Los Angeles Poker?

[WiredSevens]

I'm going to Los Angeles circa June 18-24 for about a week. I'm a 1/2 and 2/5 NLHE player. Where's the best poker action in LA?

I'm aware of the Bike and other LA area casinos but I'm asking which one is the best for good no limit action?

I'll be staying in Pasadena, so which one would be close by? Also is there a bus that goes to these casinos that runs through Pasadena? I won't be renting a car and won't be able to rely upon my friend 100% for rides to/from casino.

Thanks guys.

[Sailboats]

come on you know there's only one place to play poker in LA and its LA's Friendliest... THE COMMERCE

[Rottersod]

Since you'll be here for a week I'd recommend trying commerce first and then trying other casinos. Not sure where you play but in LA the 1/2 game is $40 or $50 NL and the 2/3 is $100. 3/5 is $200. These are all capped games. I just got home from the Commerce 3/5 ($200) game because everyone here kept telling me how good it was on Saturday nights and it was (yes Tony, I got over my cold).

Forgot to add: Not sure about bus from Pasadena but the gold line (light rail) runs from there to downtown and from there it should be easy to find a bus)

[Dennisa]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm going to Los Angeles circa June 18-24 for about a week. I'm a 1/2 and 2/5 NLHE player. Where's the best poker action in LA?

I'm aware of the Bike and other LA area casinos but I'm asking which one is the best for good no limit action?

I'll be staying in Pasadena, so which one would be close by? Also is there a bus that goes to these casinos that runs through Pasadena? I won't be renting a car and won't be able to rely upon my friend 100% for rides to/from casino.

Thanks guys.

[/ QUOTE ]

The easiest casino to reach by public transportation would by Crystal Park. Take the gold, to the red, to the blue (all on light rail) line and they have a station in the back of the parking lot. From the parking lot, if you make it into the casino you are running very goot. They run a 40-100 1/2 NL game. They also got a 100-300 3/5 game going around 5.00PM on Wednesday. Unfortunately it is a very small house and they only had about 5 tables going on Wednesday.

To acutally plan a trip check out this website LA MTA trip planning website and it will tell you how to get there.

As for the crystal park route triple light rail route, I would only take the blue line it in the daylight, so plan to get there in the late afternoon, and dont leave until morning commute around 6:00 AM.

[Russ Fox]

You should really, really consider renting a car. None of the L.A. casinos are in good neighborhoods; two are in very bad neighborhoods (Hollywood Park & Crystal Park). I would not want to use public transportation at night to any of the clubs.

There's no reason to visit Crystal Park from a poker standpoint. Commerce & the Bike are your best bets; they're the closest to Pasadena.

The biggest problem with L.A. poker is the structures are awful. At both the Bike & Commerce, $100 fixed buy-in nlhe has $2/$3 blinds; $200 fixed has $3/$5 blinds. At Commerce, they have $400 fixed with $5/$10 blinds. The Bike has (relatively) the best structure, $300 - $500 buy-in with $5/$5 blinds.

You will find loads of action at Commerce, a bit less action but a more pleasant experience at the Bike. If you're playing in the dead of night, Commerce is a better choice as they will have more games going.

-- Russ Fox
co-author, "Why You Lose at Poker"

[sternroolz]

[ QUOTE ]
You should really, really consider renting a car.

[/ QUOTE ]

[EdmondDantes]

You can compare the various LA rooms here...current as of Apr 20th or so...

LA room comparisons

[WiredSevens]

Renting a car is kind of out of the option. I'm 22 years old and that means I get screwed over by car rental companies as I'm under 25..

My friend in CA has a car and could probably pick me up late at night. Though I wouldn't want her driving in bad neighborhoods late at night haha. Thanks for the heads up guys, this is great stuff.

[WiredSevens]

Pasadena Inn
400 South Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena, CA Map
1.6 Miles South of Pasadena (City Center)

That's the hotel I'll most likely be staying at.

Commerce Casino
6131 Telegraph Road
Commerce, CA 90040

is Commerce's address; I can't seem to make sense of the websites, but I'm guessing that there are busses that run near by my hotel. Sorry, I'm kind of used to the MTA structure in NYC.

Any help?

[Russ Fox]

Here is a link to the public transit page for Los Angeles County.

Again, I strongly recommend you do not use public transit at night and have your friend pick you up.

-- Russ Fox
co-author, "Why You Lose at Poker"