Poker in Chicago

[domer2]

I saw there have been topics here and there about poker in Chicago, but I'm trying to hone down my questions a bit for more specific information.

I'm flying in tomorrow (for ND game) and looking to play live with my buddy who lives south of Chicago this weekend. He is kind of averse to playing live due to the rakes.

So what exactly are the rakes like?
What are the best poker rooms in Chicago in terms of rakes/quality of the casino/busy-ness of the casino?
What are the busiest stakes in NL in terms of action (1/2? 2/5? higher?) and the best places to play NL?

I'm used to playing in SoCal Indian casinos with a $4 straight rake per hand in $1/3NL and $2/$5NL and in Vegas casinos with moderate rakes. What should I expect as far as rake differences in the more popular poker rooms? How are the players generally speaking? If it's just the same 40 regulars showing up every weekend shootin' the hsit while donking it off to the rake week after week, probably not my type of deal.

My buddy is more leaning towards me hooking up my laptop and us just playing online. So trying to find out the best places to play and whether it's even worth it to play to begin with.

[jmxthievez]

Chicago poker rooms are ok, theyre crap compared to any real cardroom in vegas or even in AC. The rake is probably pretty standard. The player pool there is generally really really bad and you can def beat it. But if youre playing 1-2 it's hard to make a good chunk of money. They don't offer 2-5 at resorts where I play its just 1-2 and 5-10. If you are in between those stakes and want to play for money and not for enjoyment, you'd probably be better off grinding online. But if youre going to get drunk and have a good time, then go for it.

[jacksquat]

last time i played at majestic, about 4 or 5 weeks ago, they were charging $7 dollar per half hour rake. they only had one 2/5nl going and it was never a full table. this was on a saturday when they had heartland poker tournament qualifiers going on. the rake in chicagoland is higher then most other places i have played.

[cybin]

Current rake for Majestic Star is 10% of pot up to $5/hand + a $1 BBJ drop on all games (except the $1000 max NL table(s) which only spread on the weekend if at all). There is no rake unless there is a flop but I don't know if this applies to the BBJ drop. The time charge for 1/2 and 2/5NL was replaced by rake in early July, and they just added the BBJ drop on the NL games earlier this month.

[Poker_is_Hard]

[ QUOTE ]
Chicago poker rooms are ok, theyre crap compared to any real cardroom in vegas or even in AC. The rake is probably pretty standard. The player pool there is generally really really bad and you can def beat it. But if youre playing 1-2 it's hard to make a good chunk of money. They don't offer 2-5 at resorts where I play its just 1-2 and 5-10. If you are in between those stakes and want to play for money and not for enjoyment, you'd probably be better off grinding online. But if youre going to get drunk and have a good time, then go for it.

[/ QUOTE ]
How does that 5-10 game play lately. Mostly Regs?