Potowatami - weekday mornings?

[kcmoore]

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When might this trip report be posted? [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

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sorry for the delay. 2+2 and poker is only a small part of my life (sucks to be me, i know). [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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So I was able to go on Tuesday. I called in and put my name on the list at around 8:15 AM. I arrived about an hour later and checked in. I had put myself on the list for 4/8, 6/12, and 10/20 (they were running an interest list only) along with 3/5 NL, and 5/10 NL (again an interest list only).


At that time, there was 1 Stud, 1 2/4, 1 4/8, 1 6/12 and 2 3/5NL tables.


I only had to wait about 10 minutes to get to a table. It was 3/5 NL....ugh..I really wasn't in the mood for NL, but I played since it beat watching the bingo players in the "Nest of Life" hall.

The table was composed of all regulars, which I expected for a weekday. Most of the people were weak-tights. There were 2 guys that were pretty good, and one guy played LAGgy. It was one of those tables that people don't bluff at, so it was pretty easy to know where you stood. Played a few orbits and was down about $50. The people at the table were not in a talkative mood, execpt for one MILFy (for a poker room) lady. No money to be made at the table, unless I wanted to GAMBOOL! I wasn't in the mood to try marginal plays.

After about 30 minutes a spot at the 6/12 LHE opened up and I moved. The table had a much better "personality". Again, almost all regulars. No hot women though [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] A couple of them were there for the 30/60 that was going to start at noon. The table was not that loose, no pre-flop caps, just 1 3-bet PF while I was there. However the post flop action was a bit better than I expected. Many 3-bets and a couple of caps. I saw a couple of $400 pots while I was there. Too bad I didn't catch any of that.

Around 11:30, I got up and walked around for about 20-30 minutes to stretch my legs. Railbirded a the other 3/5NL, which was much looser and looked a lot more fun. Too bad the wait list by this time was about 20 people. I also watched a couple of the 2/4 and 4/8 games. Donkfests. No one folds, hoping to catch a miracle card.

It's now a little after noon and they start up the 30/60 Limit game. 9 out of the 10 people are from Chicago. They actually have about 15 people on the interest list, so around 1 PM they open a 2nd 30/60, albeit a short-handed one. I really wanted to play in that game but alas I wasn't rolled for it. I also don't know if it was a must-move or not, since none of the 30/60 players on the 1st table busted out by the time I left at 4PM. The 30/60 players all played a TAG game. There was a fair amount of bluffing during the rounds, but then again, I would expect that. Pretty solid (aka borking) players, no live straddles that I saw, no preflop caps. Still it would be a thrill to play, just to liven it up [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

FYI - The room is now packed. Only 2 tables are not in use. The room is now spreading all limits from 2/4 to 6/12 (but no 10/20 [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] ) They also opened up a 3rd, and then I think a 4th 3/5 NL table. The wait list on all tables was over 15 on each, with the 4/8 and 3/5NL having the most (mid to high 20's)

The dealers in the room were all very good. No mistakes seen all day. A couple of the younger kids are very fast dealers. I tipped them extra just because of it.

The floor guys were all very nice. They had 3 of them going by 1 PM. We didn't have any issues at the 6/12 that required their presence, other than a ShuffleMaster that ocassionally did not want to work. I also didn't notice any arguments breaking out in the room while I was there, so I can't comment on how good/bad on how I think the floor people handle rulings.


One thing that I noticed is that there was no smoke odor in the room. It is a non-smooking room normally, but usually you can still smell the smoke from the regular casino in the room. At the end of the day, your clothes still smell like you have been smoking. On tuesday there was none of that. That was very pleasant.




Overall, not a bad room to play in, if you like the lower limits. To my untrained eye, if you are looking for loose players to get some money from I didn't see too many during the morning. just a bunch of degenerates skipping out on work (like I did). Afternoon is a different story, but it looks like if you want to not be on a wait list for over an hour (or longer), get there no later than 10:30 or 11 AM.

[Nuevo99]

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They only have Omaha on Tues and Wed. Eventhough they recently expanded their room, there are still wait lines and they hardly use 1/2 of their 17 new tables. The usually have 3/5 NL, 5/10, 4/8, 2/4 and 1-5 7-card limit.

Once in awhile they'll have 10/20+ limit, but only once in awhile. Parking is a bitch. Can you tell I dislike the place?

