newbi chicago are looking to start

kassdog · #1 10-19-2006, 11:23 PM

I'm looking to start playing in casino now and have read through the stickies. What would be in the best place to start with the smallest stakes. This means east chicago, joliet, possibly elgin. I am new to live games at casinos but not to poker(been playing around 5 years). Any help would be great like stakes and how much to bring. I want to stick to limit.

SheridanCat · #2 10-19-2006, 11:44 PM

The Majestic Star 2 in Gary is your best bet for very low stakes. Their smallest game is 3/6 for limit and 1/2 blinds for NL. You'd buy in for a rack of white ($1) chips for the 3/6 limit game (that's $100) and $100 in red ($5) chips for the 1/2 NL game.

Have fun.

Grumbo · #3 10-20-2006, 12:22 AM

Since when has there been a $1/$2 NL game? I've only seen a $2/$5 for a $200 max buy-in.

pacecar86 · #4 10-20-2006, 01:01 AM

Agree with MSII in Gary. Great room for NLHE cash games.

Also, if you are interested - weekly tourneys. Weekend SNG's. Freerolls tourneys for frequent cash game players. Heartland Poker Tour starting there next week - expect $300K+ prize pool for ME & structure offers low cost sat's.

Only poker room even half alive in Northern IL is Hollywood Joliet, but, I don't think they spread NLHE. Reasonably profitable 10/20 Limit game, but, wait list times blow.

rowdyclassmate · #5 10-20-2006, 03:06 AM

1/2 NL started a few months back. The $200 max is now a $300 max. Either MSII or Resorts will do, however Resorts doesn't have a small NL game. Joliet (Empress) used to have a small poker room, but it was removed several months ago.

kassdog · #6 10-20-2006, 03:31 AM

So the smallest around is 3/6. Thats not bad, I used to play that at a bar. Sounds good. I'm familar with resorts, how close is that to Majestic. Also what is the normal buy in for the 3/6 aournd 100-200. Does this game run 24/7 or only weekends.

phuc · #7 10-20-2006, 10:53 AM

just so you know, the lowest limit at Resorts is 5/10. i can't say much about MSII as I haven't been there in ages. At Resorts, the 5/10 probably goes 24/7 or close to it.

SheridanCat · #8 10-20-2006, 11:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
You'd buy in for a rack of white ($1) chips for the 3/6 limit game

[/ QUOTE ]

I forgot that this game features a full kill, so maybe a bit more than $100 is appropriate. Since I like round numbers, I'd probably get two racks ($200) total.

SheridanCat · #9 10-20-2006, 11:33 AM

[ QUOTE ]
So the smallest around is 3/6. Thats not bad, I used to play that at a bar. Sounds good. I'm familar with resorts, how close is that to Majestic. Also what is the normal buy in for the 3/6 aournd 100-200. Does this game run 24/7 or only weekends.

[/ QUOTE ]

MSII is one exit past the Pastrick Marina exit for Resorts (assuming you're coming from Chicago and take the first Cline Ave exit). It's about 10 minutes in between or so.

There should be 3/6 games running any time. The lowest at Resorts is 5/10 with a full kill, as somone already mentioned.

jacksquat · #10 10-20-2006, 12:50 PM

no poker at the elgin boat. hollywood joliet?? last time i was there they didn't have poker.(it was a while back though) hollywood aurora has 5/10 and 10/20 limit with half kill. they also have a 20/40 game one or two days a week, but i seem to recall that it is regulars and/or insiders for the most part. they also run a MTT every weds. for $150, and they are running $90 sngs on sundays. the regular games there tend to be no fold'em hold'em many times,so you need to play tight and hopefully get some cards. heartland poker tour is going to be at majestic all of next week. they will be running sng table sats and mtt qualifiers to the finals to be held next weekend.

hope this helps