Mandalay Bay's "Romper Room"

As the astute reader can surmise from my previous blog: "I truly believe that Mandalay Bay has carried this Poker Room Rules thing to the extreme." At some point in time a poker room manager must treat it's patrons as adults rather than blathering little children who must be led by their hand every step of the way. Don't get me wrong, some (in fact, I would say most) rules are necessary for a smoothly run poker room. By clearly stating what kinds of play and conduct will be or not be tolerated, a room can greatly enhance the enjoyment of the game for the casual, non-professional player. However, Mandalay Bay appears to have tried to set rules for every move or form of conduct found at a poker table. They have not been able to grasp the concept that: "While rules and codes of conduct are necessary for a smoothly run game, the over extension of these rules can reverse the desired effect for which these rules were designed to accomplish." A vast amount of rules can burden, even intimidate an average player, making his play less enjoyable instead of more.

The following two rules, which are unique to the Mandalay Bay Poker Room, illustrates this point. The first is a rule that I have previously discussed, concerns how they handle the blinds in their "half kill" game. A half kill game is when a player wins 2 hands in a row and the limits are increased by 50% for the next hand. In a $4 - $8 limit hold-em game the limits go up to $6 - $12, with the winning player having to post a blind 50% higher than the normal big blind regardless of his/her position. In every other poker room in town, the player posting the biggest blind is given the option to be the last to act before the flop. But NOT at Mandalay Bay, there the person posting the most money before the flop must act in turn. When I asked the poker room manager why Mandalay Bay was the only room in town to have such a rule, the "Romper Room" mentality raised it's ugly head. I was told that : "It is less confusing." Intuitively this rule makes no sense. If a person is forced to post 50% more than the big blind before he/she even sees their cards, they should at least be given the opportunity to be the last to act before the flop. What I failed to do was after receiving the above answer to my initial question, I should have followed-up with: "Less confusing to who? The player or dealer?"

The other rule which I just recently observed and is the reason for this blog, concerns "straddling". It is similar to the previous rule in that it also involves the posting of the biggest blind before the flop. A "straddle" is a blind posted by the player immediately next to the big blind, and is usually double the big blind, or the amount of the first limit bet plus the big blind. By straddling, the player is given the option of being the last person to act. The reasons for a straddle are numerous and wide ranging, but basically a person straddles to loosen up a tight game and/or to "show-off."

This past weekend, while doing "research" for a request made be one of my legion of fan, I found myself in a $2 - $4 limit hold-em game at Mandalay Bay. The game had only one blind for $2, the amount of the first 2 limit bets. About an hour into the game I decided to straddle (I'll leave it up to the reader to determine my motive) and post $4 before the cards were dealt. After the hand was dealt, a player positioned about half way around the table decided to teach me a lesson and raised my straddle.*

*WRITER'S NOTE: At this point in time, I am going to introduce yet another new feature to "Poker Tales from VegasSheep" called: "You make the call."

How much do you think the player raised? Remember, you are in a $2 - $4 LIMIT game. If you had said $2 for a total bet of $6, you would be WRONG! Not in the "Romper Room" mentality of Mandalay Bay. Although the player did try to raise $2, he was strongly reprimanded by the dealer and later by the floorman (which I eventually called over for a "final" ruling) that he had to raise $4, double my total post. After the initial shock of the ruling, I naturally reraised just to see how far they would carry forward this lunacy. To my disappointment, they would not let me make it a total bet of $16, instead I could only raise $4 for a total bet of $12. After the flop, I was the first to act and immediately bet $4. I'm sure some of you already know what is coming next. That's right, I was informed that I was in a $2 - $4 limit game, and the most I could bet was $2 after the flop.

If anyone can explain the logic behind this policy, please email me. I'm at a loss to figure what their rationale is for such an idiotic rule. Are they afraid that players might get confused if they could not raise the same amount as the blind, even thou it was a straddle and not technically a blind. My only consolation to this rule is that I am not the only one who doesn't know why this rule exists. I asked the floorman the rationale for his ruling and all he could say was: It's the rule."

So, Congratulations Mandalay Bay! You are the latest recipient of "What the @#$%& Were You Thinking Award", rules category. So, although rules are important in running an efficient poker room, you must have enough faith in your patrons to treat them as adults with sufficient gray matter to make logical decisions. Afterall the last time I looked, a person had to be at least 21 to gamble in a casino.

Back to Mandalay

Pursuant to a request made by one of my legion of fan: I, VegasSheep recently returned to play hold-em at the Mandalay Bay poker room. Since my last review, they have increased the number of tables in the room from 8 to 9. The room is naturally not as spacious, but the tables are still nicely spaced. As a player you do not get that cramp close-in feeling as you do in many other rooms.* Poker rooms in casinos which have tried to cash-in on the current poker boom by jamming additional tables into already existing space designed for a finite number of tables.

* WRITER'S NOTE: You may wish to reread this opening paragraph because it contains the most positive comment you will read about this room.

Like most of the major properties on the strip, the Mandalay poker room will spread almost any game for any limit with enough player interest. Ranging from $2 - $4 limit hold-em on up. The rake for their "live" games is 10% up to a maximum of $4 per pot. An additional $1 is taken out for their High Hand promotion which pays an added bonus to a player who gets a high hand of 4 of a kind or better using both of their hole cards. An interesting side note (at least I think it's interesting) to their rake is that Mandalay Bay is one of the very few casinos in town that still uses quarters in their low limit games. I guess they want to squeeze out as much rake as possible by not having to wait for the pot size to increase in $10 increments. Why not be able to rake $3.50 out of a $35 pot instead of only a miserable $3.00, which would be the case if the lowest denomination at the table were $1 chips.

In addition to "live" games, Mandalay Bay also spreads daily weekday hold-em tournaments. There morning 10:00 am tournament (Mon. thru Fri.) has an entry fee of $30, and there evening 6:00 pm tournament (Mon. thru Thurs.) has an entry fee of $60. Both tournaments are limited to 30 entrants and are freeze outs, meaning no rebuys, add-ons, or alternates are allowed. In the $30 tournament, $23 goes to the prize pool or roughly 77% of the entry fee. The remaining $7 (23%) is divided between the "house" and dealers. In the $60 tournament, $50 goes to the prize pool or roughly 83% of the entry fee. At the 10:00 am tournament the entrant receives $300 in tournament chips. The first hour is limit hold-em followed by no-limit for the remaining time. At the 6:00 pm tournament the entrant receives $500 in tournament chips and its no-limit from the start.

Small tournaments like the ones described above, are considered by most casinos as "feeders" to their "live" games. "Feeders" are low entry fee tournaments established to attract players to the room who would not normally play there in hopes of luring them into a "live" game once they get knocked out of the tournament. As described above; the house rake in a "live" game is 10% up to a maximum of $4 per pot.

Given their structure, it is rare that a tournament at Mandalay Bay lasts more than 2, 2 and 1/2 hours at most. And given the small amount of entrants allowed for a tournament in such a large property, unless a player is prepared to be in line when registration opens (3 hours before the start of the tournament) there is a good chance that he will not get into the tournament. So Mandalay Bay not only uses their tournaments as a "feeder" to their "live" games after the tournament, but also for games before the tournament. After registering unless a player decides to leave the property, or perhaps enjoy a $20 bacon and egg breakfast in their coffee shop, there is not much else to do between registration and the start of the tournament.

