The casino I frequent is drying up...

[Rick Nebiolo]

...the bar at Hawaiian Gardens on what should be a slow period (in this case last (Monday) night just before midnight) and watch the twenty tables they squeeze in that little space in action.

My observation is that this is the most successful Los Angeles card club at spreading low fixed buy NL games. By successful I mean these games are a higher percentage of the clubs total action and the tables in the section are utilized more heavily than any other section in Los Angeles (and it isn't close).

Of course the structures are what most on this forum disdain. The "big game" is 1-2 blinds with a $40 fixed buy and the small game is 1-1 blinds with a $20 fixed buy! All I can say is that this structure along with the party atmosphere takes the fear out of playing but keeps the fun in. The combination of the bar, the young staff, the fast chip runners and general level of goofiness keeps it packed almost all the time. That can't be said of the equivalent section in the Commerce or any other club (except perhaps the Hustler, which simply doesn't have enough tables).

Las Vegas cardroom managers really need to take a look at this as the crowds in their deep stack games dwindle. While at the bar stick to those extra cold 16 ounce beers served in the aluminum bottles; for mixed drinks I think HG is too careful on the pour.

~ Rick