Oceans 11
 

Hello. I'm an Oceans 11 player. Mostly 1-1 and 2-2. Though recently I've almost entirely dropped 1-1 from my games, because overcoming the drop is very difficult in a game where the majority of the table likely has ~30-60 in front of them, with average pot sizes in the 8~20 range.

Most recently I've begun playing the tournaments. Mostly on weekends since I work during the week. I've considered playing on the week-days though, as I am able to take off one morning each week. Is anyone else here a tournement player in So-Cal/ and/or Oceans? Are there any casino's that have ideal structures (blinds/etc.) for a relatively low buy-in? (< 75 each, ideally). I did play the 40 + 4 WPT satellite qualifier at Sacuan (spelling) Sunday, but managed to get knocked out just prior to the bubble - shortstacked with KJ suited.

Gina

Re: Oceans 11
 

Doubtful you'll find a good structure for less than $75 in San Diego... most of the daily tournaments at Sycuan and Viejas seem to become like bingo after the 2nd break. Blinds ramp too quickly for there to be a lot of poker to play, and it becomes an "all-in or nothing" affair relatively quickly. I've found those Oceans weekend tournaments to have the best structure for a relatively low buy-in. The Harrah's nightly tournaments have some of the weakest players, but keep in mind that they usually have only 30-40 players on weeknights, so the prize pool is not significant. (Especially if it's a long drive for you all the way up to Rincon.. no guarantee of a NL game to play if/when the tournament ends)

I agree with you on stopping the $1-$1 game at Oceans, though. Very tough to read a table when people don't have that much in front of them.

Re: Oceans 11
 

Thanks for the response.

Regarding the Ocean's tournaments. I've been fairly successful on the Saturday tournaments there-- though I've never outright won any. The times I've ended up on the final table- every time we've chopped. Not that I'm complaining, because it seems that even bigstacked on the final table, you never seem to have more than 12 bbs. What I find difficult there is mid-tournament with the 15 minute blinds, all of the supertight players are blinding out simultaneously, causing an hour-long desperation-fest with multi-way action of any two cards.

I'll probably continue to play the Saturday tourneys at Oceans, but was hoping to find something else decent in the 40ish range for one other weekday. My poker budget is about 100 per week so that would be ideal. (wish I could say I put my winnings into building a respectable poker bankroll, but instead I put them toward paying off my car and old student loans).

Re: Oceans 11
 

Gina,

We have a $40 push fest on Tue.-Thur. nights (6:30 p.m.) at Barona, but with a couple of additional levels... 300-600 and 3000-6000.

15 min. levels tho.

The tournament is just $30 on Sat. and Sun. (10 a.m.)

Re: Oceans 11
 

I think I'll try out the 6:30 tourney at Barona next Wed. and see how that goes. That should round out the week, and fit right with my poker budget. Thanks!