Hooters

I have things all backwards, I suppose. I've read that solid cash game players are really only looking to play less than 10% of their hands and that getting involved in one decent pot an hour is not uncommon. Well, my cash game play suffered for the third consecutive night, and it wasn't because I was outplayed or uncomfortable at this table. I seem to accumulate minimal chips in small pots and then get sucked out on one big hand each hour.

I played 1/2 No-Limit at the Hooters Casino just after picking up the rental car. I've been here before, and wasn't really impressed, but I hadn't eaten all day and wanted to pick up a souvenir. The poker room seems to have been a bit of an afterthought here. It used to be three little tables tucked into a small room back by the sports bar area, now they've added a couple of more tables just outside the room in the isle way beside the players club desk. The tables are smallish and fit only 8 players comfortably. A couple of the dealers that I saw last time were there early on, but the graveyard staff was much better. I had been turned off by the dealers attitude on my last visit. I never want to be the grumpy guy in the box that complains all the time and seems ungrateful. Then a breath of fresh air came in later. This kid's name was Andy, and he seemed to do everything right. He asked for names and chatted up the table without delaying anything. He thanked every tip and made eye contact in a way that you knew he was sincere about his gratitude. He was super quick and the table woke up because of it. The first time someone seemed rushed, he paused and said "You guys take all the time you want with your decisions and all, its just my job to make sure the rest of this is done quickly." I tipped him just for saying that. When someone forgot to tip, or caught up on a later hand, he'd say "No problem, every dollar is appreciated." On a couple of hands where everyone folded, he shuffled and got the cards out and action started well before the shuffle-master was ready for the next deck (and sort of made a game of it). The kid had it down, and I don't think he made a single mistake. An older guy named Pete (with an east coast accent) was also very good, and the floor lady was pleasant, efficient, and helped out running two tables without a brush, stepping in to deal a few hands, bringing a fill with her, etc. It really was nicely run and if I go back to Hooters for poker, it will certainly be during the graveyard shift.

This room allows smoking and food at the table. Drink service was fairly regular and she brought the comped drinks in larger cups than I've gotten anywhere. The $5 poker chips are a brilliant collector come on. There is a new chip each month with a calendar girl on them. I had been collecting $1 chips from all the places I play, but had I accomplished a winning session, I would have cheerfully stuck a few of these away in my pocket for friends. Maybe next time.