What A Clown Show The Lodge Has Become (1 Viewer)

[Anthony Martino]

I wasn't a fan of the GM they let go, he became arrogant very quickly and from everything I've heard of how they were operating under his regime, it wasn't very good.

But, he was recently let go, and I've noticed a significant uptick in dealers asking players if they want to straddle, and when all-in asking if anyone wants to "do business" (i.e. run it multiple times)

This is a big no-no in the industry. Dealers should NEVER influence players actions. I spoke with an individual I won't name, but who is a pretty big deal at The Lodge, who vehemently disagrees with me and feels none of these are "influencing players actions"

In addition, I've heard from multiple sources I trust that dealers are being instructed to do these things.

Some people are not cut out to operate card rooms. Powerball Jeezus, let me win Powerball and show them how it's done.

 

[CptainCanuck]

I'd like to speak to the General Manager.

 

[Anthony Martino]

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I'd like to speak to the General Manager.

I chortled

 

[LeLe]

when all-in asking if anyone wants to "do business" (i.e. run it multiple times)

I not sure about the straddle part but isn't this very common for dealer to ask?

They want to confirm it before proceeding with the runout, unless the poker room / casino specific on against running it more than once

 

[Anthony Martino]

I not sure about the straddle part but isn't this very common for dealer to ask?

They want to confirm it before proceeding with the runout, unless the poker room / casino specific on against running it more than once

No, this is influencing players to take actions that affect the hands.

The dealer can pause, rap the table a few times, to indicate they are about to deal the next card.

This gives a player time to speak up if they wish to run multiple times.

But thwy should NEVER directly suggest it or inquire of it.

Dealers are meant to remain impartial and neutral

 

[Taghkanic]

Re.: Influencing action:

This is more obviously egregious, but I was at a Rivers table with a dealer who was the chatty kathy type — keeping up a constant patter, both about the game and other topics such as sports betting.

One grating thing he kept saying was “You gotta be in it to win it” (an old NY Lottery slogan).

Finally I got into a situation where this became an issue. I shoved all-in on the river heads up. The villain was tanking and in obvious agony about the decision.

Dealer [looking at villain]: “You gotta be in it to win it!”

I shoot him a glance, but say nothing since the guy is still tanking… and I was semi-bluffing on a scary board with just top pair / bad kicker.

Fortunately the guy folded what I assumed was a better hand. But afterward I said to the dealer, “Please don’t influence the action like that.”

Dealer got all huffy and said he couldn’t have done anything to induce a call, since the guy folded. Not the point.

 

[Taghkanic]

[duplicate post sorry]

 

[Anthony Martino]

This is more obviously egregious, but I was at a Rivers table with a dealer who was the chatty kathy type — keeping up a constant patter, both about the game and other topics such as sports betting.

One grating thing he kept saying was “You gotta be in it to win it” (an old NY Lottery slogan).

Finally I got into a situation where I shoved all-in on the river heads up. The villain was tanking and in obvious agony about the decision.

Dealer: “You gotta be in it to win it!”

I shoot him a glance but say nothing since the guy is still tanking and I was semi-bluffing with top pair / bad kicker.

Fortunately the guy folded what I assumed was a better hand. But afterward I said to the dealer, “Please don’t influence the action like that.”

Dealer got all huffy and said he couldn’t have done anything to induce a call, since the guy folded. Not the point.

Oof, that's rough. We get a lot of dealers who bet on sports, so they get distracted by the game on tv instead of the game they are actively dealing

 

[Taghkanic]

Honestly I feel legalized sports betting in my state is ruining poker in multiple ways.

1) Distracted players. Always on their phones making bets, checking ridiculous parlays, etc.

2) Nonstop chatter about sports bets. You know… How they only needed one more leg last Sunday in their 17-leg parlay, but someone missed a field goal, causing them to miss out on a $250K payday—so rigged!

3) Lost regs. Former steady attendees in home/private poker games dropping out for months (or forever) because they blew their whole bankroll on sports betting all weekend from their couches.

 

[Anthony Martino]

Honestly I feel legalized sports betting in my state is ruining poker in multiple ways.

1) Distracted players. Always on their phones making bets, checking ridiculous parlays, etc.

2) Nonstop chatter about sports bets. And how they only needed one more leg in their 17-leg parlay but someone missed a free throw causing them to miss out on a $250K payday—so rigged!

3) Lost regs. Former steady attendees in home/private poker games dropping out for months (or forever) because they blew their whole roll on sports betting all weekend from their couches.

I dunno, a player focused on the game can be a tell they aren't interested in their hand (or vice versa)

 

[Taghkanic]

I dunno, a player focused on the game can be a tell they aren't interested in their hand (or vice versa)

True. Can also be used as a fake tell, btw! I might have done that once or twice…

But I’d gladly give up the occasional tell in exchange for not having nearly every poker game dominated by sports betting chatter.

Anyway, sorry to derail from the Lodge. My main gripe with their televised feed is how the place is brightly lit up like a surgical theater. Plus the goofy decor reminds me of Romper Room. Like it’s for kids. How about some dignity, intrigue and adult atmosphere instead?

 

[Anthony Martino]

True. Can also be used as a fake tell, btw! I might have done that once or twice…

But I’d gladly give up the occasional tell in exchange for not having nearly every poker game dominated by sports betting chatter.

Anyway, sorry to derail from the Lodge. My main gripe with their televised feed is how the place is brightly lit up like a surgical theater. Plus the goofy decor reminds me of Romper Room. Like it’s for kids. How about some dignity, intrigue and adult atmosphere instead?

It's better than their main room, which looks like a dirty bingo hall. Absolutely zero passion or thought/care went into the design. You should see the new TCH Austin location, what a beautiful room they have. Too bad the games are so tight there.

 

[Taghkanic]

It's better than their main room, which looks like a dirty bingo hall. Absolutely zero passion or thought/care went into the design. You should see the new TCH Austin location, what a beautiful room they have. Too bad the games are so tight there.

Found some pics here:

https://professionalrakeback.com/live-poker-venues/texas-card-house-review-north-austin-tx

 

[Taghkanic]

Meanwhile, the Lodge main room I guess? … This looks like a call center for cold dialing seniors to pressure them to invest in penny stocks

 

[Anthony Martino]

Meanwhile, the Lodge main room I guess? … This looks like a call center for cold dialing seniors to pressure them to invest in penny stocks

View attachment 1527946

This, dingy shit brown

 

[LowerBama1714]

This, dingy shit brown

View attachment 1527947

The chips suck at most (if not all) TX card rooms…

 

[Anthony Martino]

The chips suck at most (if not all) TX card rooms…

Unfortunately Paulson won't sell to them because the market is unregulated, so it leaves lesser choices for chips.

Not to mention, most of these clubs don't really factor in chips, comfortable chairs, quality tables, etc.

As nice as TCH is, they went with black felt for their tables, but 100 chips are black. You should really go with a bright blue, imo, given the chip colors in play, to ensure that nothing is going to blend in and not be seen.

Lodge has that awful brown/tan color, but at least you can clearly see chips of all colors on it.