LLNL in Los Angeles
 

I have a question not worth its own thread, so I used the search going back at least 6 months to find a thread about these games and couldn't find anything appropriate. There are a number of threads about the mid-stakes LHE and NL games in LA, but none discussing the LLNL games I would be interested in. I figure this thread can be a kind of catch-all for discussions about rooms and games around LA for those looking to visit the area and play some low limit NL while they are there.

Anyway, my question: I have two trips to LA with friends and family coming up in the next couple months, and I want to try to get away and play some LLNL while there. One is to Anaheim and the other to Venice Beach. Does anyone know what card rooms are convenient from those places, and what games and structures are spread there?

Thanks in advance.

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

The two closest Casino to Venice Beach are Hollywood Park (located in Inglewood,) and Larry Flint's Huster Casino (located in Gardena).

When I am in LA, I usually play at Hustler. The LLNL action at both casinos are the same. Hollywood Park is totally classless. Hustler just changed their LLNL game from a capped 50 buy in, to 50-100 buy in, the blinds are 1-2. I think that the four dollar rake is too high, unless there is a lot of action and money on the table. I usually play 100-300, the players are pretty bad, but there always seems to be one or two sharks at the table too. The blinds are 2-5.

There is also a 300-500 buy in, with 5-5 blinds.


From Anahiem, I think that Hawaian Gardens is the Closest. I have never played there. Oceans 11 in Oceanside is a great casino, but it is a 45 minute drive from Anahiem.

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

For Anahiem Commerce is a quick drive up the 5. I don't play it but pretty sure they have a 100 buy in NL. IF not I know they have 200 NL

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

If you can figure out the 30 minute window that traffic is light on the I5, both Commerce and the Bike are reasonable driving distance from Anaheim. I agree Hawaiian Gardens is closer.

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

How low are you trying to play? The Bike has a 40NL game. They used to have a 80NL(I think) but I'm not sure if they still do.

There are a few threads on LA games here. Check out this chart at tworags.com for some info on limits. I'm not sure how accurate it is though.

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

[ QUOTE ]
How low are you trying to play?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm rolled for traditional 1/2 blinds 200NL. These <100BB BI games are tricky to figure what I'd be good to play. Does 2/5 /$200 play like 200NL with big blinds, or like 500NL with a table of shortstackers? I want to find a balance where a couple beats or mis-played hands won't hurt my roll (2/5/$500 is too big, is 2/5/$200 also??), but where I'm still +EV (20BB stacks?? seriously?????).

Thanks for the link.

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

[ QUOTE ]
How low are you trying to play? The Bike has a 40NL game. They used to have a 80NL(I think) but I'm not sure if they still do.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Bike has an $80 fixed with 1-3 blinds. The $100 game has 2-3 blinds and free food from the get go (in the $80 I think you need a card and three hours play). Both structures will have about two to five games.

Hawaiian Gardens is a good choice from the Anaheim area with the real small NL games located behind the bar area resulting in a real party atmosphere. Yeah, it's sort of a tent but its a clean tent. They are probably better at preventing dealer abuse than any other casino except perhaps The Hustler. Food is very good too although not comped until you play the $300 game.

As an aside, I'm not sure why HG gets so little respect on these forums.

~ Rick

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How low are you trying to play?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm rolled for traditional 1/2 blinds 200NL. These <100BB BI games are tricky to figure what I'd be good to play. Does 2/5 /$200 play like 200NL with big blinds, or like 500NL with a table of shortstackers? I want to find a balance where a couple beats or mis-played hands won't hurt my roll (2/5/$500 is too big, is 2/5/$200 also??), but where I'm still +EV (20BB stacks?? seriously?????).

Thanks for the link.

[/ QUOTE ]

With that roll play the 2/3 blind $100 game (available just about everywhere) or the 1/3 blind $80 game at the Bike. Take reasonable stack building gambles early and be prepared to rebuy (also note in most clubs you can add $100 when below $50 or do a $150 rebuy if you go to the cloth). Key it to get deep in a good game and press edges while protecting your big stack (which is irreplaceable with the buyin rules).

In other words if you play a while you may find yourself with a fairly deep stack against against a few players who are also deep even though they aren't very good. It's essential to play with big edges when in a pot against them (against the short stack any edge is OK). Reason is if you take a small edge against a deep stack and lose you can't replace your stack meaning you lose the ability to take down their deep stacks later it the session (without grinding back a small stack, by that time they may leave).

Keep in mind when you have a deep stack the quality deep stack players can't take an empty seat and start deep. In essence your game is protected from other sharks.

Biggest mistake in these games is to stay long with a short stack because you are stuck. Better to get some rest and try again another day. Time to play extra long is when you get deep in a good game.

~ Rick

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

Also one thing that works in getting a bigger stack is sitting in one game, and when you ask for chips get an extra hundred or whatever. Then sit and immediately ask for a table change. Take the extra chips out your pocket when you move. Some players may be nits but usually you can get away with it. I dunno if it's worth the trouble or if you really care about having a bigger stack that much. I've done this at Hollywood Park before. A player asked if I was coming from another game and I said yes, they asked the floor and they confirmed. Again it just depends on how serious it is to you.

Re: LLNL in Los Angeles
 

[ QUOTE ]
Also one thing that works in getting a bigger stack is sitting in one game, and when you ask for chips get an extra hundred or whatever. Then sit and immediately ask for a table change. Take the extra chips out your pocket when you move. Some players may be honest and willing to play within the rules but if you don't care to be honest it's an unfortunate fact of life that usually you can get away with it. I dunno if it's worth the trouble or if you really care about having a bigger stack that much. I've done this at Hollywood Park before. A player asked if I was coming from another game and I said yes, they asked the floor and they confirmed. Again it just depends on how serious it is to you.

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP