TR Parx 2/7/11
Players who live close to this room are lucky indeed
I had a meeting in the northern Philadelphia area this morning and thought I'd stop by Parx. I was hoping to say hello to Ari, but missed him. Some 2 plus 2'ers may know that most of my poker hours are logged at DP where BTW, during the week the game is a little more nitty and maybe a little harder to beat because the level of play may be better within the group of regs playing during the weekdays. I attribute that to the distance from DP to Baltimore, where most of the casual weekend players drive from.
At parx I played 1/2 at a relatively soft table, but was unable to take advantage, so I won't write about wins or loses. Safe to say, it was not a winning session. blah,blah blah,whine...... but I was ahead when the money got in, but still that's poker. Been on a cooler lately, but that's another story.
I might be a little biased as I respect the management of this room immensely. I'm very partial to men/women/managers who respond to their customers and in this case, the poker community's needs. This room is managed efficiently . It's obvious that they have gone out of their way to improve the room and therefore, options that we have within the Mid Atlantic region. I like innovation and people who think and act accordingly, even if they have to stick their neck out a little. I like alternative games other than Hold em, a full room and staff that understands that we pay our way through the rake and we should be treated as the paying customers that we are. And therefore, we should be listened to and even catered to on a certain level. Many rooms are not run this way and appear to be managed as the profit centers that they ultimately are. Though actions which create profits today, if not well considered, may create negative revenue in the future. I've said before that Parx has, IMO the potential to be a "world class poker room" and my visit today did nothing to dissuade me from that belief. Sure, I noticed a pot hole or two in the parking lot, but I noticed more than one of those on my trip up I-95 too. I took special interest in the restrooms (don't get any ideas guys) because I read that they weren't kept clean. But, they were sparkling clean and modern. There was not a hint of smoke, but looking at the bar area, which I was close to, there were never more than five or six guys puffing on them. The parking situation seemed excellent. Once in the door, the signing was clear and the room was staffed sufficiently. It's a modern facility unlike many rooms located within the horse racing industry's often older structures. It takes me much longer to get from my car to the poker room at most AC venues and during daylight, security was clearly present at Parx.
This room has a welcoming, new, clean atmosphere with competent seating staff and an accommodating floor. I'm not crazy about the chips or even the 2 dollar chips playing in a 1/2 game, but that's such a minor issue it's not hardly worth mentioning. I'm a shuffler and these chips are not shuffle friendly. I also wish that cash could play behind, but the chip carts were there in a flash when called for.The waitress staff were fast and pretty, dressed the way a guy likes them to dress. Did I say pretty? That might be a bit understated
They had a awesome group of games available, including multiple level limit games, 4/8 Omaha 08, 1/2 and 2/5 all at noon on a Monday, which is a slow day and traditionally slow time. The dealers were excellent to a person. Sure, I'd have enjoyed the visit more if I won, but I'm glad I went. Honestly, I simply don't see the reason to ever visit AC again, unless I want to go to a show or particular tournament. Vegas offers me little more in poker, but does have pretty lights, a strip and lots of hookers, with a pretend volcano and ship to ship battles. I can get that at the movies. I understand that Parx, with that large room, will have tournaments in the near future and I've heard a rumor that they plan a special "classic" style tournament in early fall.
Here's the key to this room IMO...again. They have a proactive manager who doesn't mind shouldering responsibility and taking personal accountability for the product that's produced. Not many mangers operate that way. Too many are bullied into submission by their boss's who have too small a handle (or can't comprehend the poker player) on what poker guys are looking for in a poker room. And you don't have to look much further than Chester to see a good example of that scenario played out. I know it's better now, but it's no Parx and never will be, simply because of the organization and their corporate take on poker in general. Some players may disagree with me, but I believe that Parx will one day rule the mid Atlantic poker community. With their easy location, proximity to very large population base's including NYC and Philadelphia, coupled with their management who know what we want, they certainly have that goal within their grasp in the next few years. These guys are not your everyday suit. They play the game too. Who better than the know what a poker player wants than a smart poker player. Playing should be a prerequisite to any person being promoted into a position which burdens the responsibly of success. Visiting Parx, it's hard to imagine that this was the last Philadelphia area room to open. They are light years ahead of some of their counterparts that seem hand cuffed by regulatory bodies, who simply are more interested in justifying their existence than offering a pleasant and easy place for players to go and enjoy themselves. Some have understaffed cages, schedule too few on dealers causing problems when the room is unexpectedly busy. Corporations are all about planning....they think planning is the bible and they want staff planned to the person. And then it's just oops. Tables can't be spread until the next shift arrives. There are rooms run solely for the profit of the corporation in Pennsylvania and in West Virginia by a certain very large casino management group. Penn National is one that doesn't care about us. Harrah's, on a different level, seems to operate likewise. They don't appear to care at all about their reputation or the desires of their consumers. They think poker players are little more than degens and they run their rooms accordingly. Parx is NOT one of those places. BTW, I like the nine handed game much more than I expected to. I do, hwoever, wish the thrid man walking rule was enforced better. there is a third man walking rule....right? As I sat in seat five, I was awarded two cup holders.
I had planned a valentines weekend with my wife at the Borgata, but maybe because I post too much about other newer rooms much closer to me, I don't feel welcome there and apparently I am not poker rated nor being offered a poker rate for a room. Don't think for a minute that one won't stick with me. . I'm five miles from Delaware Park which has become my home base. I respect those guys to a person too. I want to visit Parx more, because if nothing else, I really try to support the rooms that support the player and this room rates high on that list. The only regret (except the lighter wallet) was that I didn't see Ari to tell him what a great job he's doing with Parx. Maybe if someone reads this, they can pass that on to him. I'll still visit AC's Borgata and Taj on occasion, but I just don't know what would get me there short of the beach or my wife. If it's poker I want, Parx is half the distance to AC and I can almost throw a rock to Delaware Park. What more do I need?.
Last edited by layemdown; 02-08-2011 at 12:39 AM.
(true story).