Another unique characteristic of the Mandalay Bay poker room is the amount of rules they have regarding player's behavior and acts of play. As I stated in my previous blog concerning how players act at the tables in the Orleans poker room, having strict rules on players conduct is not necessarily a bad thing. But Mandalay Bay carries this concept to the extreme. As I described in my blog last year when I first reviewed Mandalay Bay's poker room: "Mandalay Bay is the only poker room in town where a player needs Cliff notes to get through all the rules of the room." Well this statement is even more accurate today. Instead of easing up on the rules as more and more players become familiar with proper poker room conduct, Mandalay Bay has decided to implement more and stricter rules concerning player behavior and acts of play.**

** WRITER'S NOTE: My next blog will discuss two poker room rules that are unique to Mandalay Bay.

Finally to all of my faithful fan who thought I might have forgotten the "Mint Factor." Although Mandalay Bay has changed the packaging (new uniforms) the overall ambiance of the room has remained unchanged and still receives only a 3 Star rating. There is only so much fancy packaging a casino can do, but in order to get an excellent rating in the "Mint Factor" a room still needs a good pair of "ambiances" under that packaging. Afterall, this is a very serious and precise rating system and we cannot be swayed in our duty by mere packaging.

The Orleans

Ever wonder what a Las Vegas poker room use to be like before the Poker Boom? You know; "Poker B.C." (Before Computer). Well for those of you wanting to find out; head west from the strip, to the Orleans poker room. Recently I had the pleasure (?) of revisiting the room. My immediate impression was: "nothin has friggin changed since I use to play there on a semi-regular bases a few years back." Although physically the room has moved to a different part of the casino and has increased to 35 tables, the atmosphere of the room remains the same. While other poker rooms have (re)opened and/or tried to reinvent themselves in hopes of luring the "new generation" of poker player ( you know that "all-in" player from T.V.), the Orleans poker room seems to be quite content in staying in it's own little "time warp."

Basically the room will spread almost any game from $2 - $4 limit hold-em on up. The rake is 10% up to a maximum of $3 per pot with an additional $1 taken out for their "Bad Beat" jackpots. The different jackpots are divided into three separate categories; hold-em, omaha, and 7 card stud. The amount of each jackpot depends upon the amount of games spread and how often it is hit in a particular category.

However, what the Orleans is most noteworthy for is its daily tournaments. These tournaments are held twice a day, 12 noon and 7:00 pm. They consist of 3 limit hold-em, 3 omaha hi-lo, and 8 no-limit hold-em tournaments per week. They range from $40 buy-ins to a $125 buy-in no-limit tournament on Saturday night. Most allow rebuys and an add-on for the first hour. There are roughly 100 entrants per tournament.

Although the room itself has that old Vegas poker room atmosphere, the one uplifting feature is it's Mint Factor. I give the room a 3 and 1/2 star rating in this all-important category. During my recent visit there, I observed more than one pair of ambiances that gave rise to this high rating.

But what truly gives meaning to: "that old Vegas poker room atmosphere" are the players and dealers in the room. While the majority of dealers in the room seem competent, they also seem to be burnt-out. The main reason for this phenomena is the lack of support from floor room supervisors in dealing with the players, who in my opinion are the worse in Vegas. Although there are obvious exceptions, the Orleans poker room has to have the highest percentage of obnoxious players in town. They include, but are not limited to: the old-time player who believes he knows more than any of these young (under the age of Medicare) upstart punks, the bitter player who can't afford the bigger games in the fancy casinos because of constant bad luck, and the just down right obnoxious S.O.B. who even thou he has been kicked out of 2 or 3 other casino poker rooms, the Orleans is still one of the few remaining poker rooms who will allow him to play. Which brings us back to my original premise: it seems that the Orleans puts up with more rude, obscene, and general B.S. from it's players than any other casino in town. They do this in a number of ways, but most notably by not backing up their dealers when it comes to disciplining a truly obnoxious player at the table. I have seen behavior from one player to another that would not be tolerated at any other poker room in town. This includes abusive language directed not only to another player but to a dealer that is not merely overlooked, but condoned by floor personnel. It as if the inmates are running the asylum.

