Just curious - does anyone else worry about counterfeit bills in these clubs?

I never see anyone check whether the bills are legit and money seems to pass around each and every way imaginable.

As games get bigger and bigger, isn't it matter of time before something scandalous take place?

Great point! Portland is notorious for counterfeiting there are news articles about Asian gangs That do it.
They could get bill Machines but they don’t really care in Oregon in general many ways I think they ultimately try to keep things on the low and not too popular but expect to see rampant favoritism rulings etc and folding out of turn in big pots alike. While I love the Meadows completely I hate how awful the floor men always are. Also I’d watch getting stolen from by dealers “making change” or raking twice in any game environment like this inherently but the smaller Oregon games Medford etc especially where some clubs really seem to exploit. Also you can ask for 20s usually

What is a "double board bomb pot"?

Everyone puts out a set amount (such as five bucks) and the money is collected into the pot.

Hole cards are dealt (Omaha is very popular so you'd get four cards).

No betting at this time - two separate flops are dealt out.

Betting now starts with the SB position. Regular process for the Turn and the River.

Each board has a winner.

Assuming the “dealer” chose 2 winners.

You can actually choose the 1 winner version.

I call that version, "Highest of the High." And say there is only one winner.

Pac West Classic is cancelled.

Anybody played at "The Game"? Considering switching it up from Meadows to check out someplace new.

Do they get cash going on weekday nights?

I used to play there before COVID. They definitely had a steady cash games.

Not sure I care much for Meadows anymore. In the old place, the floor seems to keep the place more under control. At the new place, it seems to be anything goes. Not sure if I like such environment in what is already a less-than-secure club setup.

Interesting. I haven't had any issues at Meadows yet, but I can see the potential conflict of interest given the casual atmosphere and super reg-heavy crowd mix.

Yeah I recently started playing at The Game. It's a decent but small room. Some good action for sure and have yet to see it lacking games.

My main issue is there are a lot of people crammed in a small space when they get busy, and quite a few of the folks there have a BIG issue wearing their masks properly/at all, and it is rarely enforced. Felt like I was in a super spreader room when I was there last night. People walking in with no masks, people wearing them below the nose, below the chin (never understood that one), taking them off to chat, etc.

LOL, if someone has the Delta in The Game it's not going to matter if people are wearing their crappy cloth masks correctly. You're sitting multiple hours in a small room, elbow to elbow, sharing cards, sharing chips, etc. If you're younger, vaxxed and healthy it's still probably +EV to play. The games are usually good!

Actually it matters tremendously if people are wearing masks, and wearing them properly, when 10-50 people are gathering in a smallish indoor space.

The touching chips and cards doesn't matter at all, we know the virus doesn't transmit that way.

Does 2/5 or 5/5 ever run anywhere in Portland? Never see anyone on the list at Meadows and other places only seem to spread 1/2 1/1. I guess the 1/3 with a 600cap and bomb pots basically plays the same as a 2/5?

The Game and Final Table run something close to it. Check NW Poker Facebook group for more details.

But like I mentioned before, these are clubs not casinos. I am still a bit wary playing too big, especially when no one seems to even bother checking whether the bills are real.

Thanks, I check that group. I was assuming that just asking for cash outs in 20s would work if I thought something was sketchy? Then again maybe I should just stick with the unraked 1/2 and 1/3.

I played a couple times at The Game a few weeks ago.

The buy-in structure is pretty big compared to the blinds. To my pleasant surprise, the games play bigger than you would think.

The 1/3 there had a $1k max.

I found that the venue itself is a bit run down -- the cards and chips could use some refreshing, to say nothing of the motley collection of old computer chairs they're using at the tables.

The room had great action and attentive drink service, though. When you walk in and take a look around, you'd probably expect a bunch of 1/1 games with OMCs perusing the racing forms, but actually there's significant action.

I don't know the situation where you play, but in Seattle poker tournaments are dead. So when I went to Portland on saturday i took the opportunity to check it out. I went to Final Table and it was $40 + $20 club fee + $20 add-on + $20 rebuy. No rake. We got three tables going. Four paid. First was $980.
Shout out to Mary in seat 1. In her 70s I'd guess. She played tight all night and finally won a hand with J9. She laughed at the guy, "You fold 69?" So savage.
Shout out to Dragon in seat 2. He showed up as late as possible and immediately made a $20 last longer bet with me, the chip leader. Sure dude. Then he offered the whole table drinks. I won't allow that. I hand out gum.
I raise to 6900 and Mary cracks the hell up.
Lady on my left nitrolls Dragon hard with KK>AQ on a Q high flop. She even throws in a "F it, I call." I win the last longer.
The way they do seat changes is magnificent. You just look up at the TV and it tells you where to go. If anyone has a reason why every tournament should not use this system I'd like to hear it.
The rebuy chips took some getting used to. Apparently when you rebuy they give you an octagon chip. It looks like a chip protector or a token but it's actually part of your stack, worth 5000. The reason they do that is to verify the till at the end of the tournament. I would actually like to see those numbers because when I tried to add-on at the break, there was some confusion about my total buy-in. Just be transparent and don't invite questions.
I won't give the unpaid dealers too much grief, but I understand the players' frustration. Mistakes will happen. It's part of the game.
The final table was a pretty mild affair. One guy was the "No bubble, no chop," guy and we ended up getting heads up. I didn't realize he was such a villain in that place. He was not used to playing heads up. He never 3-bet. He limped AA. Just weird poker. We went back and forth for about an hour. Blinds went up really slow.
Then I open QT and flop A 3 8. He donk shoves 255k into 150k. So I'm just considering my options. I turn my hand over and he gets all pissy. He wants to kill my hand. I guess that means he does not have a set, but who knows! Some people are just extremely riverphobic.
Anyway, we get the only correct ruling. Floorman refuses to kill my hand so then he calls the clock. Now I have to win.

CALL! And he shows A 2
Turn: 3
River: 5

gg

So that's it. It was 5 hours of good fun.
I went back on Sunday and won again (5 tables, 7 hours) but that's a story for another time.
I didn't play a single hand of cash. I didn't get AA or KK all weekend. Maybe that's how you do it. Don't know. I think I like Portland now.

Wait, so you showed your QT to get a read on whether your opponent has a set, which barely makes a difference in the spot?

I've been really happy with the action in Portland. Yes, the scene is reg-heavy, but the regs are generally action players which makes for some exciting games. I do wish Meadows was in a bit of a better area and that the room was a little nicer, but I've seen worse.

No, not looking for a read. But when he DID get all pissy I was confused. Turned out to just be riverphobia.

So what was your purpose of flipping over your cards? It’s pretty tilting to see donkament players doing these pointless things.

Doesn’t tilt me at all.
In fact I encourage it!

Is there a 20/40 or similar stakes limit game in the Portland area? My understanding was that Frontier in Washington was the only game of this nature anyone know?

Haven't seen a game like that spread in the rooms I visit in Portland proper. Guessing WA or an Indian casino is your best bet, though I don't know much about those.