Flunked Econ 101?

Or just not big on reading comprehension?

I think that more people are likely to go to a poker room after distancing, mask and eating restrictions are lifted in the county or state. If enough additional tables aren't added, wait times could increase.

There's two sets of restrictions being lifted or loosened this week, some go into effect today, and the Cal OHSA guidelines are expected to go into effect on Thursday.

Any updates on the number of tables at the Ol Oaks?

Not much has changed as yet at the Oaks. Seven tables are in use for poker (and some tables on the Asian side as well) Poker play is eight-handed, with plexiglass partitions between players. Players must be masked while inside, and undergo a non-contact body temperature check on entry. There is no food or beverage service; the hofbrau and bar remain closed.

The staff seems to have expanded, though: I saw some familiar faces yesterdy whom I hadn't seen since before covid.

Game play remains as it has been recently: long waits for seats during peak hours, and games that seem off the hook. 1-2-3 and 2-3-5 NL, and 3-6 and 6-12 limit holdem. No Omaha as yet, and no big 30-60 limit game.

Hmm maybe they’re just taking a while to figure it out. Thank you for the update.

I went to the Oaks on Friday afternoon. Plexiglass partitions are down and tables are nine-handed. But there are still only seven tables being used, masks are still required for everyone, there remains a non-contact temperature test at the door, and the restaurant remains closed.

I think it’s going to be a while before the Oaks gets back to the fun, poppin place that it was. I think most of their staff is still on unemployment, so we all need to be patient and respect those still on unemployment.

I’ll probably be dead before then.

I don’t know what to tell you, man. You’re just not that important. Those on unemployment have probably suffered more than any of us.

Listen here, young man. I’m going to try to be respectful because I’m not sure what the rules of this site are. And then I’m probably done with this site. Don’t talk to me about suffering. My wife left and my grown children won’t talk to me. The Oaks was the one place I went to have a good time, whether it was to watch a game, grab a drink or bite to eat, or play in a tourney. I’m done talking to you. I know half the staff, and they’re awesome people. With all due respect, the new generation is ruining everything. When the Oaks gets back to being the Oaks we all knew and loved, I hope I don’t see you there.

the Above is nominated for Post Of The Month

The more I think about it, the more I kinda see what he is sayinc

Seems to me like the Oak's Card Room is alive and well. They still don't have food (other than a sub-par food truck that's only there sometimes, though there's plenty of restaurants within walking distance). There are no promotions other than the BBJ (Lucky Chances still has the best high-hand rewards I've seen anywhere). They still require masks and a temperature check. But...


They have some of the best, most action-filled games I've seen anywhere in the Bay Area. Seriously, this place is my new favorite card room. And all you people in hoodies not talking/berating the spots stop it. You want those people in the games, make them feel welcome.

I don't care about the food. But I really wish they would/could reopen the bar -- not because I want to drink there, but because fun players have even more fun when they can drink.

There's the liquor store right next door, but it probably is a pain since you can't drink at the tables.


I avoided Oaks for a bit cause everyone told me it was in a sketchy neighborhood. Idk if it's just how bad downtown SF has gotten or if Emeryville has been semi-gentrified, but with all the food courts around it doesn't seem that bad. I wouldn't go down a dark path off the main boulevards, but walking around it seems not too bad.

Edit: NVM looked up crime stats and it's #1 in California. No more walking around the area for me lmao https://www.covesmart.com/blog/most-...ornia-in-2020/

What's new at the Oaks? How many tables are in use now?

I was there about 2 months back on a Saturday night.
They had a decent number of tables going overall, maybe 10? Biggest game was 2/3/5 and they had maybe 4 or 5 tables which dwindled down to about 2 around 1a.m.

This was my first and only time there so not sure what's typical.

I haven't been since the end of October (covid transmissivity had been up), but the last time I was there, they were spreading *ten* tables of poker. Temperature check at the single entrance; all players must be masked; no food at the table; drinks must be covered; the restaurant and bar remain closed; no tournaments.

Transmissivity has come down again, and I expect to be there tomorrow afternoon.

If there's no more 30 the. What do you even do there, and where do you play MSLHE (I heard Bay10 is also comotose).? We knew each other back in the Oaks 30 and I remember our mutual bemoaning of the rising tide of NLHE (which neither of us could play very well). Just curious...

Looks like I missed the boat on this, and I apologize. Do you know what the update is?

Anyone else find it annoying that every 2/3/5 game runs with the winner straddle on these days? I think it forces you to play a much tighter game than I'd like preflop. Opening 40% of hands from the button when the straddle is on the CO is punting for example now. Just makes for more boring poker.

It's not mandatory is it? Last time I played it wasn't.

It's not but if you don't put it on after you win a hand someone will invariably straddle to "keep it going". Not to mention the sideeyes you'll get for not playing along.

Does anyone have an update on the Oaks?

Shame to think about how much money the owners have been missing out on, how many employees have been out of work, and how much fun used to be available for customers + players (including myself)!

Wait, we are supposed to play tighter in a game with four blinds than we are in one with three? How does that work again?

</snark>

Seriously, the Oaks' 2-3-5 with winner straddle to 10 is a terrific game. It is effectively a 5-10 game but with more dead money in the pot. A particular sometime-2p2er who has a reputation as a poker author, coach, and, now, vlogger whose name I won't mention except to say that it rhymes with Mommy Crangelo told me recently that he thinks it is an awesome game and is playing it several days a week.

Yeah, you tighten up when you are in the button when the CO straddles. But what do you suppose this does to lowjack or hijack opening ranges?

I will say that I disapprove of the recent trend for the 1-2-3 game to also play with a winner straddle. Even though I think it is basically a good thing when the players in the biggest game in the room want to play bigger, I also think that making the smallest game in the room play bigger hurts the small fry, on whom the poker economy rests.