Oaks Card Club (Emeryville, CA) - Page 10 - Venues & Communities -- Two Plus Two Poker Forums

What would evidence of safety look like? News stories that read, "Man returns home from the Oaks, everything OK"?

Everything you will read about the Oaks will tend to be negative. The place is designed for people to lose their money, so there are way more losers than winners, and angry people tend to post more than happy people.

If you're really interested in getting representative data, you should trust what you read here over the news or even Yelp - people here play a disproportionate number of sessions vs the general public. But if it will help, I'll post on Yelp with my honest experiences (look for a post by Kevin M).

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11-01-2012 , 03:12 PM

#227

AlanBostick

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Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 11,514

Stay away from the Oaks Club; everyone knows that you shouldn't play poker with scared money.

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11-01-2012 , 03:13 PM

#228

AlanBostick

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By the way, note that this Alameda Sun article people keep quoting is five years old.

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11-01-2012 , 05:04 PM

#229

MApoker

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,705

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplebliss

Also, if you look on Yelp the latest review is of a guy who was threatened with being shot in the parking lot after he won a pot against a... well... shall we say a peculiar individual. Had to call the cops just to get out of there because security wouldn't help.

Yeah, OK, let's take a look at that entry:

Quote:

In a word GGGHHEETTTTOOOO !!! Find another place. Took one good pot after loosing all night, and some sorry peice of **** threatened to SHOOT me in the parking lot. Had to call the POLICE to be escorted out as security wasnt about to help. Atleast a 1/2 dozen skeezy Homeboys loitering just outside the door. I think they take turns robbing anyone who wins... DANGEROUS!!!

Sorry, but this is total bull****. Although I do believe the part about "loosing" all night.

Last edited by MApoker; 11-01-2012 at 05:27 PM.

Quote

11-01-2012 , 11:59 PM

#230

Captain R

Wot

Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,573

Ya but, I do believe the oaks is probably the sketchiest card room in the bay area. I mean, is there another one worse?

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11-02-2012 , 01:04 AM

#231

AlanBostick

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The Palace, in Hayward, comes to mind.

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11-02-2012 , 01:28 AM

#232

Zak3nnay0

old hand

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,236

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplebliss

So I find the word "Friendliest" in the title of this thread somewhat ironic.

It's meant to be sarcastic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recent Yelp Review

Atleast a 1/2 dozen skeezy Homeboys loitering just outside the door. I think they take turns robbing anyone who wins... DANGEROUS!!!

Perhaps Oaks shouldnt allow smoking near the front entrance. Apparently, friendly poker players smoking looks like dangerous gang members loitering.

For example, M8trix, the nicest cardroom in town, doesn't allow smoking anywhere near the entrances.

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11-02-2012 , 04:52 PM

#233

chillrob

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Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 21,102

Personally I hated walking through the smokers to get in and out of the place; kind of silly to have a non-smoking establishment bu then make you have to breathe it in coming and going. I would rather them have a smoking area inside the building (although maybe CA doesn't allow that anymore).

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11-02-2012 , 05:24 PM

#234

Zak3nnay0

old hand

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,236

There's a smoking area in the back. It's kinda hidden especially if you never venture over to the dark side.

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11-02-2012 , 05:26 PM

#235

callipygian

slowrolled by tpiranha!

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 19,880

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain R

Ya but, I do believe the oaks is probably the sketchiest card room in the bay area. I mean, is there another one worse?

Palace for sure
Casino San Pablo for sure
(arguably) Artichoke Joe's
Cal Grand's overflow parking lot

I even argue there are just as many degens hanging out at AJ's and CG - they just happen to be Asian and Latino, respectively, and the rail sections aren't as big so they loiter in the Asian games and bar, respectively.

The times I have been most fearful for my safety were:

1. Getting heckled outside of CSP and being followed into the parking lot.
2. Walking to CG from the satellite parking with 1/10 of my BR.
3. Watching a fistfight in the Oaks.

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11-02-2012 , 05:28 PM

#236

callipygian

slowrolled by tpiranha!

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 19,880

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zak3nnay0

For example, M8trix, the nicest cardroom in town, doesn't allow smoking anywhere near the entrances.

You're not supposed to smoke that close to the entrance at the Oaks either, it's just not enforced.

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11-02-2012 , 11:25 PM

#237

pig4bill

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Quote:

Originally Posted by purplebliss

On the other hand, it seems there are people here basically saying "don't be paranoid u silly suburban sheltered white boy, just don't be stupid, watch your back and your risks are minimal". And they may be right.

More than likely being results oriented.

"I play there all the time and haven't been killed yet!"

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11-02-2012 , 11:26 PM

#238

LimitedHoldems

newbie

Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplebliss

I really want to play here but this scares the * out of me.

