I live equidistant to Mardi Gra & Gulfstream, but I have not played at Mardi Gra in months because the last few times I was there they were running only one 2/5 table.

Gulfstream regularly (as in every day of the week) runs at least two 2/5 tables, two 5/10 tables, and in the evenings regularly runs a 5/10/mandatory 20 straddle tables & occasionally higher limit tables, too. Plus they're starting to run some PLO tables, too. And Gulfstream is only about 4 blocks away from Mardi Gra!! What gives??

Will, why did all the players with money stop playing at Mardi Gra? Speaking only for myself, I stopped going because I got tired of having to wait to play, plus got tired of sitting at a table filled (primarily) with a bunch of bored senior citizens, who sit there day-after-day grinding & waiting to play the nuts.

The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over & over expecting different results. I'm not insinuating you're stupid (I know you are not), but if one of your goals is to attract more players & spread more higher limit games than you currently are, IMO you have to do something to differentiate yourself from your competitors.

There are three card-rooms in the immediate area (Gulfstream, Mardi Gra, & Dania) plus another five or so within a 20-30 minute drive. Players have lots of options in regards to where to play; since at the moment the action is not at Mardi Gra, why should players such as myself choose to go to Mardi Gra? I have some suggestions--why don't you begin to offer some comps or benefits to those higher limit players that other card-rooms currently do not? Such as:

1) Free drinks (or drinks for $1) 24/7 & not just after midnight. (And keep the liquor real, not the rot-gut that Dania serves)
2) A limited menu of free (or heavily subsidized) food.
3) A timed rake instead of the normal % of the pot.

Also, who's idea was it to comp players $0.25 for each hour of play?? Seriously, a quarter an hour?? That's an insult. Gee, after playing for eight hours I can buy myself a bag of chips . . .

Maybe the reason Mardi Gra attracts such a cheap crowd of poker players is because management/ownership treats poker players so cheaply. Just a thought . . .

Gamble,

In our $125 SNG, we have the top two chip leaders get $550 entries and the high hand wins a $500 certificate.

Additionally, we will be giving away more seats this week randomly as a promotion.

Pride,

No offense taken. I appreciate your well thought out post. I agree with you and we are trying to come up with some new promotions that will create and reward action and bigger games. We do believe some of the issue is location; however, I believe that this can be overcome. When I first came here almost 2 years ago, we would have 20 tables running and only 1 or 2 were NLHE. We now run between 50/50 to 60/40 NL. Also regarding comps, it is 50 cents per hour, not 25 cents.

Also, starting Nov 15 (today), we are offering free drafts, wine, and well drinks from 5PM to 8PM and 10PM to 2AM Mon - Sat. On Sun, we offer free drafts from 12 PM to 12 AM. This will be an ongoing promotion. We also have $1 drafts and drink specials at other times.

The food is a great idea. We have offered free sandwiches before; however, we stopped offering after we moved to the first floor. That is something that we may be able to address as well.

I disagree with the statement that we treat our guests "cheaply". We have for the past year given away more money every day than any other Poker room that I am aware of. We treat every player like a guest in our own home. If you every experience otherwise from one of my staff, please let me know.

We do need to attract a younger clientele that enjoys to play more action games and will be coming up with some new ideas and promotions to make that happen.

Thanks again for the insight from your perspective. Next time that you come in, please ask for me. Maybe I can bounce a few ideas off of you.

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
www.playbigeasypoker.com
Mardi Gras Casino

Starting, Tuesday, Nov 16, The Big Easy Poker Room will award certificates valued at $500 each for entry into the Florida Million Day One Event on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 12PM.

• Each day between November 16, 2010 and November 20, 2010 there will be one $500 certificate awarded at 1:30PM, 4:30PM, 7:30PM, 10:30PM, and 1:30AM.
• A total of 25 certificates will be awarded.
• Players will be chosen via the Random Seat Generator.
• Players must be 18 or over.

Good luck!!!

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
www.playbigeasypoker.com
Mardi Gras Casino

Will:

My comment about treating players cheaply was strictly in regards to $0.25 per hour comps. Perhaps it is Gulfstream that is giving a quarter an hour (and yes, I've told them, too, that I think such a low amount is an insult). I stand corrected, & glad to hear you offer 50 cents an hour. Honestly, though, I think ALL cardrooms should offer $1/hour--this should be an industry-wide standard.

As far as the free food that you all used to offer: no offense, but that was the same free food being offered in county lock-up. I know all the old timers used to rush that buffet table for the free donuts, ham sandwiches & subs & such, but you couldn't pay some of us to eat that. Maybe ownership won't allow you to offer free food, but free fries, grilled cheese, slices of pizza, soups, & salads really wouldn't cost that much.

