LL $125 Sunday Tournament - Relaxed and Enjoyable

[Wynner]

This Sunday I went deep and had a great time playing the tournament at LL so I thought I would post a review for those of you who haven't had a chance to try the new 'dealer-dealt' tournaments.

The new tournaments are run in the glassed off 'VIP' area which limits the max number of entries to 40, and although a bit cramped makes for a nice quiet atmosphere and discourages spectators. The Sunday tournament affords each player some extra chips (7500) compared to Tues and Thurs, which is appreciated because while the blinds are fair (a slightly modified WSOP structure is posted and strictly adhered to) at 20 mins each the levels move FAST. Having said that it was 7:15 when we finished playing (started at 2:00) and I was pretty anxious to get into the juicy cash games that crop up as people bust from the tournament. So while some may grumble about the quick structure it seems to me I wouldn't want to play any longer in a hundred dollar tourney; playing 5 hours and NOT making the money or just barely doubling the entry for 6th wouldn't seem like a better deal to me.

The tournament director and floor people have a good handle on things and overall the tournament I played ran very smoothly. I would be remiss however if I didn't mention in this review that the dealers unfortunately aren't as strong. Some are doing a good job, but some are obviously inexperienced. I would hope this will all improve in time and hate to nitpick but in a tournament where the blinds move so quickly and you are anxious to play as many hands per level as possible each small delay seems more serious. On the plus side there are plenty of watchful floor staff on hand and they are quick to correct these minor dealer errors.

Also, be aware that there is a no cell phones rule for all tournaments and it is very rigidly enforced. At least two players in my tournament received 1 orbit penalties for pulling out their phones. Curiously one player was repeatedly permitted to curse, even using the F bomb towards a dealer, right in front of floor staff! While this was a surprise to me, as the F bomb is an automatic penalty in every tournament I have played, this seemed consistent with LL lax policies on table etiquette.

While it is easy to point out the few minor problems, I have to say that overall I really enjoyed the tournament. The private room makes for a nice relaxed and friendly atmosphere (though I do look forward to the tournament moving onto the floor and accommodating more players), and although the buyins are a little lower than I would like while the staff take their time gauging interest for these tournaments, they have already scheduled a $240 tournament for this month (in the meantime last longer bets are a good way to add some excitement). I would encourage anyone who hasn't tried these tournaments yet to play one and let the staff (who are very open to feedback) know what you think, especially if you would be interested in some larger buyins down the road. So far every tournament has sold out, so be sure to arrive at least an hour before start to register, or phone ahead because they do accept credit card registration.

[JoTigidou]

Some of the dealers there will always be clueless because they don't give a damn about poker... cool review.

[qihu00]

How did you find the level of play and how did you finish?

[Wynner]

Like any tournament, especially those with smaller buyins, the LL tournaments attract mostly recreational players. I would say the level of play was quite low, but again most people were just playing for fun. A few of the 2-5 regulars entered (I had 3 $100 last longers and all 4 of us made the final table LOL) but as I have said before, being a regular does not make you a good player.

Of course there were a few, especially at the end, who knew what they were doing, but I am confident if you were to play your edge would be apparent throughout.

I had a 4-1 chip lead on Canadien, refused to make a deal, and finished 2nd

[burrhead6]

when do these sell out ?

or can u usally get in within 30 mins of tournie ?

[Wynner]

So far every tournament has sold out, so be sure to arrive at least an hour before the start to register, or phone ahead because they do accept credit cards for registration.

[burrhead6]

So far every tournament has sold out, so be sure to arrive at least an hour before the start to register, or phone ahead because they do accept credit cards for registration.

Thanks

looking forward to trying one of these

[Hardball47]

I really wish they had a better, longer structure for the Sunday tournament.

Also, they need to better train their dealers. There are many of them that still talk strategy at the table and make comments about the hands right after a pot is won. Worse still, they don't say a word when players talk about the hand in play. Table talk remains a major problem.

It gets really bad sometimes. The flop comes one-tone in a multi-way pot, some idiot blurts out, "who's got the ace," and the dealer acts like everything is in order. I wonder how many pots have actually been affected by table talk with the dealer not taking action.

[Wynner]

I hope and believe they will structure the tournaments better once they increase the buyins. Otherwise the structures aren't bad... remember that on Tues and Thursday its only an $80 buyin.

Otherwise your concerns about table talk are valid

[zachjackdad]

I think 5+ hours for a $125 tournament is plenty long enough. I hope to get to one of these at some point soon.

[LE CANADIEN]

Like any tournament, especially those with smaller buyins, the LL tournaments attract mostly recreational players. I would say the level of play was quite low, but again most people were just playing for fun. A few of the 2-5 regulars entered (I had 3 $100 last longers and all 4 of us made the final table LOL) but as I have said before, being a regular does not make you a good player.

Of course there were a few, especially at the end, who knew what they were doing, but I am confident if you were to play your edge would be apparent throughout.

I had a 4-1 chip lead on Canadien, refused to make a deal, and finished 2nd

 
ship the cookies Peter piper!!! lolll  you can have your revenge next sunday!!  Make a deal next time im lucky and now you know it for sure!!

[PokerKid]

CANADIEN u r such a luck box. I heard about how well u ran and raising blind with JJ. Good game by the way. See u Sunday.