poker rooms in London?

NedForrest · #1 09-06-2007, 05:50 PM

I ll be there for a week. Where can I find the best games? Looking for holdem nl/limit middle stakes

luckyjimm · #2 09-06-2007, 05:57 PM

These are the two main clubs:

http://www.gutshot.com/bforum
http://www.thewesternclub.com

But recent changes in how they're run to comply with not being licensed now mean you need to sign up 48 hours before you can play and you need to be proposed by an existing member:

http://gutshot.com/bforum/showthread.php?t=24024

Your best bet in light of this is the Grosvenor Victoria ("the Vic") which has a casino license so will let you turn up and play straight away.

luckyjimm · #3 09-06-2007, 05:57 PM

Also, all games are played pot limit.

Supine · #4 09-06-2007, 06:40 PM

Could you tell me something about the games spread? number of tables, limits, amount of pros etc.

DonkeyKongSr · #5 09-06-2007, 06:53 PM

I played at Gutshot on a trip about 2 years ago now. You have to become a member, but at that time I could sign up immediately with no problem. I guess the laws converted back to the old way where you need to sign up in advance and stuff.

Anyway, nice little place. All pot limit games, which rule. There's so much action in those games. I had a table once where 4 straight players straddled every hand just so they could jack up the pot when it came back to them for their option. I would sit, wait for a hand, and get paid off handsomely when it hit.

As for tables, there were probably 20 at the most. Upstairs is a bar/coffee lounge/internet cafe type thing with a few tables. I saw Scott Fischman chilling playing online poker up there. Downstairs is basement type setup with 10-15 tables. I forget the exact limits, but the lowest limit was actually player dealt, which is super lame, but you don't have anyone to tip, so that's a tradeoff. This was all I remember from the 2 nights I played there.

Oh yeah, Gutshot didn't have the rule, but some other poker club I tried to get into had a strict dress code...at least a suit jacket, slacks, and dress shoes, so come prepared if you want to try out several rooms.

StevieG · #6 09-06-2007, 08:55 PM

[ QUOTE ]
These are the two main clubs:

http://www.gutshot.com/bforum
http://www.thewesternclub.com

But recent changes in how they're run to comply with not being licensed now mean you need to sign up 48 hours before you can play and you need to be proposed by an existing member:

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the info, luckyjimm. I happened to play at both the Gutshot and Western in the past year. The Western required signing up as a member, the Gutshot did not.

See this trip report: London Trip Report - The Western Club

In any case, I would prefer to play at the Vic over either of them.

The Sportsman is a very good looking place, but there was not a cash game going every night. Just on the nights when they had a tournament.

StevieG · #7 09-06-2007, 08:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I forget the exact limits [at Gutshot], but the lowest limit was actually player dealt, which is super lame, but you don't have anyone to tip, so that's a tradeoff. This was all I remember from the 2 nights I played there.

[/ QUOTE ]

No one tips at the Vic, even in games with a dealer, because I believe it is illegal for the dealers to accept tips.

Also, the Vic has a dress code. So make sure you have decent shoes and pants, and if your shirt has short sleeves, it better have a collar and buttons.

SukitTrebek · #8 09-07-2007, 05:55 AM

what kind of limits (for any game) would you expect to see at the various clubs?

is the biggest action at the vic?

Obfuscation · #9 09-07-2007, 02:16 PM

I was in London last week and played at a brand new place called the Casino at Empire.

http://www.thecasinolsq.com/pages/index.html

You had to be a member but I signed up using my NY Driver's License in about 90 seconds.

Played some Roulette and then checked out the poker room. They have these odd round tables but had a 1-2 Pound game running as well as the latter stages of a tournament.

Looks like they are also doing some promotional stuff with the WSOP.

In addition, FWIW, I also played in Dublin at the Fitzwilliam card club. More like a trypical club than a casino but cool nonetheless.

zoneblitz · #10 09-07-2007, 10:33 PM

Going to London in October, staying with a buddy in the Chelsea area. Looks like The Vic and Empire are fairly close (google maps), so I plan on checking them out.

My question is....since I will probably be going by myself later in the evening (after I'm done with tourist crap with the wife), how safe is it to travel via subway or otherwise after a night of poker (hopefully w/ some pounds in my pocket)?

Thanks for any info...