Patience is a great thing and I imagine some will be needed on this maiden voyage, but this is backwards. This is an opportunity for Harrah's to introduce a lot of people to a property they would not otherwise think of going to. There are plenty of other tournament destinations and poker rooms where they hustle to update information, provide event room rates, listen to player feedback, etc. Some places want your business and others make it clear they don't really care. I'm excited to see Cherokee and drive to play, and will wait and see how they handle everything. But, if you wonder why people would preemptively rate Cherokee one of the worst places to play just look at the threads from Venetian, Borgata, Commerce, Grand Sierra, etc. where poker room managers and tournament directors make it their job to answer people's questions. Thankfully, in this thread, several players have gotten answers to most questions raised. Here's hoping we can all say Cherokee is one of the best stops!

Poker room reps from Cherokee Casino and from PokerTek (maker of PokerPro tables) do participate here:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/19...kee-nc-429653/

I think it is unfair to expect them to even know about this new thread, and all the WSOP-C Cherokee questions could have been posted in the thread above.

I think the premise of this is correct however prejudging significantly isn't really completely fair as they don't have any experience with this clientele.

I think the biggest/best thing they can do is be overstaffed, welcoming and do their best to go out of their way to provide a great player experience. Comps perhaps a little more liberally than they usually would, addressing concerns that come up quickly etc. Treat it as an opportunity cost, run it first class and take care of player first time around allow it to grow and bring people back next time.

I don't think they would remove the cap in the poker room. 2/5 NLHE and above will be available for higher buy-ins. There will be other 1/2 cash games conducted in the Special Events Center (probably when tournament events start losing players), and not sure what those buy-ins will be.

For normal 1/2 NLHE in the poker room, the buy-in is $100-$500, and there is a wide variation in player buy-in amounts from one person to the next and one table to the next, so not sure why you care. I would say the average buy-in is about $250, but plenty of $100 buy-ins also. I usually alter my buy-in depending on the other player stacks when I sit down (I can select buy-in amount on PokerPro table after I log-in at the table.

Questions have been asked in that thread and have not been answered. I even posted a link to the mttc thread there. It is more than fair for them to know about this thread. Cherokee is hosting a Circuit Event. Their reps should be expecting player concerns about the event and addressing them.

I disagree. This thread should not even have been started (questions should have been posted in regular Cherokee thread). Besides, most questions have already been answered or are contained in the official WSOP-C rules posted on the WSOP-C website.

Some of the questions are a bit too demanding, such as how many people will enter each event, etc. Most other questions have been answered. Also, people don't really need to know anwers to all questions in advance.

What is the rake on the 365$ and 580$ ring events?

Edit: lol just read the comment above mine. I couldnt find the answers on wsopc.com

Rake on $365 event is $65 (includes dealer compensation). I found that on WSOP-C website.

Not sure if you know how it typically works, but MTT-Live is full of threads of tournament series at casinos and things pertaining to those events only for the most part. The other thread is full of daily happenings, trip reports, etc. Anthony answered some questions in there but nothing really pertaining to WSOPC.

A rep should be answering some of the questions in this thread...look at other threads and you will see reps in there a lot.

This event will have ppl that have never played a WSOPC series and they're looking for answers before they travel to the site. Some may not visit wsop.com everyday and know where to get answers. Expected turnout cannot be predicted but structures of nightlies, cash tables, sng's, etc. can be answered.

More information from a representative is NEVER a bad thing.

^^^
Exactly.

I agree that information is a good thing, and I also have questions (which is why I read the complete WSOP-C rules and structures). Even though I am curious about many other things, I realize that I will find out when I get there, and the world will not come to an end if I don't know in advance.

The actual Cherokee poker room staff probably don't know everything about the WSOP-C. I think because of the Poker Pro tables, they don't have the staff structure that most poker rooms have, and maybe there is no real poker room manager at Cherokee (Anthony may be the lead, but he takes his turn running the room like the others and is very busy). There is usually only one person on duty at a time, and at most two (probably during shift changes). But I guess that has changed now with the live dealer tables they started.

I believe you first mentioned this thread in the main Cherokee thread, but you didn't post a link until I asked you. It's not only the Cherokee employees responsibility to provide accurate information. We can all be helpful and share what we know.

But some people are not going to be satisfied until someone from WSOP-C or Cherokee tells them in advance exactly how many people will register for each event.

In before someone gets rivered on the bubble and comes here to say Cherokee is sh** hole...worst ran tourney..EVER

might even be me

1st WSOPc event for me. I'm not expecting much, since I really dont know what to expect....other than my herp bed at Smoky Mountain Inn and Suites

Headed up there on Thursday night and staying through Sunday. Staying in a cottage about a mile from the casino. Hoping to run well enough to make a trip back for the main.

