11/11/99 thursday
casino viejas is about 25 miles east of san diego, just east of the alpine exit, north of interstate 8. it's a new casino, across the street from a very large outlet store, where you can buy hundreds of name brand clothes for discount prices. it's a busy place.
the poker room is along the side of the casino, far away from the slots, but it's a pretty noisy place, anyhow. this was my first experience in a long time with california "aaiiiiyah!!!" ;) the room has about 25 tables, most of which are in action at 2 pm on a thursday. they offer various games at various limits from 2/4 on up. seating control procedures are pretty good, and i didn't see any board listing for anything higher than 6/12. cash does not play, and they use the forward moving button rule. they've got bad beat jackpots and random seat giveaways. the ceilings are medium-high, but the ventilation is pretty good. although this is california, smoking is allowed in this casino, and i conclude that the indian casinos are not subject to the state-wide "no smoking" rule. table service is available.
i'm immediately seated at a 2/4 hold 'em game....almost immediately move to a 3/6 game....and again almost immediately get a seat in a 4/8 game. there are plenty of gambooooolers at my table. :/ the entire big blind of $4 is taken before the deal for the $3 rake and the $1 jackpot. dealers are pretty good, keep their own tips, and are pretty friendly.
when you first enter the club, you can join the players club. when you join, you get ten points, and earn one point for each hour of play, at any level. points are redeemable (3 points = one dollar) for food and gifts. the only hands i play for the first 45 minutes were my unraised big blinds. then, i had ak suited in late position, raised, got five callers, flopped an ace with two of my suit, bet it all the way, and made the flush on the river. aces would have been good. 45 minutes later, i win a kill pot with a jack-ten suited on the button by flopping a broadway. lots of action. :) i then win my own kill by flopping a small set. :D
i book it, and splurge my accumulated points on spring rolls and salad. i've got another date! :)
[ tiger trips down the road to the Sycuan Casino ]
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Kenneth R. Churilla