RynoBrown
12-19-2007, 10:46 AM
Does anyone know of any games out by the new Southlands Mall? I know that the "I'm All In" group has a pretty good game at Indigo Joe's on Wed and Sat night, but are there any further east than that?
Also, I see the people that are running the tours ask for constructive criticism or suggestions. Here is what I look for in a poker game:
1. Be ready and start on time. Nothing makes me more frustrated than to show up 30 minutes prior to the start time and to have it start 15 minutes late. I know there are times that can't happen, but more often than not, it is the tours fault and are treating their tour like a business and being ready.
2. Be prompt on breaks. I don't smoke but understand a lot of people do and the bar/tour must cater to them to maintain that clientele. However, when you do take a break don't tell people that they are going to be 10 minutes and then get around to tabling up 20 to 25 minutes later. Announce a 10 or 15 minute break and start back up at that time. If people are out messing around, blind them out.
3. Hire professional dealers and help them manage the game. A dealer can make or break your tour. If the dealers are unprofessional or have no idea what they are doing, I won't be back. They don't have to have a bowtie on, but should know how to run a game and keep things moving politely.
4. Keep the out of control language in check. I'm not trying to be too prudish or claim to be a saint, but I really do enjoy a game where the table is not completely out of control. Most of the places I play have older people and ladies playing a lot. I use the occasional curse word once in a while, but the last place I played had more f bombs thrown around than were entirely necessary. A simple comment from the dealer will take care of most of these issues. Something like, "Can we please watch our language out of respect for the rest of the table. Thank you."
5. Make the game fun with side stuff. This could include bounties or prizes. They all don't have to come from the bar either. A good bounty prize would be to receive 3 times the blind for knocking out the bounty. Also, I don't know of a bar that doesn't get free crappy hats, coozies, or shirts from their vendors. Throw those out to the "the next full house" or something like that. It keeps the conversation going and is a very low cost gimmick.
6. DON'T ALLOW PEOPLE TO SIGN UP VIA PHONE!!! Nothing torques me off more than to show up 30 minutes early and be put on a wait list because the dealer/tour manager allowed his buddy to call ahead and get on the list. I'm there spending my money on beer and food (which I'm more than happy to do) while the other guy is doing who knows what. Sign people up in person and leave it at that.
7. Run consol tables. Most tours do a good job of running consol tables for the people that get knocked out early by those crazy donkey players that play "free" poker calling your A's after to triple the blinds with 6/4 just because it was suited. I'm not bitter or anything :) Keep up the consol's guys, they keep us playing and spending.
Here's what I will do for the bar/tour:
1. Come on time to play. I can't always come 30 minutes early, but I will occasionally call ahead to let them know I am coming so they can plan tables accordingly. I don't expect to be signed up via phone, but do it as a courtesy to the tour so they aren't having to add tables at the last minute. This helps them get the game started on time.
2. Patronize the bar - I don't always buy food, but I almost always drink two or three beers and tip 20% for the service. (Assuming the service was satisfactory.) Hint: For the bars that start the game at 7:00, I personally can't come early as I have a job and family that come first. I realize that I am only one of many players though.
3. Tip the dealers - Personally, I tip the dealer $2 or $3 prior to the start of the game depending on my prior experience with that dealer. I will tip again when moved to a new table. (If I think I will be there more than 10 minutes.) I will also tip again if I finish in the money. Note to fellow players: These guys are usually working for peanuts or free. If you can't afford money to tip stay home and play online.
4. Respect the game and my fellow players - I won't scream or get pissed and throw chips when somebody hits runner/runner to beat my straight. I won't mark the cards or make things personal. Remember this is free bar poker, you aren't playing for a $1 million prize. If you get beat, shake your head, get up and try to go win the consol table.
If I don't win a single thing I probably walk out of the bar $20 or $30 light of what I went in there with. That is failry cheap entertainment for 3 or 4 hours of playing.