Regarding your current food:

IMO the chicken wings at Mardi Gra kick are very good. Actually it's the hot sauce that I like, but regardless . . . The beef sliders that you all used to have (when room was upstairs) were off-the-hook great!! What happened to those?? The burgers at the bar used to be really good, think they may have changed from what they used to be, not really sure about that.

Feel free to PM me if you want to ask feedback re: promotion ideas. However, I prefer to stay anonymous, so am unlikely to introduce myself.

Best thing you could do to get action players back to Mardi Gra--rescinded ban on Steve! Oh wait--too late--the Isle did that a few days ago!!

Honestly, I think the only things that most players will respond to:

timed rake
free or reduced priced (half off?) food & alcohol
better comps

I know some people really like the $500 high hand jackpot.

And though I suppose it goes without saying, hot waitresses & dealers! Hot dealers are universally appreciated.

Will just a thought on why you might have lost some of the higher stakes players.

1. Business is down everywhere and it could just be the luck of the draw, but it is getting very competitive!

2. Perception of catering to lower stakes players.

3. The $2 drop for promotions and high hands.

4. The lowering of buyins 1-2 nl from $100 300 to 60 200.

5 What he said in previous post.

stu

Pride,

I do not disagree about the comps. We have been working on comping the NL players $1/hr, but the system that we use in conjunction with Bravo has given us some difficulties in differentiating different games and betting limits.

"Lock up" Actually, that's pretty funny. I thought they were pretty good myself! I will look into the sliders, I don't remember those. We actually just updated the menu and you can always order from our Sports Bar or French Quarter Restaurant menus.

The "Steve" issue is a bit touchy and will not discuss it in an open forum. What I can state is that we are open to discussing his status with him.

As far a timed rake, I would assume that you are referring to games to a $5/$10 NL or even a $10/$25 NL for time. I believe that most $2/$5 players still want to be included in jackpots and promos. Normally, timed games do not participate. But, I have no problem with charging time for larger games if there is an interest.

I will PM you later. Thanks again for the feedback.

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
www.playbigeasypoker.com
Mardi Gras Casino

Stu,

1. Agreed. The past few months have been slow statewide; however, we should and will continue to cater to our guests.

2. We are also looking into that for the new year. I agree that we have that perceptions.

3. $2 drop has helped us this past year; however, we may have to revisit that as well.

4. We did that because we started offering the $1/$3 by player request. Since that is $100-$300, we decided to lower the $1/$2 NL buy-in to accommodate more players. We currently offer both games.

5. Well thought out post.

Thanks for the feedback as well.

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
www.playbigeasypoker.com
Mardi Gras Casino

Will,

As a Florida dealer and fellow 2+2 lurker I just want to say that is very refreshing to see a poker room manager take the time to be so player friendly and look at all sides of the coin.

Since I have been in Florida I have heard nothing but good thing about how you run your room and treat your staff.

Best of luck to you and your room in the future.

Wil, I'm posting because I just got back from a ~20 hour weekend session at your room and seeing how much time you put into monitoring this thread and responding makes me think you truly care about feedback and improvement which is refreshing.

I live approximately 15 hours away by car and 2 hours by flight so I'm probably not the type of player you really have to accomodate to but I noticed a few ugly differences between my trip this weekend and my last which was on Memorial Day weekend earlier this year.

The biggest difference is the game selection and action are pretty dead whereas it was juicy just a few short months ago. 80% of this is probably due to the law change where players can't just buy-in for $100 at a time and play pre-flop poker. Let's face it, the old games were pretty much an all-in fest preflop which anyone can learn to play as the most common result is a coinflip and most worst case scenarios are 80-20 on pair over pairs. Most people can afford to play a few hours under those conditions. Now, with "real" poker being played those players can only afford to get stacked drawing nearly dead a few times before they have to head home.

That part is out of your control and is probably why the games are hurting state wide.


Let me offer up a few suggestions as to why your room is hurting for NL action moreso than a few others (notably the Isle)...

This post is certainly meant constructively as I've played in nearly every poker room in Vegas and Atlantic City and I think Mardi Gras far exceeds expectations as far as tv-setup, dealer compentency, floor staff support, etc. It's a genuinely pleasant room to play poker in.

Let me also state that happy hours for beers+liquor is a terrific step in the right direction if you want to increase your competitiveness for the younger crowd. When I have to pay more to drink at a casino that is raking my pots than I would at home getting drunk, poker ceases to amuse me very much.


