Grandfathered in (betting minimums) (1 Viewer)

[Bloody Marvelous]

I don't often play games against the house, but I felt like giving the Tropicana a go in poker yesterday only to find out that they don't have a poker room (anymore).

So I came across Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and with $5 bet sizes I figured I'd give it a go. No sooner had I sat down and joined two other players, and the minimum bets were raised to $10. Which got a conversation started on how, why, and when they change these betting minimums.

I'd never really given it much thought, and figured that tables always opened at predetermined limits and stayed that way. Apparently I was wrong. They often open tables with lower minimums to draw players in early in the day. Then when business is picking up they raise the minimums. Those players already at the table are "grandfathered in" and will be allowed to continue betting for the original lower minimum, but new players will have to play at least at the new minimum bets.

So I was sitting there, happily betting $5 on each bet for hours and hours after the minimum had been raised.

When it comes time to close down tables, betting limits will be increased again to discourage new players to join that table, often to $15 or more and let the action die down naturally. This to me was somewhat of a revelation, because I'd never thought about this.

So the lesson is: If you want to play blackjack or Pai Gow or whatever other table game, get in there early before they raise the limits. You'll make your dollars last longer .

 

[atomiktoaster]

I've had table limits raised while playing blackjack a few times. I wonder if there's a computer making those decisions or if the pitboss just goes by feel. Probably depends on the size of the casino.

 

[snooptodd]

The only time I've been to Binions, I sat down at a $5 Pai Gow table and got grandfathered in when the limits got bumped to $10. About an hour later, some guy sat down at the table and decided to bank against me and the 1-2 other people at the table every other hand. It ruined what had been a fun community atmosphere, and I got up and walked away 10 minutes later.

 

[Mental Nomad]

The casino floor is going to have fixed staff... the number of dedicated dealers, breakers, floor people. pit bosses, etc., was decided a couple weeks ahead when the shift schedules were given out.

The shift supervisor's job is to spread the games and limits that will make the most action - limits too low, and you have tables full of low-profit action. Too high, and you have very few players - and even some high-action players are turned off by the vibe when there's no "crowd." So it's all natural ebb and flow, including the changes of the limits to ease into and out of peak periods.

One note, though: not everywhere will grandfather you in at the current limits, so don't bank on that.

 

[atomiktoaster]

One note, though: not everywhere will grandfather you in at the current limits, so don't bank on that.

Really? I'd get up and leave the table on principle if that happened.

 

[Mental Nomad]

In Atlantic City, it's common for the floor to come by with a new sign for the higher limits, place it next to the current sign, and give all the players a heads-up that, for example, "in 30 minutes, at 9pm, this table will be going up to a $25 minimum," or whatever. Plenty of notice - and some people do leave when 9pm rolls around - but there are usually people taking their place.

 

[H|Q]

At the Cosmo, we were shooting dice at $10 a game. Not long after that it went to $25, not long after that it went to $50, then $100. The whole time we were grandfathered in and killing it!

People were coming up and trying to get in on the action but they table limits were keeping people away. We were the only ones there for a long time. We left and walked past the table about an hour later. Table limit was $10.

 

[ovo]

I don't often play games against the house, but I felt like giving the Tropicana a go in poker yesterday only to find out that they don't have a poker room (anymore).

So I came across Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and with $5 bet sizes I figured I'd give it a go. No sooner had I sat down and joined two other players, and the minimum bets were raised to $10. Which got a conversation started on how, why, and when they change these betting minimums.

I'd never really given it much thought, and figured that tables always opened at predetermined limits and stayed that way. Apparently I was wrong. They often open tables with lower minimums to draw players in early in the day. Then when business is picking up they raise the minimums. Those players already at the table are "grandfathered in" and will be allowed to continue betting for the original lower minimum, but new players will have to play at least at the new minimum bets.

So I was sitting there, happily betting $5 on each bet for hours and hours after the minimum had been raised.

When it comes time to close down tables, betting limits will be increased again to discourage new players to join that table, often to $15 or more and let the action die down naturally. This to me was somewhat of a revelation, because I'd never thought about this.

So the lesson is: If you want to play blackjack or Pai Gow or whatever other table game, get in there early before they raise the limits. You'll make your dollars last longer .

I heard Trop changed ownership. So there is no more poker there ???

 

[Bloody Marvelous]

I heard Trop changed ownership. So there is no more poker there ???

No, they closed it down. Apparently they thought it didn't create enough revenue.

 

[Mental Nomad]

No, they closed it down. Apparently they thought it didn't create enough revenue.

Just to be clear in the thread - I believe you're talking about the Tropicana, Las Vegas, not the Tropicana, Atlantic City - the Trop AC web site still says they're spreading poker.

 

[ovo]

So Tropicana LV is no more ????????????????????????????????????????? What's it called now

 

[Ronoh]

So Tropicana LV is no more ????????????????????????????????????????? What's it called now

The poker room. They closed down the poker room.

 

[BGinGA]

So it's now called the empty room.


Although it's probably full of slot machines....

 

[ovo]

thanks for the info

 

[Poker Jedi]

So Tropicana LV is no more ????????????????????????????????????????? What's it called now

the tropicana was bought by penn national the owner of the M and the hollywood brand casinos So they may rebrand it at some point.

 

[MaxB]

When I went to the LV Tropicana last December, I went to get a couple chips for my display case (I have all their versions since the 70's) ..... cashier said they were not allowed to sell to me but said it smiling. I laughed and said seriously? The other two cashiers smiled and said yes. So I put the cash down and they just look at it. I say, you really are serious, and he said yes, the owner told them all not to sell any chips for collections but there are other ways. I said could I get from a table, and they said nothing. Bought a couple chips off a table with no issues

Never heard anything like that before...... I am giving them a few bucks with no chance of winning it back.

 

[H|Q]

Never heard anything like that before...... I am giving them a few bucks with no chance of winning it back.

Gaming Commission will not allow the sale of checks for that purpose. They are to be used for gaming. That was the reason the $8 Chinese New Year chips are no longer made. People were just collecting them and not putting them in play.

 

[H|Q]

So it's now called the empty room.


Although it's probably full of slot machines....

That is correct. This was one of my favorite holes to play in. The poker room is now filled with Tourny Slots.

 

[badpokerplayer]

After dealing and flooring for the better part of 11 years I can tell you that it's not a complicated formula. When the action is there, you raise the limits! Get the most money in play, sure you get some people that stay on games "grandfathered", but everyone else playing the higher limit will make up for it. Also, as the night goes on they raise limits to try to close games that they don't have coverage for when GY comes in.