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Yep we can tell. If magoo can come around, why cant you? :-)

Actually they have 3/6 as well. They are trying to kill it but it's still running strong.

They have also had 5/10 NL lately. And they have 6/12 (they havent had 5/10 for months). 10/20 and 15/30 are run on special times like the omaha games used to be (like on high noon on Saturday), but there have been times Ive seen it on other days if there is enough interest. (like once in awhile a table of 6/12 players will vote to make it 10/20)

If you are there on a peak time, way more than half the tables will be going with some game, so Im not sure what this guy is talking about. (and it's 15 tables)

Ive been there on weekday mornings as well and there have been times (usually past 10am though) that it's been pretty hopping as well.

The wait is usually 2 hours, but you can call in 2 hours ahead of time. Rarely is it much more than that, where in the past it could of been 3,4,5 hours.

I think they do this on purpose, it's the only way they can get away with spreading that many games with as few tables as they have.

Also the new room is pretty nice. Especially compared to the old room which was a hole.

And survailence has been cracking down on them to follow the rules in a uniform manner which makes it more likely to have as many mishaps as they had in the past. (where one floor guy rules one thing and another floor guy rules another)

Ive heard storys about other midwest casinos and I cant imagine there is a perfect one anywhere near here (including the Pot) so if you live anywhere around here I dont see what you can have to complain about.

[Nuevo99]

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Afternoon is a different story, but it looks like if you want to not be on a wait list for over an hour (or longer), get there no later than 10:30 or 11 AM.

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I feel this way as well. Over the past few weeks while being on vacation or skipping out of work Ive arrived there around 10:30 or so (usually called in around 8:30), and I could tell that it was just getting packed then and if I would of gotten there eariler I probally would of gotten pretty quick without even calling in. (quick to me is like an hour compared to my usual 2 hours)

Usually everytime they started opening more tables around 1030 or so just to make up for the flow, plus that seems to be when the extra dealers show up.

kcmoore, did they have 3/6 eventually while you were there? I last played there last Saturday and they still had it (4 tables with 4 tables of 2/4), but I noticed sometimes in the morning they have been trying to kill it by having 4 2/4 tables, with only 2 3/6 tables if any at all.

I know a lot of people dont care, but Im just interested. I guess if I knew all the 3/6 players were going to 4/8 and now it had 3 or 4 tables running I wouldnt care, but I would hate if all the sudden there are a ton of 2/4 tables and only one 4/8 table.

If you want to see any reasonable piddly amount of money you need complete idiots playing and some of those guys that are casino regulars are actually tight players who just happen to play 3/6. (and they tend to show up there everyday and collect when there is only table)

At a higher limit Im sure they are still great because you are taking more money from them by just playing better poker but at the low limits I dont think the advantage you have versus what is happening with the rake is in your favor.

[MrGo]

I haven't been in awhile so I am probably off with the tables and other info.

"And survailence has been cracking down on them to follow the rules in a uniform manner which makes it more likely to have as many mishaps as they had in the past."

They should already be following the rules, if they have any. On several occasions I have heard two different rulings on the same matter. Most of their staff know nothing about running a poker room. And yeah, any room would look good compared to the old one. But why cafeteria yellow? Nasty.

[Nuevo99]

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I haven't been in awhile so I am probably off with the tables and other info.

"And survailence has been cracking down on them to follow the rules in a uniform manner which makes it more likely to have as many mishaps as they had in the past."

They should already be following the rules, if they have any. On several occasions I have heard two different rulings on the same matter. Most of their staff know nothing about running a poker room. And yeah, any room would look good compared to the old one. But why cafeteria yellow? Nasty.

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The point is they are correcting those sorts of things. In other words you cant complain about what has happened in the past if they fix it now.

As far as the yellow, I didnt even notice what color the walls were.

Id like to know, what other casinos around here do you frequent? Where are you driving from?

I'll admit the room was HORRIBLE before, but it's actually not too bad now. Even a guy that also previously hated it suggested in his last article "that it is the best in the midwest". I think some people just like to hold a grudge and feel bad, a typical person from Wisconsin.