As with anything in life, the more you incentivize something the more of 'it' you will get. Right now you are taking $2 from every pot at the NL tables for the jackpot which those players will most likely never see a dime of return on. Again, I played NL for 20 hours on a fairly dead weekend and not once did a player at our 1/2, 1/3, or 2/5 table even get to post their high hand on the board, let alone win the prize. I understand the high hand pool is doubled (or tripled for 2/5) but this still doesn't account for the huge subsidy the NL players are paying the codgy old badgers playing $1-$2 limit or $2-straight limit. You need to separate the high hand pools like they did in May, or you need to reduce (or eliminate) the high hand rake at the NL tables so it doesnt bastardize the game so much and make it unworth playing.

In a $1-$2 NL taking $7/pot ($8 counting the dealer toke) is impossible for nearly all players to beat, and at best a huge waste of time for a competent player.

You say above that you want players to be able to buy-in for $60 but my question is why? Shortstackers ruin the game of poker and make it unprofitable for all involved. Management looks at it as "not chasing off a player who has $60 to lose but not $100" when they should be looking it as "chasing off 9 players who have six $100 bills to play for but choose another casino that they have a shot to win money at".

The $60 buyin guy can afford another $40 if he really wants to play. If not he can wait until next week.

The nine players willing to buy in for $100-$200 are the ones to accomodate, not the other one weak tight preflop folding, non rake producer.

Case in point, twice this weekend I sat at 1/2 because it was the only game running in the casino. Both times nearly EVERY player at the table wanted and agreed to play $1/$3 but was rebuffed by ONE player who wanted to keep it $1/$2.

The solution? Make it $1/$3. Force the $1/$2 guy to play the $1/$3 or let him get on the list for the next $1/$2 game that comes along. Don't risk losing the actual players just to get a guy who folds 94% of his hands preflop and contributes $1/hr to the rake.

I won $1,000 dollar bucks this weekend playing super laggy at your casino and I walk away thinking, damn I shoulda won $1300 if I hadn't gotten raked to death and had to sit out so much waiting for games to get off the ground. That doesn't bode well for my casino selection next trip...


Pure suggestion. Offer a $2/$5 game that pays $3 max rake and $2 jackpot. You will still rake more per hour at that table than you do at $2limit table, you dont risk pissing off the codgy limit players that play daily, you can still offer the 3:1 odds on the high hand payoff, and you will generate ACTION in your casino instead of empty tables and dealers dicking off in the breakroom because they can't get 3 straight downs.


Get some action in your casino and other wanna-be poker stars will play in your room.

The Bellagio doesn't spread 400/800 because that game is more profitable to them. They spread it because it attracts 1/2 and 2/5 players who want to say they play there too.

You get what you incentivize.

Pure suggestion. Offer a $2/$5 game that pays $3 max rake and $2 jackpot.

I'm a reg 2/5 at isles, and this would influence me to play more at mardi gras.

I heard that twice you didn't get off a fla millions tourny. have you been getting satellites off for it? You have a good promotion and I would like to come down and play just don't want to waste my time if nobody else is there to play too.

Thank you for the kind words! Very much appreciated. I am always open to hearing suggestions from knowledgeable people.

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
www.playbigeasypoker.com
Mardi Gras Casino

Nap,

That idea for a reduced rake has been thrown around. It is something that has been discussed and we are open to something like that.

Regarding the FL Million, we have sat/hh 40 players for this event and have at least another 20 entries to give out. I definitely believe that we will have enough to run the event. I am hoping for 100+ due to the fact that it is the last event in Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
www.playbigeasypoker.com
Mardi Gras Casino

Thank you.
Agreed. Most of the action has seemed to concentrate in a few rooms.

Again, thank you and I appreciate the constructive criticism. Fresh eyes can give a new perspective.
That is what we are expecting. If it goes well, we may extend the hours.

We actually got less play when we separated the jackpots. We had two hourly high hands: $75 in limit and $150 in NL and we had less NL games. Same thing when we had $500 and $500…less games. It almost seems counter-intuitive. We do want to create a promotional program that is much more NL friendly and we are in the process. Some of our ideas are a bit outside the box and the State may or may not look upon them in a positive light.

We had many guests that were going to other unnamed facilities that offered a lower buy-in. By offering a $1/$2 ($60-$200) and $1/$3 ($100-$300) we believe that we are meeting both needs. The issue becomes when you have 5 on one list and 5 on the other and no one wants to play the other game which would not be an issue if there were only one offering.
I don’t necessarily disagree with that statement.
See response in previous post.

