday to Wednesday, any night better than another?

Saturday and nowadays Tuesday nights are the best there, followed by Sunday... Monday will be meh

Thanks