Very new to the area. So I am leaving work from Springfield, VA tomorrow at 3:00 what is the fastest way to get to MD live. Usually 95 N to 295 N is quick ... But that is only going back into DC. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

It's been my experience that from 3-7pm there is no such thing as a fast commute from DC/NOVA to MD.

Leave before 2pm if possible. Both 95N and 295N gets backed up starting at 3.

This. ^

Commuted from Baltimore to DC for 5.5 months 2 years ago. I would leave work at 5pm to get home at 7pm. Google maps would say that my commute should have been about 50 minutes.

Greets, all. I'm making plans to come up this weekend and donate some of my hard-earned cash. Can anyone give me an idea of:

1.) how much traffic I can expect on the road from Alexandria to Arundel Mills early Saturday evening (around 5:00 PM), and

2.) the best way to get to Arundel Mills from Gaithersburg on Sunday around noon?

Also, will there be any interest in an LO8 game at any point this weekend?

TIA.

Is there a coffee shop like Starbucks or Panera within walking distance?

Need a place to do some work before I head over.

there is a Starbucks across the street, near the Safeway.

And a Panera too

this might not be representative of how the game will be in the future because i think we got a different crowd for the soft opening but here was my take from my short time there. The main action players play 5-5 @ CT and prob wont be in this game often when it opens so there will prob be a lot of limp/calling pre and 5-7 way flops. There were almost no all ins b/c a lot of people were sitting on 1k+ and if there wasn't a straddle it was like SPR of 10+ even with a raise and 5 callers so hard to GII IMO (ofc NF vs 2nd NF in 3b pots and big draws vs sets etc were all ins but not as many as a normal CT PLO game)(every1 seemed more competent then they most likely will be on a non test day tho so u might see more all ins). There was a lot of room to play which made it cool. plays significantly smaller then 5-5 @ CT but prob like the 2-5 NLHE or a little bigger in terms of size of pots.

There is a Starbucks in the Arundel Mills mall. Not in the food court however, you need to go to the other side near Bass Pro

I am in South MoCo and I generally take 495 either all the way to 95 or cut up Rt 29 if there is traffic on 95 or getting to 95. The only time I would go all the way up to 370 is if 495 was a parking lot (which it can be at times). From there you can take 100 directly to MDL. I'd also recommend checking out the traffic and cameras on Trafficland. You can see the levels of traffic and also monitor all of the various traffic cameras.

I know that good poker players keep an adequate bankroll and never have to go to the ATM for more cash. For the rest of us, remember to bring all the money you'll need with you to the poker room. I believe the ATMs at the casino will only dispense $240 maximum with a $5 transaction fee. There is an ATM located inside the food court of the mall that will go up to $600 for a $3 fee. I think the great state of Maryland is trying to protect people from draining their bank accounts. There's a Bank of America 1/4 away; I'm sure there's other banks in the area, too.

What's the temps like in the room?

Same as most casinos. Bring a jacket/sweatshirt just in case

Take the MD ICC 201 Bus from Shady Grove Metro. Check out MTA.gov for schedule information. Fares are $5 one way and multi-trip or monthly reduced fare passes can be purchased. The bus picks up and drops off right at the Casino and runs every hour. Cheaper than gas and tolls on the ICC.

does the poker room have its own bathroom/ATm? which parking area is best for the poker

I live in Gaithersburg also. Check out my last post on the ICC 201 bus. Picks up at the Park and Ride in Gaithersburg or at Shady Grove Metro.

Traffic shouldn't be too bad on Sunday with the Holiday on Monday. Otherwise, I would say to expect some delay. 95 is always a hike.

There should be LO8 running, as there were games on the invitational day and there seems to be a lot of interest in this game. You can call ahead or check Bravo prior to arrival.

No bathroom in the poker room - it's right outside the entrance. Not sure if they are building one inside the room. ATMs also right outside

Bathrooms are located directly to the right once you leave the poker room and go down the stairs. These are the primary restrooms that serve the poker room.

There are ATM's located within the casino, but none in the room itself. See the posts on ATM location and withdrawal amounts.

The best area to park is the outside parking area located immediately past the valet area at the front doors of the casino. You walk in and can get to the poker room by veering right and its a very short walk. Avoid the garage if you can, as is complex and is a longer walk. Parking is free in the outdoor area i'm speaking of. When you enter the mall at Bass Pro Drive, turn right and drive around to the casino entrance located next to Books A Million.

Depending on the time of day, I've been parking in the garage on the 6th floor right by the North-East elevators. The elevator will drop you off behind the gift shop, which is right by the main entrance. Likely a similar walking distance to parking out in the surface lot.

Good thing they have 50+ tables..hopefully they have 50+ dealers..

Coming to you from the feature table inside... you're all getting hats!

Made it door to door from Silver Spring in less than 40 minutes.

Are they streaming this first hand?

LOL People in line bitching to various suits walking by about not knowing that there would be a line to get in....some sickos in the high limit bj room are fun to watch!