So if you want to experience that "old-time" feeling when most poker players were considered to be on the lower rung of casino gamblers, than the Orleans is definitely the place to go. In fact, if you are reading this blog in town or are planning to be in Vegas within the near future, this would be the perfect time to visit. Starting Sep. 8th the Orleans Arena will be hosting the Lipizzaner Stallions. Not only can you see the "horse's asses" playing in the poker room, but you can compare them to the real thing in the Arena.

T.I. Anyone?

You gotta love this town. The latest casino property to try to reinvent itself in the hopes of capturing a larger share of the tourist population, is the casino formerly known as Treasure Island. Adjacent to the Mirage, it was originally built by Wynn as a sister property that would specifically cater to the "family". It was built during the time when Vegas tried to become a "family destination" where the whole family could come and be entertained. Mercifully, the powers to be eventually realized that this was a terrible idea for a number of reasons (most notably that gaming revenue did not increase)and has slowly gone back to being an "adult playground." With the possible exception of one or two casinos (most notably, Circus Circus and Ex Caliber) the only family relationships now being encouraged in this town are of the "uncle, niece" type.

So with that in mind, a couple years back Treasure Island changed it's name to T.I. in hopes of luring more of that hip, what's happening, fun loving customer with lots of disposable income to their property. Their "marketers" thought that TI is a lot cooler name than Treasure Island. From in front of their casino; out went the Caribbean Pirate Theme show, and in came the "Sirens of the Caribbean." Basically the same show with less pirates, but more scantly clad wenches.

About 4 months ago TI continued with this trend by reopening a poker room on its property, which was previously closed by Treasure Island in the 90's. Their new poker room is located off the main hallway from their parking garage to the main casino floor. An added bonus to this location is that within the relatively short walking distance from the garage to the poker room is a Starbucks, Krispy Kremes and a Ben and Jerrys.

The poker room has 8 tables comfortably spaced in a moderately furnished room. The one major drawback I have with the physical properties of the room is in the lighting. I thought the overall lighting of the room was less than desirable with some areas worse than others. It perpetuates a gloomy atmosphere, and as any frequent poker player knows: "You don't need any outside forces to help make you feel gloomy when your losing."

The overall performance of the dealers and floor personnel is about average for a "strip property." However, as far as the "Mint Factor" goes" I'm afraid I can only give a 2 and 1/2 star rating to the TI poker room. A little below the strip property average of 3 stars. Thou to be fair, this low rating is based on a very limited sample. If through additional observations of other sets of ambiances a change in factor is warranted, please be assured that my legion of fan will be so notified.

The TI poker room basically spreads hold-em at 3 different limits in their "live" games. A $2 - $4 limit, a $4 - $8 limit, and a $1 - $3 blind no-limit game. In all of these games there is a 10% rake up to a maximum of $4.

Suprisingly given the small number of tables in the room, the TI spreads 3 daily tournaments. They are all no-limit hold-em tournaments with a $60 buy-in, at 4am, 11am, and 7pm. They will also spread $50 buy-in, One Table Sit and Go's at any time there are 10 people wanting to play. Discussion of these tournaments will be the subject of a future blog.

In the meantime, if you want to play poker at a property wanting to be on the cutting edge, go to the TI. If you just want to play at an older strip property, pretend its still Treasure Island. Or if you want to be really adventurous, bawdy even, or just down right obscene and chauvinistic add a TS to the current name, and pretend your playing there.

The Wynn ... A Gentler Time

It has been brought to my attention that my recent blogs have been somewhat on the negative side. Especially in my recent reviews of some poker rooms around town. Please let me assure all of my faithful fan that these criticisms were not part of some "master plan." I prefer to think of these reviews as just a recent string of bad luck I've had in picking rooms to review.