"This is the eighth robbery that has occurred in Alameda in the past 10 months and the 11th over the past two years where the victim appears to have just left the Oaks Card Club in Emeryville, or the San Pablo Casino."
http://www.alamedasun.com/index.php?...2605&Itemid=10

That's an average of 1 every two months. And some are surely not reported. Looks like there are gangs doing this consistently. Also, if you look on Yelp the latest review is of a guy who was threatened with being shot in the parking lot after he won a pot against a... well... shall we say a peculiar individual. Had to call the cops just to get out of there because security wouldn't help. Earlier on Yelp, there's someone saying their uncle was followed home, robbed and shot in the leg.

There are reports of suspicious people hanging outside and inside just to rob people.

So I find the word "Friendliest" in the title of this thread somewhat ironic.

On the other hand, it seems there are people here basically saying "don't be paranoid u silly suburban sheltered white boy, just don't be stupid, watch your back and your risks are minimal". And they may be right.

I'm still trying to make up my mind but so far by preponderance of evidence the "this place is f* dangerous" version is winning in my mind.

I am a white boy from Sonoma County. I have played at the Oaks for 10 years. I play all times of day too. Only problem I ever ran into was when I returned to my car and found it had been broken into. Luckily all that was missing was my book of Cd's and ashtray. This occurred in the back ally too.

Now I always park in the main lot and simply walk win and walk out. Never had any problems. Also valet parking is available for $2. Fwiw I tend to play 6/12 and keep a low profile.

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11-03-2012 , 04:38 AM

#239

purplebliss

banned

Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 551

Is valet parking always available?

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11-03-2012 , 05:31 PM

#240

callipygian

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Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 19,880

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplebliss

Is valet parking always available?

Closed Sunday nights, I believe. Not sure how late they're open.

Quote

11-03-2012 , 08:09 PM

#241

Captain R

Wot

Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,573

To be fair, the oaks itself is not really bad, it's the drive up San Pablo ave through Oakland where the homeless people and drug dealers hang out that I feel I'm going to get carjacked.

Quote

11-05-2012 , 03:44 PM

#242

callipygian

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Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 19,880

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain R

To be fair, the oaks itself is not really bad, it's the drive up San Pablo ave through Oakland where the homeless people and drug dealers hang out that I feel I'm going to get carjacked.

Welcome to the California Hotel, such a lovely place, such a lovely face.

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11-05-2012 , 04:06 PM

#243

callipygian

slowrolled by tpiranha!

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 19,880

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain R

To be fair, the oaks itself is not really bad, it's the drive up San Pablo ave through Oakland where the homeless people and drug dealers hang out that I feel I'm going to get carjacked.

It just occurred to me that you may drive fuether on San Pablo than you need to. If you're following the shortest route, you're probably exiting 980 on 17th and driving up SP to 40th. Instead, take 238 to 580 and exit West St., you'll only drive a few blocks on San Pablo and it's all commercial-zoned.

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11-05-2012 , 06:27 PM

#244

Captain R

Wot

Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,573

Quote:

Originally Posted by callipygian

This.

I'm not sure where 238 is, but yeah, taking 880N, 980N up to 580W looks like the right play. I generally drive all the way up San Pablo if I'm not really planning my route ahead of time.

Quote

11-05-2012 , 07:48 PM

#245

callipygian

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Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 19,880

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain R

This.

I'm not sure where 238 is, but yeah, taking 880N, 980N up to 580W looks like the right play. I generally drive all the way up San Pablo if I'm not really planning my route ahead of time.

Taking 980 to 580 will cause you to miss the Market/West offramp. 238 is in Hayward. It adds a few miles to the trip but 580 moves faster than 880 so the time is about the same.

Quote

11-05-2012 , 09:07 PM

#246

purplebliss

banned

Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 551

Why don't they have true no-limit (rather than spread limit)? Is it a licensing issue or a business decision?

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11-05-2012 , 09:27 PM

#247

chillrob

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Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 21,102

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplebliss

Why don't they have true no-limit (rather than spread limit)? Is it a licensing issue or a business decision?

Many localities in California (including, I am guessing, Alameda County) don't really allow no-limit poker as there is a maximum bet size set by law.

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11-06-2012 , 11:19 PM

#248

AlanBostick

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It's specifically an issue with the city of Emeryville, which has a $300 maximum bet size. (The Palace, in Hayward, also Alameda County, has been spreading true no-cap-buyin NLHE since dinosaurs walked the earth.)

Quote

11-07-2012 , 08:57 PM

#249

purplebliss

banned

Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 551

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanBostick

Very interesting, thank you. What's the general rational on limiting bet size by law? I'm guessing the feeling is that the common Joe the citizen will gamble away less of his money and slower if bet size is capped?

Quote

11-07-2012 , 10:40 PM

#250

chillrob

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I'm not exactly sure the reason behind it, but the places where the maximum bet sizes are common (CA, AZ, MN) are the places that still have a thriving limit holdem scene, because NL wasn't really given a chance to take over.

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