If any of you were curious what Raye did before joining the gaming industry:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3985235/

Funny.

Per Bravo App there are currently more games running at SH than Chester... 7-5.

And now there are twice as many tables at Harrah's, 2-1. Interesting, but I don't think you can infer a pattern with only two data points. Sugarhouse is still new and exciting and that's going to skew the numbers. Wait till things settle down in a month or two and we'll see where things stand.

I think SH will definitely take some business from Parx and Harrah's, but I don't think it will be the disaster for them that a few people on here have predicted. I think most of the Delaware/Chester county (and other points west) players will continue to play at Harrah's instead of driving into the city. Likewise, most of the players closer to Parx will continue to play there. While SH is now closer for Camden County players, for a large part of SJ it's still easier to just go across the Barry bridge to Chester, and I suspect for Burlington Co players it's probably easier to go across the Tac-Pal to Parx. I think for recreational players the main factor in choosing where to play will be how easy it is to get to the room.

Now, saying all this, I admit I'm no expert when it comes to demographics, the gaming industry, or the mind of the average poker player, so I guess we'll just see.

<mod note: in response to review from banned user>

I think you'll see a TON of turnover in the workforce over the first 3 or 4 months as the worst people get weeded out and word gets around that it's a good place to work. Harrah's had the same initial problems IIRC.

In a way, it's nice that we can have this 14-18 months in the temporary room to build a proper staff and get people up to speed. That way when the new room is done it can be made into a top notch operation right away. Looking forward to my first session at SH likely tonight or Friday.

Let's get the Midnight Madness tournies up and running y'all! I want to see some chaos!

Top 10 Reasons SugarHouse is the best casino in the area (observations following opening day play):

10. Absolutely beautiful room, futuristic looking tables, bright shiny chips and cards (didn't have to listen to guys cheering on a horse at some track in Topeka)

9. We were greeted by applauding dealers and management that really seemed happy to have us there (unlike Parx where they act like they're doing YOU a favor allowing you to sit)

8. Chargers in cool little cubbies (1/2 the ones at Parx were not working on Saturday night)

7. Hot looking cocktail servers in little black dresses (Remember when Parx had these? And who told these girls that big giant librarian glasses are attractive? As for Harrah's...well let's just be nice and say looks and physique probably weren't part of the job requirements)

6. $2 Drinks!!!!! We spend enough at the tables, isn't it nice not be gouged for a drink as well?

5. Food and valet service via your table, and no food items over $8.95!

4. You get a nice healthy walk to use the Men's room and they don't smell as bad as Parx (which gives the bus terminal a run for its money).

3. Great variety of games at all different limits. Give the new dealers a break, they'll learn.

2. Raye Ramsey!!! Meet her and you'll know why!

And the Number 1 Greatest Thing (so far) about the SugarHouse Poker Room is...............
NO STINKIN' JETS, GIANTS, YANKEES fans!! It's Philly all the way baby!!

i second the Philly sports teams

when you go to Delaware Park, there are always Baltimore/Wash, D.C. fans

likewise at Parx or A.C. for the NYC sports teams

anyway, this room sounds like it is off to a good start

YouFold2Me - Thank-you for your post. I have spoken to our director of Security and we are working on a solution. We are sorry for your inconvenience. Raye

Hi Raye, Congrats and well done the room looks good. I was a borgata regular and happy to see you have things in hand. The room was better then I expected. I loved the table and the chairs the only issue was the charging box. Being relatively tall it made it a little difficult to get comfortable, I saw someone in an earlier post mention the same thing. If the wires were there without the box I believe it would give the same desired effect without being uncomfortable. Maybe there can be a simple piece of velcro they can be wrapped and secured in so when not in use they are not dangling and an eye sore to the room. I don't believe it would be inconvenient to have ones phone on there lap as everyone has it close by as is anyway. Love the straddle really hope that sticks and I am take it or leave it with the bbj. Will be back this week multiple times. See you then!

I thought the same thing about the charging box at first too. However, once I lowered my seat I didn't even notice it anymore.

Maybe all the extra security guards could be assigned to keep out anyone wearing a NY team cap or shirt.

Maybe they already are. Maybe that's why you haven't seen any.

