Not necessary, but you could become a target. Some players will definitely take note. Maybe tip every couple of nice size pots. Even a buck is appreciated.

see u at ND sat arkyten

sure they do. sure they did.

They sure accepted a lot of tips the one time I played there a couple years ago. However, they are not supposed to accept tips. Using professional dealers isn't allowed under Illinois's charitable gaming law. The dealers are supposed to be volunteers for the charity. There was a Tribune article a few months ago about some of these operations getting in trouble.

such a terrible law. yes, let's use amateurs to monitor games where hundreds of dollars change hands every minute.

its not like the charities lose out on any money by RCG hiring real dealers. they still get their rake.

Not this time, but keep in touch... For "blue". They take tips. I will bet you a thousand bucks!

Good location tomorrow outside the Arlington Park race track. Should be a fun time. Played the late $60 tourney last week and made final table.
rcgpoker.com

Thanks for the tip, arkyten! I never think about RCG but followed your advice and got a nice little return (~$100/hr) on my investment tonight. [/brag]

Is it my imagination or are many of those teens that show up (not all, mind you) playing scared money?

was at arlington the other day thats gotta be their best venue...get all the 65yr old degen horse-betting gamblers...the dealers def take tips ive tipped in cash games, sngs, mtts, and roulette(when they had it) never had anyone decline... and just so u guys know the payout structure has always been 1 player per table started for mtts with deal making allowed at player's discretion, been goin there over 3yrs and its always been that way

Funny thing. I got there at 1:30 pm before the early bird. I was taking a Flip video just to show how beautiful the room looked when one of the "managers" came over and said, "Sorry, but no videos or cams". I've still got the 10 seconds showing the venue. A couple months ago, the Daily Herald published an editorial I sent about Saving Arlington Park (which involved live poker), so I found it interesting. Busted early in the $30 tourney (AK) vs JJ and with pocket 7's in a $50 SNG, but won $225 at 1-2T. It's always nice when the deck hits you with high pocket pairs. Best play of the day (thank the poker gods); limped early with pocket Jacks (had a reason!), then 2 big raises behind me. Folded. Kings vs Queens all-in.

agreed, definitely the best venue so far. i played the 1-2 PLO for a few hours and it was very juicy

Good job Cardinal. Yep, some of the teens played scared money. Buy in short and either double up or go broke inside an hour or two. Too much limping with short stacks. Although, sometimes playing short can be very profitable.

Been making some new poker friends at these events recently. Connecting with more players who want to play Omaha variations in addition to hold-em would be great. I have started a contact list from this thread. I haven't noticed a thread addressing meet-up opportunities, so possibly we can start something here. Maybe I can whet your appetite with a few session comments from Monday's RCG event at the Double Tree Hotel in Arlington Heights, IL.
A beautiful day outside after scorching heat and rain, but the players still showed up in droves. I hadn't originally planned on going, but my buddy sent me a text and said he would be there. I really didn't feel very "poker sharp", so I bought in light. Entered a $25 SNG and chopped for first and the $50 last out. I had a bit to burn. Entered the $65 MTT. Nine hands in, I pick up Big Slick (with a 4500 stack), so I flat called an early raise to see what developed behind me. Two more called. Flop comes 9-K-9. Original raiser bets. Thinking now was the time to "chip up", I went all-in. Villain behind me had pocket 9's for quads (ouch!). Now here's where the story gets interesting. After busting out I headed to the 1-2 NL tables. Very first hand, I'm dealt pocket nines in middle position. Flop comes 9-Q-9. Three players in pot to river with me check calling all the way. River, I bet $60 into a $100+ pot and get called by one villain with a straight. Never picked up any more hands and ended up down $30 for the day. What a juicy table, with 3 real aggressive LAGs, but what are you gonna do with a bunch of Red Dog hands?
I am in no way affiliated with RCG, but they will spread more Omaha if enough people sign up. No... Omaha didn't get going. See you at the tables, I hope. Not interested in home games at this time, Thanks

OK - It's alright to Donk me with my Big Slick bad play (?)

Hey all,
I haven't played any RCC events in about 4 years (only played MTT's then), but was looking to play some NLHE cash games at a few of the upcoming events:
1) what kind of nlhe games are spread typically (also, max buyins, etc)?
2) what is the rake?
3) are you supposed to tip? if so, how much?
4) any other comments relating to RCC cash games (how have they changed in last 4 yrs, best venues, quality/type of play, how do cash games vary from the Shoe, etc)?
Thanks, and sorry if some of this is covered elsewhere in the thread.

1) 1/2 and 2/5 NLHE, as well as 1/2 PLO (sometimes) are the commonly spread games. IIRC max buy in is 100 BB.

2) Rake is 10% to $5 max

3)The dealers are technically volunteers, but yeah, tipping should and does occur... At least a buck, unless you hit a monster...$300 pot? Yeah, I'll toss a red.

4) I generally suck at teh pokerz, but, IMO, easier games than the Shoe AINEC

Was thinking about potentially playing this saturday at the venue near Ohare. Probably a mix of 1/2 nl and the SnG they run. Is there a long wait to get a table? What about the quality of the players?

Hardly any waiting, but be aware if you arrive between 2-3PM, most players will be playing the $25 (+$5 for extra chips). SNGs are rotating all the time. Nice venue in an old gym

Thanks. I would probably play the $25 tourney as well.

How are the players and blind structure? Seems that they don't pay many spots and live tourneys tend to increase blinds way too fast given dealt hands...

Why no more deepstack events?

Starting Stack = 5000

Blinds start at 25-50 and increase every 15 minutes.

Many loose and tight players. Most are pretty donky and will call off stack with top pair, top kicker.

There are usually 10 tables plus or over 100 players. 10th place will pay approximate $100 with a top prize between $1000+. Final table usually a crap shoot due huge blinds!

Yeah!?!? Why no more deepstack events? The only time and reason I'd go to the RCG.

I will bet money, they do accept tips. You not force to tipe but they are workers giving you a service and you can tip for service recive. I belive the "target" refers to being tight ot loose with your play.

I cannot see what the big deal about giving tips to dealers. My boyfriend worked weekends for CCG for the last three years. He makes about $200 in tips for working two events. That money became our only source of income for a while when we were laided off our full time jobs last year. Nobody thinks about how the money helps the dealers who work at charity poker tournaments.

RCG at Meridian Banquets yesterday. Another active afternoon. Entered the 4:30 Multi for the $65 buy-in (60 players) with 5000 chips and 15 minute blinds. Got 4 hours of fun play with some of the wildest hands imaginable. Bad beats. Extreme short stacks winning multiple all-ins. The key hand of the day for me was also a 2 out suckout. Villain and I had approximately 20BB, when I shoved with pocket 6's. He had 10's. The 6 on the river propelled me into a 4th place cash for $380. Yep, you got to get lucky on occasion.

do they ever spread LHE at these bad boys? i went to one last summer and it was primarily 1/2 NL and sng's...profitable, but not my game of choice. only reason i went was because it was literally right down the street from me at the villa park vfw and i was far too hungover to drive to any of the local boats.