In for event 1.

I'm thinking Sat. #'s could be pretty damn good. Just hearing so many TN, GA, SC and NC players heading over. Plus, a lot of things are booked up which is a good sign.

+1. The number of views of this thread is extremely encouraging as well. If you are on the fence, come out and play.

I'm coming up from FL with a couple people... I'm originally from NC and couldn't miss the first ever (legal) poker series in NC... Hopefully, this is a sign for change around the corner (at NC standards that's 15 years) and I will be able to move back home... Not holding my breath

there were some talks of a points bet for the entire series. If no one has stepped up to organize it, I'd be willing to take charge here.

I'm thinking a $200/person flight and a $1k/person flight, most points throughout the series takes the whole pot. If we get more that 10 people we can pay the top 2 spots 75/25.

I know its a bit late, as Event 1 is tomorrow, but PM me if you have any interest and we can settle up on Thursday at Harrahs.

What about the 580$?

$80

Quick reference guide for first timers to Cherokee:

The land is on a Native American reservation (duh). The area is generally quiet and safe. The surrounding motels are somewhat crappy but acceptable, however they charge a premium, especially on weekends due to casino traffic. Unimpressive but inexpensive restaurants as well as your standard fast food chains are all within a 5 minute drive. Only McDonalds is 24/7.

Casino:

It has fairly recently been renovated and always kept very clean. Perhaps nicer than any CET property in the world. Alcohol isn't free, there is last call nightly at 2. The majority of the workforce, including the restaurant wait staff aren't as seasoned as your traditional Vegas casino. To be honest there are some real dimwits working there, but everyone tends to be quite nice unlike the jaded employees of AC and Vegas. If you look to be under the age of 40, prepared to be carded by security, maybe often. Bear in mind the entire 2nd floor is NON-Smoking. The poker room and convention/show area are upstairs on 2nd floor.

Hotel:

Harrah's Cherokee is unique is that it lacks any local competition. As a result, there is always full occupancy in the hotel on weekends. It is virtually impossible to book a room unless you are vip. Usually only high level diamond and seven star guests get rooms. The gym and pool are under renovation until the summer. There is an arcade by the hotel elevators for the kids.

Parking:

There are two self parking decks (free). One on casino side and the other for the hotel side. Everything is connected. The casino valet charges upwards of $15 while the hotel valet is free. The casino valet entrance leads to stairs closest to the poker room. There is always plenty of parking in the decks and some outside as well.

Casino food:

Food court
Paula Deen's Kitchen
Cafe w/ Starbucks
Brio
Ruth's Chris
Asian place
Buffet
Diamond Lounge (for Diamond or 7 stars)
Essence Lounge (a sports bar with bar food)
A couple gift shops which sell snacks

The only late night food options are asian place and food court (24/7).

Games:

There are regular pit games and plenty of slots. The pit games can be full to the extent of waiting lines on busy weekends. Cherokee prints money. The lines to cages can be ridiculously long and is segregated into normal, diamond, and seven stars. There are ticket cashing and change making machines to help with this. The pit dealers are mostly new to dealing and tend to make mistakes/are slow, which can be an advantage for the player.

Poker Room:

Located upstairs between Brio and convention/box office. You must have a total rewards card AND set up a poker account (create a sn) at the poker cage and fund it before playing any PokerPro tables. You put yourself on the waitlist by swiping in the terminal next to entrance. Remember that alcohol isn't free and waitress service can be quite sparse and slow. There is a cooler with free waters in the poker room. The WSOPc events will obviously be held in the convention area next door.

Tips:

- If you have to pee sitting down, the downstairs restrooms have more stalls than upstairs.
- Get the pizza in the food court if you want to eat the worst tasting pizza of your life and maybe have to make a run to the downstairs restrooms.
- The only thing remotely resembling "nightlife" is the Essence Lounge, anywhere.
- Quickest way for smoke break is take escalator down to first floor.
- It can be faster to walk downstairs to the beverage stations for a drinks when waitresses are mia.
- If driving at night, be prepared for random fog attacks. "Smoky Mountains"? Also watch out for deer and bears.
- Don't expect to find any working girls in case you were looking to treat yourself after a min cash.

I hope this guide has been informative and helpful and hope that locals of other stops post similar guides prior to their corresponding series commencements.

Thanks alot!! Very informative!!
If I am staying across street at Days Inn, is it safe to walk back and forth across street? Do any of the hotels have security in the lots? My concern is walking alone with pocketful of cash.

Well done, Biebs

This is my first time to Cherokee so I don't know about security. All I know is this: http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/196...ry-at-nc-hotel