Harrahs East Chicago...

[Dave B]

Anyone ever play here? If so, what is the action like?

I play frequently play online and a few times a month at a card club on 3/6 tables and some tourneys. I am heading to Chi for a business and fun long weekend in mid Nov and have Sunday free. It looks like the only holdem game is 10/20.

[mindgame]

I play there a couple times a month. I've written a bit about it if you check back and read some of my posts, but here's the short version:

They have a small card room with about 15-18 tables squeezed into the top floor of the boat--just keep taking escalators up and when you get to the top turn left. They'll be a white message board just to your right as you walk in. Find the black suit who's running the room that night--he's usually right by the board--and sign up for the 5-10 game. They'll be two of those active on weeknights and 4-5 on Friday nights and the weekends. More action on weekends--weekdays it's too full of regulars who are very tight and many quite tough.

Fridays can also be tough. The room fills with young guns (probably like yourself) who have been playing online all week and make a 4 hour drive to do the real thing. They're hot to play but they aren't about to get crazy and bust their bankroll in an hour or two. After staying and playing 16-20 hours they finally all go home by Saturday afternoon and you finally you can just win some easy money from the "tourists."

It's a decent place. If it's your first time at casino poker just tell the dealer (believe me, everyone will know anyway) and you'll get some gentle coaching that will likely get you through the worst mistakes with a minimum of embarrassment. Buy in for $200 bucks after you get your table assignment. Get another $10 in $.50 tokens and use those to tip. Don't forget to tip after you win a pot. $1 tip isn't necessary, but you might want to show your appreciation now and then if you get some extra help. The tips all go into a common pot anyway, so it's not like they can keep anything special.

It's a tough place to win at first. They have a 10% rake up to $6/pot. Adds up to a hell of a lot because they also take out another dollar for the "bad beat" jackpot. Throw in the tip and you are paying $7.50/pot every time you win. Play 5 hours, win, say 20 pots, and you might walk out with $350--but you've paid the house $150 for the privilege.

If you ever get up toward Traverse City Michigan there's a huge Indian Casino in Manestee (45 min south). They have a real sweet $4-8 game and the rake stops at $4/pot and there's no jackpot pull. Makes the game almost half the price of East Chicago. ($4 v. $7.50).

My God! That was my idea of a short version.