Easy solution: Players cannot buy chips from the dealer but must buy from chiprunners, BUT players can play behind with cash for one hand (and perhaps buy chips from another player at the table temporarily) while a chiprunner is called. This way the tiltbox who just dusted off chips (who is sometimes me hehe) can continue to dust off chips, and if anything, the game is only very slightly slowed down...and there is no extra delay from the fills.

PA doesn't allow "playing behind".

All comparisons are to Parx from my home.

It is, except for-
A: Even the high end of low limit limit doesn't run (15/30).
B: It is a 3 hour round trip vs 40 minutes. 150 miles of gas, vs 38.

$70 in personal time lost driving (at a 15/30 stake)
$19 in gas

Considering a solid 8 hour session, at a 12% win rate getting 29 won hands, likely 24 or so of full rake.

They would literally have to give me $4 on top of each hand won to even be remotely fiscally advantageous for me to go there.

Obviously this is highly dependent on where you live, so this is just my personal situation. People can not underestimate how much travel distance has on their room choice. Also I am not being all awesome and saying I win that 1/bb an hour. But you have to have a basis for using information to make decisions and this is pretty standard.

Yes. You can top off your stack between hands without saying a word to anyone.

I don't want that degenerate to walk to the cage thinking about if he should quit or not. I want that felting fresh in his mind when he digs into his pocket. Why would you ever want to make a fish physically get up from the table? Or sit out 3 hands?

I hit PARX last night for the first time since it opened and just have to say WOW.

Ari - you did an incredible job with the room, keep up the great work! I literally have nothing bad to say. Here's a little TR that isn't a nit-fest for those who are interested...

Arrival/Parking: Anyone who is complaining about the walk or security seriously needs to get in shape and/or grow some balls. I arrived around 8pm on a monday night, got a spot in the second row, and was in the building within about 30 seconds. There were plenty of open spaces, and even at the far end of the lot it isnt more than a 3 minute walk. I mean I know poker players arent known for being athletic or anything, but seriously a 3 minute walk at the absolute worst wont kill you! As for security, there were security SUVs driving around the lot when I came in and when I left at 10:30 and I felt perfectly safe. The only issue I could see is that the building is very dark (since it just opened) so the lot tends to be dark too, but I still felt much safer than I did at DE Park and Harrahs Chester. Once the building gets lit up it will be just fine.

Speaking of the building - the ONLY negative I can see is that the poker room is NOT in the main Parx casino, its in Parx East (even though its on the west side, lol...) which has some tables sure... but its defintiely not easy for any casual gamblers to find, ie. less fish. Even within Parx East you have to go up to the second floor to get to the room, so I can't see there being very many casual gamblers who wander over to try out some poker. I guess it's still fine for local cardplayers and all, but still... that will make the games tougher.

Once inside I was completely wow'ed by the room itself. Some of the complaints have been about the lighting - the lighting is just fine. The room has a lot of darker red to it all over, so it doesn't seem as bright as the Borgata. Personally I like that - I feel blinded anytime I play at the Borgata and everything is just so... BLAH sand colored. Parx with its red room feels a lot more like a card room with personality.

8pm on a Monday night and the wait for $1/2 was about 30 deep, but I only waited about 15 minutes to get a seat, so they are efficient. Much better than the Harrah's first week (where I waited up to an hour). Also once the initial hype slows down I'm sure you will be able to get a seat within minutes. They were spreading plenty of other games too, and willing to start these games up over yet another $1/2 table, so you variety nits will be happy. Anyone complaining about them not starting a game up, I would suggest PUTTING YOUR NAME ON THE INTEREST LIST. These other games are only going to run if people are there to play them, and sitting at another game waiting for the list to grow is NOT the way to get the game started. They seemed perfectly willing to open up a random Omaha game shorthanded if everyone was willing.

Cashiers cage was a little slow, but it looked like a new girl was slowing things down... shouldnt be a problem once things get on a roll. You do have to go to the cage or a get a chip runner rather than get chips at the table, but the couple people at my table who needed a runner just told the dealer, a runner was there within a minute and they were back in the game. Missed all of 1-2 hands at MOST, so again, anyone complaining is truly a nit.

Dealers were VERY good compared to the Harrah's opening, only 1 slower dealer at my table during my 3 hours, so definitely no complaints. Very personable and nice, and once the few newbies get the jitters out they will be just fine.

Waitresses are SMOKING HOT. LOVE the outfits and top notch quality! Also very nice girls and good service. Maybe a little slow at times, but I think it was because it was during monday night football and more than a few people were drinking. The girls did all that they could though, if anything they just need maybe 1 more waitress during busier drinking nights is all.