Great post RD and some very worthwhile insight. I really appreciate everyone making suggestions. We pride ourselves on treating our players like guests. We now need to attract the action players and get some juicy games at The Big Easy.

Thanks again,

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
www.playbigeasypoker.com
Mardi Gras Casino

This has been changed:

Starting, Tuesday, Nov 16, The Big Easy Poker Room will award certificates valued at $500 each for entry into the Florida Million Day One Event on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 12PM.

• Each day between November 16, 2010 and November 20, 2010 there will be one $500 certificate awarded at 1PM, 4PM, 7PM, 10PM, and 1AM to the player with the highest hand the previous hour on jackpot eligible hold'em games.
• A total of 25 certificates will be awarded.
• Players must be 18 or over.

Hello All,

I was out of the office this past week, but I just wanted to wish you all a joyous Holiday Season. Wishing you all wealth, health, and happiness in 2011.

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
Mardi Gras Casino

www.playbigeasypoker.com

+2 this is a great idea, I would def play 2/5 nl at Mardi Gras if this was the rake.

Also I think having a 1/1 game with a 20-100 min-max and a 1/2 with a 100-300 buy in is better than having a 1/2 60-200 and 1/3 100-300.

We have change the structure of our high hand promos for January and they are definitely geared towards the NL games and creating more action. Here is a rundown of what we will be doing starting Jan 1, 2011:

• Easy Money Monday and Friday: $100 every hour from 10 AM to 3 AM except at 11AM,12PM, 1PM, 5PM, 6PM, 7PM, 11PM,12AM, and 1AM when the prize will be $300.
  
• Fat Tuesdays: $100 every hour from 10 AM to 3 AM except at 12PM, 3PM, 6PM, 9PM, and 12AM when the prize will be BIG EASY BONUS HOURS of $1000.
  
• Wild Wednesday: $100 every 30 minutes from 9:30 AM to 2:30 AM.
  
• Double C-Note Thursday: $200 every hour from 10 AM to 3 AM
  
• Saturday Sunday Funday: $500 every hour from 12 PM to 12 AM
  
• No Limit Action: In all no limit games players may use one card to qualify for the high hand. Players who qualify with two cards receive a double payout. Both hole cards must be used for $1000 Big Easy Bonus Hours on Fat Tuesday.

Thanks again for the feedback. Happy New Year!

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
Mardi Gras Casino

www.playbigeasypoker.com

We have discussed this in the past, but there are no immediate plans. We may run something like that as a promotion. We may also offer a $2/$5 with no JP.

I don't disagree with you Hawk, but we are spreading what the players have requested. We still offer an $1/$2 NL that is $60-$100 that no one plays.

Thanks and Happy New Year.

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
Mardi Gras Casino

www.playbigeasypoker.com

Damn Wil that Tuesday high hand promo sounds nice. Mardi Gras is the only room down here that I haven't been to but I'm going to have to check it out now.

Hope to get a chance to meet you when you come in. Fat Tuesday has been very popular. We expect a big response on Saturday Sunday Fundays as well.

On New Year's Eve, we are also giving away $2010 @ 8PM, 9PM, 10PM, and 11PM and $2011 @ 12AM, 1AM, and 2AM. This is a casino wide promotion along with fireworks, champagne, etc.

Happy New Year,

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
Mardi Gras Casino

www.playbigeasypoker.com

Ill def make it over this week. I just hope the players are similar to the ones found ay Gulfstream.

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
Mardi Gras Casino

www.playbigeasypoker.com

Played here 3 hours tonight before heading out for NY parties and I really enjoyed the room. I prefer to play in a darker room and the Mardi Gras room definitey fits that compared to the Gulfsream which is very bright. We had this one guy who was a total douchebag at my table and the floor staff dealt with him pretty well. The players at my table were pretty fishy but I was pretty card dead so I only left with a 20 dollar profit byt ill definitely be back possibly tomorrow or the next day.

Glad to know that you enjoyed the room. With our new one card high hand no limit promos, I expect the games to be more loose and fishy now.

Have a Happy New Year!

Wil Herrera
Director of Poker Operations
Mardi Gras Casino

www.playbigeasypoker.com

Hey Will I am planning on doing a long session tomorrow on the cash tables and am wondering what kind of table food service options there are. I'm wondering if you guys offer healthy stuff like egg whites or grilled chicken with veggies. Last time I played in your room I ate upstairs where you are pretty much limited to wings, burgers, fries etc which are pretty good but I only eat that kind of stuff once every few weeks or so.