Harrahs Poker Room

HLV Poker Guy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:40 pm **Posts:** 589

I'm there M-F day shift. I'll be more than happy to put up a list and get the game going. Spread the word and we'll make it happen!

minton · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:34 am

Hey HLV guy, thanks for getting involved in out little community.

I played in your room a few years ago, and will probably stop bye and check things out on my next trip (still not sure when it is though)

HLV Poker Guy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:40 pm **Posts:** 589

Hopefully, your next visit to the room you'll see some positive changes. The room has a lot of potential, and we're hoping to realize some of that potential. I've been here since early November.

We've got new tournaments (DeepStacks and SuperBounties), the regular HORSE game already mentioned, doing some physical improvements to the room, and just trying to make it a nice place to play.

Come on in, say hello, and let us know what you think!

Leo

morecowbell · **Joined:** Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:39 pm **Posts:** 139

Thanks for posting HLV Poker Guy. I've never played at Harrah's Las Vegas, but I'll stop by when I'm in town in a couple of weeks.

Ian · **Joined:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:16 am **Posts:** 1010

Quote:

Hopefully, your next visit to the room you'll see some positive changes. The room has a lot of potential, and we're hoping to realize some of that potential. I've been here since early November.

As far as positive changes go, is there any chance that you'll bring the rake back to the standard 10% to $4. A lot of poker players like myself don't want to give business to a poker room with a $5 rake... even on individual games at the room that carry a lower rake structure.

I know you're not personally responsible for the higher rake, but it would be great if you could communicate to the decision makers that the rake structure is costing Harrah's customers.

HLV Poker Guy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:40 pm **Posts:** 589

The hard reality is that the rake isn't going down. I could lie to you, give you some false hope. But it just isn't likely to happen.

I could give you all the reasons why the rake has gone up, and it probably won't matter. Folks have their minds set on what they think rake should be. Realities of business dictated the rise in rake.

I understand your feelings on it. I'd like to play at lower rake myself. By the same token, if the game is good, the rake isn't an issue.

On my side of it, I can offer some special games, some different options. But the overall maximum will not change.

But I do believe that it's important to note that the rate of rake has not changed. There are some who think we just flat out charge the whole rake every time. We still charge 10%, just like everyone else. The only change is the maximum. So, if the pot goes to $50, it's an extra dollar.

Again, I understand your feelings about the rake. But I do hope you'll at least try the room before writing it off completely.

ddmacRN · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:48 pm

Hey HLV,
Just wondering how the 1-2 games are during the day in the middle of the week. I will be there next week and am looking for somewhere to play like 2pm-ish.
thanks,
Darrin

HLV Poker Guy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:40 pm **Posts:** 589

ddmcRN,

Lately, 1/2 games have been stronger than the limit games. Most days, there's a game round the clock. Games do get a little weaker at tournament times (11am in particular) as players enter the tournament.

Today is a prime example. Had 2 NL games at 10:00a, dropped to one at 11:00 when the tournament started. By mid-afternoon, it's usually in the 3-4 NL game range.

In a nutshell, you shuld be able to find a good game when you're here. Make sure you let me know who you are!

Ian · **Joined:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:16 am **Posts:** 1010

First off, thanks for posting here.

Quote:

I'd like to play at lower rake myself. By the same token, if the game is good, the rake isn't an issue.

I respectfully, but strongly disagree with this. In a good game the rake is more of an issue since more pots get max. raked. Since 1/2 NL games are pretty much soft as a rule, the extra dollar ends up taking a lot of cash off the table.

Quote:

On my side of it, I can offer some special games, some different options.

I think it's great that you're trying to start up more non-hold 'em games with better rake structures, and I wish you success with these games even though I personally don't want to give business to Harrah's properties with bad rake structures on other games.

Quote:

I could give you all the reasons why the rake has gone up, and it probably won't matter. Folks have their minds set on what they think rake should be. Realities of business dictated the rise in rake.

I'm actually very curious to hear more about this. I've had a couple conversations with the former manager of a Vegas cardroom. His room had (and still has) a $3 rake and is pretty small, yet the room cleared impressive profits before, during, and after the poker boom (just under 1/2 million in '06). I suppose he could have been lying, but I'm inclined to believe him. Was this room's business experience substantially different from the Harrah's properties that raised their rake? I understand if you can't, don't want, or aren't allowed to discuss this issue, but I think it's an interesting one that can be discussed in a civil manner... either here or in a new thread.

Best of luck to you...

psand · **Joined:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:16 am **Posts:** 4334

There are very good reasons why the harrah's property needed to raise the rake.

one is so that they can hire quality floor staff. Now nobody knows where they send the quality floor staff after they hire them, but they must be somewhere - certainly they aren't flooring in the Las Vegas cardrooms.

The other reason must be because they care so much about their dealers that they need the money to help pay for their medical insurance. Of course since they keep large numbers of their dealers as part-time and ineligible for benefits this shouldn't cost much.

Oh now I realize what they need the extra money for, its to pay for sending their staff around to make sure that their barely employed extra-board dealers aren't trying to support themselves by working a second job in another poker room.

Disclaimer -- this post has been written by a disgruntled ex-Harrah's Employee.

Harrahs Poker Room

Who is online