Good plan. Of course, it is fun to watch the Eagles whup the Giants on the tube (forget the other sports for now). I watched the Eagles beat the Giants last year at MetLife when Foles came into relieve Vick and took over the team. I was sitting at a poker table in Las Vegas, and it sure was fun (there were two guys wearing Giant jerseys at my table). I loved that Eli turned it over like 2-3 times, love it. Of course, the first thing a Giant fan will say is "Where's your Lombardi?" Point taken, but beating the Giants still feels fine.

Judging by the photos, the place looks great. And the fact it's not part of the casino, I like that actually. Now, all I want is a 2-3 hour heater when I get there.

Do not like the Mississippi straddle. If I have a frequent straddler to my right and my late position becomes first to act preflop, then I will either need a seat change, a game change, or a casino change.

I really, really like the Mississippi straddle and hope it stays. I also vote no bad beat jackpot, would rather just have the $1.

Played 1/2 this evening, my table was a lot of fun. Few of the dealers were meh but plenty of good ones too. Love the new chips, new tables, very nice.

+1

I guess I understand that you want to be different, but there's a reason other rooms don't have it.. most people don't like it.

Please keep the Mississippi straddle.

it's not a mississippi straddle. a mississippi straddle gives priority in the other direction, from the straddle back to utg.

the straddle at sugarhouse gives priority to utg, around back to straddle if i heard the rules correctly.

utg straddles are great for the game. mississippi straddles are ok, they bring more action. there is a theory that they allow the bad players to play better out of the blinds ... they are less likely to limp if they expect action behind them, but more likely to call a raise OOP if they were closing the action and not first to act.

Hi Raye, et. al. -

I'm a 2/5 player and plan to be a reg at Sugar House. I've been there once so far. Here are my first impressions/opinions:

- The room is great! I'm thankful that we finally have poker right here in Philly. Congratulations, I wish you all the success in the world. It was very nice to see so many familiar, competent, faces amongst the floor and dealer staff, you've put a solid team together.

- I vote AGAINST a BBJ/promotions $1 rake. I'd rather keep that money on the table. I don't think you'll need it for business as long as you have a well run room. Hopefully, the location will take care of generating business.

- I *love* the mississippi straddle option. Anything to allow for more action is a good thing.

- The waitstaff and food options are great! I didn't get anything to eat my first visit, but had a couple of cups of the best poker room coffee I've ever had.

- I understand that you have some newly trained dealers that are still learning the ropes, that's fine, as long as they continue to improve. Those that don't should be let go in lieu of more proficient dealers.

- At the risk of restating the obvious, it's important to have a strong security presence in the room and in the area between the room and the rear parking lot(s). Any serious security issues would have an extremely negative effect as unfortunately there is a preconceived notion of Sugar House being unsafe. We can help reverse this prejudice by positive word of mouth amongst the poker community. I invite us all to be a part of this solution.

-RJ

Is running it twice allowed for 2/5 NL/plo and higher?

For all those opposed to the bbj/promo drop (and fundamentally I include myself) I would reconsider. Low rake attracts players who are aware of the rake promos attract rec players who don't realize they are just getting their own money back. If you want a room full of regs/regfish/grinders low rake is fine. If you want to reach further into the rec player market I think you need the promos.

Parx was giving away 1k per hr this week and they had 40+ games going.

I think the bbj/promo drop has become neccessary evil.

As for Tourneys I would love if your Tourneys didn't have rebuys. Tourneys used to be a way to attract players who would also end up playing cash games. Rebuys kill that.

I really like that room management is soliciting input.

i don't want to derail this thread

but partaking in the Mississippi straddle is a bad play and you should want to play with people who play bad

Last night it was back to being a Mississippi straddle (which cost me a $20 prop bet), who knows what it'll be tonight.

FWIW I love the straddle.

One thing that needs to be improved is dealers clearing their Bravos as people leave. I feel like a bit of a dick walking around and doing it for myself, but if I don't my name never gets called.

Your point is well taken, however I'm hopeful that the location and adjoining house games casino are sufficient to attract rec players. We had several of these players joining us Saturday night. Getting rec players w/o additional BBJ/promo drop would be the best scenario IMHO.

-RJ

On opening day, straddle priority started with button and went CO -> MP -> UTG.

It was great. If you don't want to straddle on the button, you're a nit!

Asterix811 - I completed forgot about this. OMG. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Raye