Commerce ?'s

[oceans11kid]

Long Beach all the way. LAX sucks ***

[Spidar]

As has been said, there is plenty for the gf and baby to do in LA. Poker-wise, I think the 40/80 is boring and rocky.
(caveat: I have about 200 hours playing the game) I recommend the 20/40 (1000+ hours). As a good player you'll make more money in 3 hours as opposed to gringing for 5 or 6 at the 40. As to the bigger game, I have no idea.

[Rottersod]

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hollywood blvd is 15 minutes away..

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at 2 am, yes. During the day or evening, no.

[sublime]

brian-

i can vouch for long beach airport being so much easier to deal with than LAX.

[andyfox]

LAX and Long Beach are about the same distance- and time-wise, once you get out of the airport. But LAX is crowded and a mess, Long Beach, small and easier to negotiate. I'm with the consensus favoring Long Beach if you have a choice.

There are usually multiple 40-80 games going during the week, often only one 60-120 and 100-200; sometimes a 200-400. (I'm talking daytime here). 40-80 is raked, $5/pot if there's a turn card, $4 if just a flop, $1 from the small blind if chopped/no flop. The bigger games are collection pots, $12/player in the 60-120, $13 in the 100-200. Food is free, although mediocre; most people tip $5 for a meal.

The Crowne Plaza is at the casino, also mediocre, about what you'd expect from a Crowne Plaza. There's an outlet shopping mall down the street; otherwise nothing for the 2 y/o and g/f, it's an industrial area right next to the freeway. Get a car and then there's lot of places to take them in the L.A. area.

The Bike is nearby, but it doesn't have nearly the action as Commerce for limit.

[fishyak]

IMO, a 2 y/o is a little young for the theme park thing. Museums aren't likely to be big either. We know what you are doing for "fun" (POKER!!!!) So that you have a relationship to come back to, what are THEY going to do?

1) It really does not matter where you fly-in; you'll need a car, maybe two some days! So fly in to LB if you can. Much better airport than LAX, particularly with a small one in tow.

2) Figure out a geographic center for what your g/f and kid are going to do and stay there. YOU travel to poker. (I speak as a Dad who has managed to stay married for 25+ years.)

3) The beach can be REALLY GREAT this time of year, particularly if the Santa Ana winds come up. You'll have the beach to yourselves and 80 degree temps. So if you can find a good B&B in South Bay, (redondo or mahattan beach) you aren't sentencing the family to hell while you go play. And if you take the car, but their stuff is walkable, you are also cool.

Good luck. This kind of mixed trip with g/f and little one is fraught with peril.

[millerlolife]

if you play 40-80, you'll be playing at the best games in the entire universe

[DeuceKicker]

Good advice all around, fishyak.

[Rottersod]

[ QUOTE ]
IMO, a 2 y/o is a little young for the theme park thing. Museums aren't likely to be big either. We know what you are doing for "fun" (POKER!!!!) So that you have a relationship to come back to, what are THEY going to do?

1) It really does not matter where you fly-in; you'll need a car, maybe two some days! So fly in to LB if you can. Much better airport than LAX, particularly with a small one in tow.

2) Figure out a geographic center for what your g/f and kid are going to do and stay there. YOU travel to poker. (I speak as a Dad who has managed to stay married for 25+ years.)

3) The beach can be REALLY GREAT this time of year, particularly if the Santa Ana winds come up. You'll have the beach to yourselves and 80 degree temps. So if you can find a good B&B in South Bay, (redondo or mahattan beach) you aren't sentencing the family to hell while you go play. And if you take the car, but their stuff is walkable, you are also cool.

Good luck. This kind of mixed trip with g/f and little one is fraught with peril.

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That's really good advice. The beach is fantastic this time of year.

[buddypup]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, if you have time between poker you can take your gf and kid to Oak Glen which is about 1.5 hours east of LA. It's Apple season there and they have pick-em yourself orchards which cater to young kids. It's a fun day trip.

Oak Glen

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just made me laugh for some reason. LA is a big city, you can do all sorts of weird stuff, like ride a donkey down the Malibu cliffs. I have lived here for 11 years, and never heard of the Oak Glen.
Umm....there are beaches are nice weather here.