Side games at Cherokee Tulsa, OK during Scotty Nguyen tournies

[DaveyDonk]

A few days ago I made some unorganized plans to drive down to Tulsa and play at the Cherokee casino, since I was going to sort of be in the area (3 hours away, but I'll stay there for 2-3 days if I go). Today I was looking on their site and was sad to see that they are in the middle of their tournament series, the Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge III. I don't play tournaments, especially not ones with this big of a buyin (I'll be there Saturday May 26 until Monday the 28th sometime, when they're having $500, $1,000 & $5,000 buyins), and want to just play in cash games.

If anyone is familiar with these tournaments and this casino, could you tell me if it is worth going there for the side games? I know the room is pretty decent sized, but I'd guess that the tournaments will take up a large portion, if not all, of the card room. How long will it generally take for the side games to get going, how many tables should I expect to be open, what games will be spread (I'm looking for 2/5NL but will play 1/2 or 5/10 if those are going, would play some 5/10+ limit HE or 1/2 PLO if they have those going too), and are they especially good games at this time?

I'm just trying to gauge if it is worth driving out of my way to play there for a couple days, so if anyone has been there the last year or 2 for these and has any advice I'd appreciate it.

-Will