Poker near Irvine, CA

[cneely]

I'm a Canadian, going to Irvine on business from Tuesday through to Friday. I'll be working during the days, but the evenings are mine. I'm simply looking for a way to pass the evenings, some smallish buy in tournaments would be great.


I'm staying at a place called the Atrium near John Wayne airport, and don't know the area very well. Are the any casinos that hold nightly tournaments near there?

[masman21]

Near is a relative term. The closest cardroom is Hawaiian Gardens. They have nightly tournaments. Then The Bicycle and Commerce Casinos are about equally far from Irvine. However, The Bike is running Big Oktober right now so the buy-ins are $200+. The Commerce has daily tournaments but are both $200 multi rebuy and in the afternoon I believe. The Bike and Commerce are much nicer places but Gardens is maybe more convenient and cheaper. Hope that helps. All are in LA County and are 15+ miles from John Wayne.

BTW, from John Wayne, 405N to 605N for HG, 405N to 605N to 5N for Commerce, 405N to 705N for The Bike.

[cneely]

Thanks Mas.
I assume each will also spread some low limit?
I'd play $1-$2 or $2-4 if I can't get into a tournament.

[davidlong14]

HG, Bike & Commerce are closest...HOWEVER, it's +/- an hour's drive each way, depending on traffic which can be nightmarish...

[sternroolz]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Mas.
I assume each will also spread some low limit?
I'd play $1-$2 or $2-4 if I can't get into a tournament.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm assuming you have a rental car?

I can't imagine what a cab ride from John Wayne to HG costs.

[Russ Fox]

I live in Irvine, so be aware that you will face very bad traffic going to any of the cardrooms after work (5 pm). The traffic out of Irvine starts to load up around 3:30pm.

From where you're staying (the Atrium Hotel), the closest cardroom is Hawaiian Gardens (I-405 North to I-605 North; exit Carson St). Plan on an hour heading there.

By the way, to head to the Bike is I-405N to I-710N. At rush hour, plan on about 1.25 hours to the Bike or Commerce.

-- Russ Fox

[Frond]

Or you can head south to Oceans 11. No night tourneys going on but it is not a bad drive from the Irvine area.

[cneely]

I do have a rental, and wouldn't go during rush hour. Sometime after dinner, 7-8 or so.

How far is Oceans 11?

[budblown]

Oceans 11 is about an hour with no traffic. If you're planning on going to Hawaiian Gardens after 7 you might be ok but I would stay away from the 405 freeway until atleast 8. From Irvine take the 5 North to 22 West to 605 North that way you avoid the traffic. HG has short stacked NL, only 20 BB, no higher no lower (well technically you can short buy for 10BB) at 1/2 and 2/3.

[cneely]

20 BB?
So it's pretty much wait for a hand, then move in?