I had no problems with the tables unlike what others have mentioned. We were 10 handed all night and everyone seemed to fit comfortably. Maybe it was just my table but the shuffle deck was flush with the table and everything ran smoothly. Yeah sure if you are a larger person you might have an issue squeezing into the table, but again... I'd imagine that is to be expected lol. Spacing was perfect, plenty of room to walk around, no bumping.

Oh and lastly - I had no issues with the smoking at the bar. I'm not a smoker by any means, but I know the smell when there is one and definitely didnt notice anything other than someone at the table coming back from their smoke break smelling like smoke... but nothing you can do about that even if you kick them outside. I was second row in from the row closest to the bar too.

Overall a GREAT ROOM and GREAT experience, can't wait to go back. Definitely should be the premier card room in PA and right up there with the Borgata. Once they start running some SitnGos and tourneys I will probably lean towards Parx over Borgata!!

Yes, so long as you do it before the next hand is dealt. Chips can't be added while the cards are being dealt and the next hand has started.

Lee

Ummm.... to keep the game moving along?

Seriously, it's not that big of a deal. Even if the donk does leave, there are 186 more names on the list. And, eventually, they will all go busto.

Keep dealing hands - that's how you make $$$.

(from my post on Wednesday) Just an update here, I am pretty sure the lights were made brighter after opening day. I was there this weekend and found the lighting to be totally comfortable.

They just told all the dealers no flop no drop. Thank you Ari!

Really? AWESOME!!!

Thank you Ari for caring about the players and removing the single biggest negative about the room.

Other than the fact that we need about 30 more tables to open???

Awesome. Thank you.

Now, they need to make the rake the same as Atlantic City, 10% up to $4, and it's the best card room in the country.

Don't forget about that evil BBJ drop in AC - you're paying $5 rake.

If they time charge the 2/5, then you're on par. All the other games are the same as AC, dollar wise going down the hole.

Well, except the 8/16, since that is 5%, so you could save a few $$$'s there. But, I wouldn't want to play in that game if every hand wasn't max raked

But for the net-drop - it's pretty much the same as AC.

So awesome to see that Ari is listening to the players. Ari, you are a smart man and a really good card room manager from what I have seen. Keep up the fantastic work!

I am very impressed so far by ari's willingness to listen, but please give free drinks to players and allow rebuys at the table since a fish might just leave after busting.

Does the 15/30 run there everyday or just on weekends? Thinking of driving up on Friday to see the new room.

It has run every day since opening.

Does anyone know if there is an easy way to get from Philadelphia to PARX via public transit? Or does PARX run any buses from the train stations or anywhere else? I don't have a car, but I'd love to get up there and play in the new room.

OK I couldn't wait for the expansion so I had a few hours to spare.My very first impression was damn the room is dark,big spacious but way too dark.
The front desk was fast and efficient before sitting I walked the room to scope the games.If I may make a suggestion to color code the game plates on the table (like they do on table games)to know quickly what game is being played.
The tables playing 10 handed are cramped.A long 10 or 12 hr. session would take its toll.Again the tables were way under lite.
The room had a positive vibe to it.People seemed happy to have a place to play.
Didn't have that I want to rip your face off feel I got from the Taj lol
Smoking area w as a non-issue since many were not using it.Tho I did see some race track people there so the only cross-over business from the track will be smokers running up to smoke.
Overall I see a bright(hopefully brighter) future for the room.
On a game selection note they had mostly NL 1/2 (about 10 tables) allitle 2/5(2 tables) 1 8-16 limit and a 4-8 o8 with a list.A 15/30 interest list (3 names) and 1/2 plo (2names) this was at 4 pm.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...&postcount=705

Thanx. What time does the game usually get off around?

Last Friday it started around 1. No $ though, everyone's solid.

Just got back from Parx...and WOW!! Unfortunately I did not get a chance to play (was there for an interview, then had to leave for a md appt), but from what I saw and heard...I was very impressed.

I saw a few dealers from AC and a floor-person I know, so it was nice to see some familiar faces. I heard that the "no drop-no flop" policy had been implemented and immediately thought of how happy everyone here would be...lol!!

I loved the colors and the lighting. It really gives it a "comfy" sort of feel. Such an opposite feel to the Borgata - which I welcome. I always feel Borgata is just too bright.

I really wish I had the time to play but I will definitely be back...soon!! I did however have time to use a portion of my free $75 slot dollars to earn myself $140! Luvs free money!!

Anyone in the room that can give an update of what's running?