It's like the guy who stood out of Best Buy everyday for 8 months cold, hot, rain or shine, because he couldnt return some item for $30. (he had a big sign that said "You'll get the shaft at best buy")

[kcmoore]

nuevo99 - yes, 3/6 was still running. not in the morning but in the afternoon. I am not 100% sure how many tables they had of 3/6 by the time i left. I don't play less than 4/8, so I don't watch the 3/6 or 2/4 tables that much.

10/20 is probably run when they have 15+ people on the interest list. I know it is run on Fri and Sat nights, usually after 6 PM.

I haven't seen a 15/30 game yet. I am probably going at the wrong time. A 15/30 game would be nice. I should visit more often [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

And it's funny about the walls, I have never noticed the color either. I couldn't tell you if the were yellow or white or some other color. Next time I am there I will look at them.

Parking doesn't seem that bad. Granted i am a degenerate gambler and I get there early enough to park in the garage. On Friday nights, it looks like half of Milwaukee is coming to the place for bingo and the buffet and other restaurants. The garage gets full fast. You will have to park in the lots if you arrive after 5PM on Fridays. I have parked in some of the lots before and while it can be little hike to get to the skybridge, its pretty easy to find a parking spot.

I really can't complain about the poker room at all. I met a guy from Detroit who told me that Motor City was 10x better than the Pot. Based on his description of the place, I believe him on that. However, I do think that the Pot is the best place around within 1 1/2 hour driving distance. Its about 65 miles and a reverse commute for me door-to-door.

[Nuevo99]

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nuevo99 - yes, 3/6 was still running. not in the morning but in the afternoon. I am not 100% sure how many tables they had of 3/6 by the time i left. I don't play less than 4/8, so I don't watch the 3/6 or 2/4 tables that much.

10/20 is probably run when they have 15+ people on the interest list. I know it is run on Fri and Sat nights, usually after 6 PM.

I haven't seen a 15/30 game yet. I am probably going at the wrong time. A 15/30 game would be nice. I should visit more often [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

And it's funny about the walls, I have never noticed the color either. I couldn't tell you if the were yellow or white or some other color. Next time I am there I will look at them.

Parking doesn't seem that bad. Granted i am a degenerate gambler and I get there early enough to park in the garage. On Friday nights, it looks like half of Milwaukee is coming to the place for bingo and the buffet and other restaurants. The garage gets full fast. You will have to park in the lots if you arrive after 5PM on Fridays. I have parked in some of the lots before and while it can be little hike to get to the skybridge, its pretty easy to find a parking spot.

I really can't complain about the poker room at all. I met a guy from Detroit who told me that Motor City was 10x better than the Pot. Based on his description of the place, I believe him on that. However, I do think that the Pot is the best place around within 1 1/2 hour driving distance. Its about 65 miles and a reverse commute for me door-to-door.

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I think not noticing the color of the walls says something. :-)

Actually when I said 15/30, I might of gotten that confused with 30/60, it's hard to get used to them running that big of a game there.

Parking was never a problem for me in the structure or otherwise, but when I call in, I allow 30 minutes just in case. (but I live close enough where I can get away with that)

Last week though I was running late, circled around the first few levels of the garage a few times, and gave up and parked in the lot with 10 minutes to go before my name disapeared. I basically sprinted as fast as I could (outside at least) and just barely made it.

Ive heard that some of the casinos at the Motor City have a higher rake and have that $1 drop for the bad beat jackpot. But obviously for some people that's not a big deal, it's just something I wouldnt be interested in.

(and then again I play low limit so an extra $1 or $2 is horrid)

[mblax10]

What are the Min/Max buy-ins on each of the NL games?

Do the 10/20 and 5/10 NL always run on the weekends?

Is Angel still dealing? I think she's one of the best in the area.

[kcmoore]

I'm not sure, but i think that 3/5 is $300/$600, 5/10 is $500/$1200. Someone who plays NL there more than I can conifrm it though.

Every Friday/Sat night that I have been there, the 10/20LH and 5/10NL have been spread. Get there early, put your name on the interest list and play some lower limits while you wait.

I have not seen anyone named Angel there, but I mostly know the morning/afternoon (till 4-5pm) dealers.

[pokerbratwurst]

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It's like the guy who stood out of Best Buy everyday for 8 months cold, hot, rain or shine, because he couldn't return some item for $30. (he had a big sign that said "You'll get the shaft at best buy")

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Give me a wave next time you see me! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]