I believe the best way for me to reassure all of my faithful fan that these recent reviews were just a fluke in timing is to update last year's review of the Wynn poker room. As those faithful readers of this blog know: the Wynn poker room is the only room in town that has earned the coveted 4 and 1/2 star rating in the "Mint Factor." In a rating system based on 0 to 4 stars, a 4 and 1/2 star rating is an extraordinary accomplishment. To earn such a prestigious mark a poker room must not only display a great deal of ambiance, but package it in a tasteful and classy manner. Based upon my recent visits, the room (cocktail waitresses) have continued to maintain these "robust" standards. Their determination and dedication to these goals is truly awe inspiring. Let me put it to you this way: a 4 star rating signifies that you immediately want to have a meaningful and soul searching conversation with your cocktail server in hopes of marriage; at the Wynn with their 4 and 1/2 star rating, even if happily married with a wonderful family you are seriously tempted to drop the wife and kids for this opportunity.

The room is ideally located off to the side of the main corridor leading from the parking garage to the main casino. It is far enough away so a player is not subject to the constant noise and commotion usually found on a main casino floor. The poker room itself is richly decorated and when not overflowing with customers is quite comfortable. That is the one negative I found with the room: because of its popularity it is not uncommon to find a huge waiting list to get into almost any game they may spread in their 27 table room. Limits for their games range from $4 - $8 limit on up. They are a victim of their success. The only fault I can find with the room is that at times it can get overcrowded because of the number of people who want to play there.

On the whole, both the floor people and dealers are above average. I find them mostly to be friendly, courteous, and skillful in handling the game. The rake for their games is 10% up to a maximum of $4 per pot. No additional rake is taken for any special promotions. The max $4 pot rake is about average for Vegas.

The one sad note I found from my last visit to the Wynn poker room was that my favorite shift room manager had left their employ. Remember what I said about friendly, courteous, and skillful? She is all that and more. Her name is Kathleen and I heard she left the Wynn to take a job at the Oceanside Casino in California. If its true, the players in Oceanside are getting one class act.

Outplayed by a Vulcan

So you think you might get nervous if you found yourself at the same poker table with Daniel Negreanu, or Phil Hellmuth, or Howard Lederer, or any other top poker professional. Based upon my recent experience; I'm here to tell you that anyone of these players is pale in comparison to what I faced the other night. As I hinted in my previous blog, over this past weekend I played hold-em at the Las Vegas Hilton. Although I was not fortunate enough to play against a Klingon, I did play against a couple of Starfleet officers and a Vulcan. (Since the Vulcan was not in uniform, I can only assume he was not in Starfleet.)

Within the first 30 minutes or so, I had a pretty good read on the Starfleet officers. Not because of my excellent skill at reading an opponent, but more because of their lack of skill at the poker table. This fact, coupled with they both being humanoid, made reading their play a simple task.

However, my real challenge came in trying to read the Vulcan. First of all, I had nothing to compare against. Admittedly my interaction with Vulcans is limited, but at the risk of being politically incorrect, they all look alike to me. They all have pointy eyebrows, pointy ears, and bangs. Not to mention that none of them ever show any emotion. They all have that same sour puss expression on their face. I have my own theory as to why they always look that way: "If you could only have sex once every seven years, you too would have that same expression." (Thank goodness, I still have 5 more years before my expression permanently changes)

For about the first 2 hours, I was doing OK, although I hadn't been dealt any "big hands", I was still able to increase my chip total by $200. Which isn't bad in a $3 - $6 limit game. During this period, I never played heads-up with the Vulcan, and most of my winnings were at the expense of the two Starfleet officers.

Then "The Hand" was dealt. I was the big blind with pocket Queens. Starfleet Officer #1 (SF1), who was on the button (Dealer) raised before the flop, I smooth called. There was 6 way action including the Vulcan, who was in middle position. The flop came Kh, Qc, 3h. I checked, knowing that SF1 would bet, which he did. I raised, 3 other players called, and the turn came the 6s. I again checked, SF1 bet, I raised, SF1 reraised, and I capped. The river came 6h, I bet, SF1 raised, I reraised, then out of nowhere, the Vulcan capped. A sickening feeling came over my stomach. After observing Mr. Spock for 2 hours I knew he was to good of a player to just have a flush, I couldn't believe that after the flop he would call a double bet with just pocket 6's, so I put him on pocket Kings. Sure enough, while I flopped a set (3) Queens, Vulcan flopped a set of Kings. During the entire hand, the only time the Vulcan initiated any action was to make the final raise. He let me and SF1 make the pot for him. I thought I was slow playing the hand and setting the trap, while all the time I was the one being played and out trapped.