That is just my $.02. If we can all just get along and be respectful to the bar, tour and fellow players we will have some great bar poker to play at. And isn't that what we are ALL really striving for?
RynoBrown
Also, I see the people that are running the tours ask for constructive criticism or suggestions. Here is what I look for in a poker game:
1. Be ready and start on time. Nothing makes me more frustrated than to show up 30 minutes prior to the start time and to have it start 15 minutes late. I know there are times that can't happen, but more often than not, it is the tours fault and are treating their tour like a business and being ready.
2. Be prompt on breaks. I don't smoke but understand a lot of people do and the bar/tour must cater to them to maintain that clientele. However, when you do take a break don't tell people that they are going to be 10 minutes and then get around to tabling up 20 to 25 minutes later. Announce a 10 or 15 minute break and start back up at that time. If people are out messing around, blind them out.
3. Hire professional dealers and help them manage the game. A dealer can make or break your tour. If the dealers are unprofessional or have no idea what they are doing, I won't be back. They don't have to have a bowtie on, but should know how to run a game and keep things moving politely.
4. Keep the out of control language in check. I'm not trying to be too prudish or claim to be a saint, but I really do enjoy a game where the table is not completely out of control. Most of the places I play have older people and ladies playing a lot. I use the occasional curse word once in a while, but the last place I played had more f bombs thrown around than were entirely necessary. A simple comment from the dealer will take care of most of these issues. Something like, "Can we please watch our language out of respect for the rest of the table. Thank you."
5. Make the game fun with side stuff. This could include bounties or prizes. They all don't have to come from the bar either. A good bounty prize would be to receive 3 times the blind for knocking out the bounty. Also, I don't know of a bar that doesn't get free crappy hats, coozies, or shirts from their vendors. Throw those out to the "the next full house" or something like that. It keeps the conversation going and is a very low cost gimmick.
6. DON'T ALLOW PEOPLE TO SIGN UP VIA PHONE!!! Nothing torques me off more than to show up 30 minutes early and be put on a wait list because the dealer/tour manager allowed his buddy to call ahead and get on the list. I'm there spending my money on beer and food (which I'm more than happy to do) while the other guy is doing who knows what. Sign people up in person and leave it at that.
7. Run consol tables. Most tours do a good job of running consol tables for the people that get knocked out early by those crazy donkey players that play "free" poker calling your A's after to triple the blinds with 6/4 just because it was suited. I'm not bitter or anything :) Keep up the consol's guys, they keep us playing and spending.
Here's what I will do for the bar/tour:
1. Come on time to play. I can't always come 30 minutes early, but I will occasionally call ahead to let them know I am coming so they can plan tables accordingly. I don't expect to be signed up via phone, but do it as a courtesy to the tour so they aren't having to add tables at the last minute. This helps them get the game started on time.
2. Patronize the bar - I don't always buy food, but I almost always drink two or three beers and tip 20% for the service. (Assuming the service was satisfactory.) Hint: For the bars that start the game at 7:00, I personally can't come early as I have a job and family that come first. I realize that I am only one of many players though.
3. Tip the dealers - Personally, I tip the dealer $2 or $3 prior to the start of the game depending on my prior experience with that dealer. I will tip again when moved to a new table. (If I think I will be there more than 10 minutes.) I will also tip again if I finish in the money. Note to fellow players: These guys are usually working for peanuts or free. If you can't afford money to tip stay home and play online.
4. Respect the game and my fellow players - I won't scream or get pissed and throw chips when somebody hits runner/runner to beat my straight. I won't mark the cards or make things personal. Remember this is free bar poker, you aren't playing for a $1 million prize. If you get beat, shake your head, get up and try to go win the consol table.
If I don't win a single thing I probably walk out of the bar $20 or $30 light of what I went in there with. That is failry cheap entertainment for 3 or 4 hours of playing.
That is just my $.02. If we can all just get along and be respectful to the bar, tour and fellow players we will have some great bar poker to play at. And isn't that what we are ALL really striving for?
RynoBrown