IMO, there is no such thing as "the way the game is normally played." It depends on:

• min and max buy-in at a particular venue for that game
• the specific players at the table and how they play
• how much each player buys in for

For example, you could have two different 1/3 tables at THR (buy-in is 100 min, 300 max), and one table has mostly 100 buy-ins and another table has mostly 300 buy-ins, then the two tables will likely play very different. Obviously the specific players themselves make a big difference.

When I first started playing at THR, I played 5/10 that had a max 100 buy-in. That game played a lot like 1/3 does today with a 300 max buy-in, and obviously not anything like the current 5/10 games plays today.

Also, there is a huge variation depending the specific personalities involved, and it often only takes one or two aggressive players to create a lot of action. But if there are some people at the table who like to slow-play and trap a lot, then that will cool off the action in many cases.

I like to play at tables where players are drinking alcohol, as I think that loosens things up most times. Also nice is to have pimps, drug dealers, and rich tourists. About a year ago (or maybe it was two years ago), Cliff Lee was in the room playing 2/5 right after he signed a 5 year $120 million contract with the Phillies. Not sure how that worked out for the other players.

re: BBJ promotion pool

I received an e-mail response today from Keith Hicks of the NIGC, inviting me to phone him about my complaint, which I did.

He was very nice and willing to review the issue and investigate. As a first step, he is forwarding my complaint to the Seminole Tribal Gaming Commission in Hollywood. Although the Seminole tribe has not been granted a Certificate of Self-Regulation (confirmed), Keith said that he needs to process the complaint through the TGC first, to give them a chance to address the issue.

I expect to be contacted by Edward Jinkins of the TGC in short order, and will report here again.

I'd be happy to receive PMs which outline specific possible violations of BBJ regulations (i.e., examples from past promotions) during the past year, which might include:

1. Refusal or avoidance by room personnel to disclose promotional fund pool balances.

2. Lack of or incomplete printed notice of monthly promotion rules.

3. Non-segregation of promotional pool.

4. Lack of daily notice of promotion pool balance.

5. Violations of printed monthly promotion rules.

Also, feel free to pm other incidents which may be in violation of NIGC regulations.

One day about a month ago, the Omaha BBJ was posted as $5k less than it was the day before. Supervisor's response when questioned about it: "You're not going to like the answer... I don't know. We have no control over that. They just post it."

Standard.

Can't they slowly morph the 1/2 into a real game or something? Like, make the buyin 50/120 for the next 2 years before raising it to 60/150. If people complain, you just say "really? $10???"

I played the 1/2 while waiting for PLO to go twice in the last two weeks, its table selection that makes the difference. Was at tables that blew chunks moved and found tables that were very active. I haven't played the 1/3 in since 2010 it was nit city with few exceptions back then. 2/5 was decent also last two weeks the little I played, I just hate playing NL so I would rather sit in the 1/2 have fun and not get hurt.

1/2 mandatory button 5 PLO has been great, as is the 2/5/10, mostly the same people. Swingy and gambley, but so much bad going on in it.

I'll play limit 5/10+ he/mix whatever, as I said when we ran the HORSE games, we have start it small and try to build a game over time. Its the only way to get that room to make something like that a regular game. That or import 20 Asian degens from LA.

I would be up for 10-20 or 20-40 Limit or MIX (like HOE) on Tuesdays.

the 10-20 Omaha HL runs this day usually. Maybe some of those regs would play

Cheers.

How's the action been since 1/1 ? Back to the usual regs plus a few others ? Poker economy there ever shrinking, imo. Same stable of players, all ultimately just ensuring the rake gets paid. Room has just seemed .... stale to me.

I can't play on Tuesdays as I have a home game that night each week and if I don't show up the other players won't be able to pay their mortgages.

I could probably only do it on a weekend as it's a drive for me.

From my experience, it consistently has the tightest 2/5 and 1/3 games I have seen in Florida. Ofcourse 1/2 is unplayable with the low buyin.

Will they deal a game of open face Chinese? Any interest? $2-$5 a point?

Sure interested, but why would they ever deal this, and why would we want them too?

This is a game to play 2-4 handed self dealt.

Confirmed

Side note, is there still a crazy overlay on the Friday tournaments, or did they finally wise up and lower the guarantee?

I probably have not looked hard enough back into this thread, but may I get an up to date min/max buy-in for the 1/3 game?

20k is still guarantee but the last couple of weeks there hasn't been an overlay I don't think.

THR NLHE min./max. buy ins

1/2 - 40 min. 100 max.
1/3 - 100 min. 300 max.
2/5 - 200 min. 1,000 max.
5/10 - 500 min. 5,000 max.

Don't up pose anyone heads to the hard rock from the sand key/Clearwater beach area? On holiday here but lost my wallet with my drivers licence before coming out fml.

Thanks, Bird.

Friday tournament has been $20k for a long time and rarely has an overlay.

Need to go to isle or Gulf Stream for this

They've had it at Bestbet in Jax, too. Don't know if it's a regular thing or not; I was there during a tournament series. But I agree with the question of why pay a rake for this game.

All interesting developments - thanks for keeping us (who care) updated.

I'd be down for trying to get a 10/20ish limit mix going again somewhere in town. I think HR would be a good choice as you'd be more likely to have some higher stakes players sit in for a while to blow off some steam which is usually good for juicing up the action. I just wouldn't be able to get down there until 7:30 or 8 on a weeknight. Also probably best not to try to run it on the same night as the 10/20. LO8 since those games would likely cannibalize each other.

What's the usual buy in for the 10/20 lo8 and how many ppl do you usually get?

I'd be down for a mix game of like 5-10 to 10-20. Id prefer either horse or hose but would be open for a lot of other options.

Min. buy in is $200 for the 10/20 hi lo. Average buy in is probably $400 or $500. Tuesdays have still been decent, but we're working on getting back to having it even more solid, hopefully back to the must-move salad days. Usually a full table with at least a few on the list, starting around 2-3 pm. It also runs Fridays.