Hard Rock Casino, Tampa FL

[Esection]

It is most likely that i will be there on this Friday.

What kinds of games/limits do they spread?

Any good tournaments / SNGS?

How soft / profitable are these games / SNGS?

Any comments would be much appreciated.

[VOX]

Florida law, which governs the Seminoles, limits all bets in cash games to $2, max 4 bets per round. Thus, the Hard Rock spreads hold'em, Omaha8, and 7Stud @ $1/$2, $2 on all streets, and $2 on all streets w/ a $2 ante. You might make $100 in a sitting, if you get hot.

Two or 3 multi-table tourneys a day, one will be a $50 + rebuys NLHE at like 10AM, and I think that's the only one that runs on Fridays. 6-10 tables, butter soft.

SNGs are $100+$20, $200+$25, $500+$35 and $1000+$50 NLHE. Standard 50%/30%/20% payout, but 1st place is docked $50, for some reason. Supposedly the structure is terrible, but also it's said you can sometimes just fold into the money, because the play is so terrible.

The room is now smoke free! Drinks are not free, as this is not a real casino. Those aren't real slot machines, just video bingo with slot-machine entertainment. You'll have no problems on the casino property, but you're not in the best area of town.

Enjoy your stay in the Tampa Bay area. Here's hoping you win enough cash to pay for a night at Mons.

[VOX]

Oh, yeah, if you do decide to play the cash games, look out - it's no-fold'em hold'em, unlike anything you've seen in Vegas or AC. This game makes drunken $2-$4 at the MGM Grand look like a rock garden. Every hand sees a showdown. Every. Single. Hand.

[Jeff_B]

VOX is right on.
I havent played any tourneys there though.

Drinks are insane... $5.50 for a beer (import but still)
Smoke free is very nice as I couldnt see after an hour in there before due to smoke... my friend who smokes a pack a day was complaining about it.

the $2 cap on all bets makes for a showdown every hand.
Games are somewhat enjoyable but vegas seemed more exciting .. but I have never gone on a friday night. The wait seems longs.

[KingJackOff]

I've never played at Tampa, but Vox's description sounds word for word of the Hard Rock in FT Lauderdale. Did see Twan Le there last Friday night though.

[Joshfl]

I played on Monday night in the $100+20 tourney.. got busted by Orel Hershiser's brother! Orel and Kenny Rogers (ballplayer, not the singer) were there donating their millions via $225/$535 tourney's.

Structure-
T1500
Blinds start 25/50 up every 10 hands
lot of table talk and verbal intimidation and collusion

For the value, start with the $225.

Good luck!

[dozer]

[ QUOTE ]
I've never played at Tampa, but Vox's description sounds word for word of the Hard Rock in FT Lauderdale. Did see Twan Le there last Friday night though.

[/ QUOTE ]

There is NO way Tuan Le is playing $2/$2 limit hold em at the Hard Rock in FTL.

[RydenStoompala]

The entire State of Florida (except Miami) sucks dead whales.

[xile]

Well I went to play cash games at the Hard Rock tonight. Ive only played at Derby lane before and I just played in their tourneys. I wasnt happy the moment I sat down at the table. It took me 1:40 mins to get in. Now i figured it would be a long wait because its saturday night. I called beforehand and the brush stand said the wait would probably not even be an hour. So I purchase $60 in chips, sit down and they ask how long I have been waiting. I told them over an 1 1/2 and they are all like your kidding this seat has been open forever. Didnt please me to well.

Well it took awhile before I played hand, then I finally got pocket 2's. I flop a set and theres like 6 of us in the pot. Turn comes and the board pairs so I have a full house. Ended up being about 4 people at the showdown. ( people wont fold for anything)Needless to say I took down a nice pot. Things were looking good from there, but nope. I played really tightly and just watched at the idiotic play in front of me. Finally when I would get A10,AJ,AK, nothing would hit on the flop, then if something did I would be beat by people playing any 2 hands just cause its a buck or 2 to stay in the hand.

Everyone at my table seemed to be new 2 to the game. 2 of them were definately new, and one admitted it was his first time playing hold-em. I think to win here you have to chase the straights and flushes, or just play any 2 cards and hope for 2 pair. I seen pocket AA's loose a lot.

I only wound up loosing 20 bucks, but I was dissapointed from how well I started out. Just thought I would share my experience here. I think Ill try the Derby lane Cash games before I give up on them here in Florida. I might just start playing the STT at the Hard Rock since the payout is A LOT better than derby lanes.

/End Rant

[candyman718]

I've played the $2 no foldem holdem 5 times in S.Florida. 3 times at racetraks, twice at Indian Casinos. I've won every time . Average is +$80. When you know 6 people are going to see the flop and you will get shown down every hand you just have to play differently.