Now I don't want to sound petty or mean spirited, but I thought the United States Congress was suppose to take care of this illegal alien problem.

"To Boldly Go Where .... "

It never ceases to amaze me on how many important "life lessons" can be learned or simply reinforced by playing the game of poker. Take me for example. If you have read my 2 previous blogs, I bet you would lay at least 4 to 1 that the last place I would play poker this weekend is the Las Vegas Hilton poker room. Well if you had made that bet, I think you are about ready to lose.

You might ask: "After trashing the room why would Mr. VegasSheep go back there again? Believe me after my last visit to the room, I swore to myself: "Self, you will never go back to the Las Vegas Hilton poker room until they not only remodel, but also show a concerted effort to improve the running operation of the room." Little did I know that almost immediately after posting my last blog, I learned of a very important event (life shattering, almost) that was occurring this weekend (8-17 to 8-20) at the Hilton that would drastically change my opinion.

For those not aware: the Las Vegas Hilton is not only home to the most disappointing poker room in Vegas and Barry Manilow, but is also home to "Star Trek: The Experience." A place were two people in love can get their wedding vows renewed, or even get married by a minister dressed in full Starfleet attire, while standing on an "authentic replica" (their description, not mine) of the bridge on the starship, U.S.S. Enterprise. Prices for this privilege range from $350 to $550 for a simple Vulcan Vow Renewal, to a mere $3,000 for an Admiral's Wedding. Included in this deluxe package: you get an actual wedding performed by a minister dressed in a Starfleet uniform, intergalactic floral arrangements and music, and your choice of between 4 additional Starfleet officers, 4 Klingons, or 4 Ferengis to be in attendance at your wedding. You can also invite up to 45 of your closest friends to join you on this joyous occasion. (It is limited to only 45 additional guests because that is the maximum amount of people allowed on the bridge at one time)

It is no wonder then, that a Star Trek Convention is currently being held at the Las Vegas Hilton. They are expecting up to 15,000 trekkies to attend. You would assume (at least I do) that out of all these visitors, a fair amount of Vulcans, Klingons, Borgs, Cardassians, Romulans, and Ferengis* would be in attendance. Given all of these out-of-town guests, you would think some of them would be looking for a place just to sit and relax after their long flight. And what better way to relax then over a nice friendly game of Texas hold-em. And where is the nearest poker room to the convention? Right in the hotel where the convention is being held; the Las Vegas Hilton poker room.

I ask my legion of fan out there: How can I, Mr VegasSheep, an avid fan of the game of poker, pass up the opportunity to match my skills at the poker table against an alien life form. (Believe me, there is more truth to this than you think. If you have ever seen how some trekkies dress up for this convention, you would swear some are from another planet.) So if I'm fortunate enough, I may play against a Starfleet officer or 2, possibly a Vulcan or Ferengi, and if I'm really lucky, a Klingon. (Is it just me, or does anyone else think that a female Klingon warrior is hot?)

For the chance to go heads up against a Klingon, I am probably going to break my vow and go play hold-em at the Hilton this weekend. It's funny how fate has away to change one's preconceived course in life.

EPILOGUE: Continuing with my philosophical ending, I did some additional soul searching while proof reading this blog. It struck me that with the exception of checking for correct spelling, I really didn't have to do any research for the listing of the different Star Trek life forms* that I rattled off in the 4th paragraph. This kinda scares me. So with that in mind, I'm gonna take a break for a week or so from writing so I can: "Get a life."